Trading the Tenth
Most of you that have been around the Banter for awhile know that my posts are usually based on statistics and are meant to prove something one way or the other. This one, though, is the result of a boring job that has left me plenty of time to think. The title of this all gives it away; I think Glen Sather and the Rangers organization should seriously consider and aggressively shop their tenth overall selection going into the Draft this weekend.
If the Rangers keep the pick and select whomever their choose, I'm sure because of the depth of this year's draft it seems as though the player will contribute nicely some years down the road. Do I like the idea of passing up on such a probable result? No, but I think if done right the Rangers could squeeze more out of their first-round pick than just keeping and selecting a prospect.
Join me after the jump for more.
My logic is as follows. The Rangers sit at the tenth position in a draft that looks like the top 5 to 7 players will be extremely core players for their teams five years down the road. John Tortorella has already come out and asked Sather publically to not kill the farm system as he looks to improve the roster. So, we can basically cross out moving up the board unless one of the top 9 teams is looking to move down, which would go against Torts' words.
The second option is to make a selection at the tenth position which will leave us with a promising prospect one way or the other who will have to spend at least one if not two years back in juniors or in the AHL. Over the last five seasons these players have taken the 10th spot in the draft:
Ø 2009: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (EDM) - A skilled winger with size who still has to prove himself in North America.
Ø 2008: Cody Hodgson (VAN) - Smart and with hands like butter should be a solid center for the Canucks for years to come. Likely one more year of development though.
Ø 2007: Keaton Ellerby (FLA) - A solid potential all-around d-man who skates well yet is still in the minors. Concerns about consistency plague him.
Ø 2006: Michael Frolik (FLA) - 40+ points in his first two NHL seasons, Frolik should be a force for years on the right wing.
Ø 2005: Luc Bourdon (VAN) - A budding young d-man taken from us going into his prime late in May 2008.
When I look at this list, a couple of things jump out at me: 1. With the tenth pick the Rangers could easily acquire a top-six forward or top-four d-man who will need a season or two to develop like I said above. 2. Reason number one is exactly my argument for as why the Rangers should try to trade the tenth selection.
Look; when the Rangers came back after the lockout and improved immensely under Renney all of us we're so grateful for playoff hockey again this was the major success. But, as we have moved further away from 2005, the Rangers momentum in terms of improvement on the ice has since peaked and is heading the wrong direction. The roster is a good solid two years away from a more different/ youthful look, and with Henrik Lundqvist and Marion Gaborik not getting any younger Glen Sather must squeeze as much out of his expendable assets as he can in order to improve what he has now. I feel as though that the tenth pick, given its track record the past five years and the draft in front of us, could yield NHL ready talent that could help the Rangers get back to a top six eastern conference team.
Nothing is more frustrating to me than seeing the Rangers stuck in neutral (7th through 10th) because mediocrity is quickly forgotten. With the right deal, its possible that Sather could pick up a solid left-winger, a second or fringe-second paring d-man, or possibly dump salary at the same time. My point is, unless the blueprint is going to be scrapped and the Rangers are going to re-build, why not try and make some bold moves that will help us in the immediate future? It seem as though the Devils and Flyers aren't going to wait around.
So, am I that bored at work? Is this really possible? Am I crazy for moving one of the higher picks the Rangers have had in years? Let's hear it.
