2011 NHL Draft - Rangers Trade Evgeny Grachev, Draft Steven Fogarty
The New York Rangers did not stay quiet while waiting for their 4th round pick to come around, opting to move up to No. 72 in the draft by trading 21 year old C/W Evgeny Grachev to the St. Louis Blues. Grachev was the 75th overall selection in the 2008 draft. He played 8 games with the Rangers last year, recording no points and a -3. He also posted 38 points in 73 games for the Connecticut Whale.
The team then used the No.72 pick in the draft to select Steven Fogarty, a center from Edina High School in Minnesota. He is committed to attend the University of Notre Dame next year.
Here's what Minnesota Hockey Prospects has to say on Fogarty:
Plays a physical brand of hockey, grinding it out on the boards and getting dirty in front of the net. Bullies his way around the ice, excelling at playing a power game. Has the ability to finish in tight and pick up his fair share of garbage goals. Has pretty good hands for a big guy and can stick handle with the best of them. passing could use a bit more touch but this is not a glaring weakness. Does not have elite speed but is a mule on his skates.
The report from Kirk Luedeke of Bruins Draft Watch:
Still, there is a lot to like about this playmaking pivot who has a long stride and gets up the ice quickly. He has soft hands and superb vision for finding teammates in open ice. His work ethic is laudable- he wants to play and loves to compete; goes above and beyond to make himself better and put himself into situations that will put him in position to improve. He's raw and needs significant work, but will spend the entire 2011-12 season in the USHL. At 6-1, 195, he's got the physical tools to be a solid NHL prospect and watch for him to go relatively high (3rd-4th rounds) in the draft.
Those reports certainly read like someone in Gordie Clark's wheelhouse.
While we could talk alot more about Fogarty (and we will), the news here is that the Rangers traded away Grachev, a former #1 propsect in their system that has since passed on the depth chart by Chris Kreider and Christian Thomas. Grachev clearly did not show the improvement that the Rangers were hoping for, or the proper motivation. Grachev is still a very talented player, and the change of scenery may be what kicks him in the butt and gets him to achieve his potential. You have to question if a third round pick in a relatively weak draft is the best Glen Sather could've done in this situation.
What are your thoughts?
