The NY Rangers will have the #22 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, in addition to the first overall. The 22nd pick will come from Carolina’s top pick in the Brady Skjei trade. This was finalized last night as the Islanders dominated a no-show Alain Vigneault Flyers team in Game 7 (sound familiar?). With the Islanders and Dallas Stars winning their series, the Rangers moved up from the #24 spot to the #22 spot.

The draft is crazy sometimes. When the pick was initially acquired, it was projected to be in the 28-31 range. The Carolina Hurricanes are a good team and they were a favorite to make it to the Conference Final. However they lost in the first round, ensuring the pick would be in the 20-24 range. With a pair of upsets in the second round, the Rangers moved up two spots. This was really a best case scenario for the Rangers.

The 22nd overall pick will have some weight when looking for a trade. Especially in a flat cap season. The Rangers turned the #20 pick last year and a bottom pairing defenseman into Jacob Trouba. Not saying that is in the cards for them this year, but a 1st round pick in this draft, plus a flat cap, has some serious value.

I’m still a believer that the Rangers will not use this pick. It will be used to upgrade the current roster, perhaps on a 2C or a 1LD. If not, then having another low-20s pick is good. The 2020 NHL Draft is a very deep one, and this bodes well for the NY Rangers.

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