1) Chris Kreider - 6-2, 217 - C - It's been a while since the New York Rangers have produced a real offensive star forward but this youngster has the goods and he has a knack for playing at his best in big games. He was a first rounder and he should live up to the billing and then some. During this past World Junior Championships he was named Team USA's Player of the Game following the win over Switzerland and was a wiz on the power play. He has a well above-average wrist shot looks to be an important offensive tool for the Boxford, Massachusetts native. He should get a real chance at making the big club next year. With all of his international experience plus college playoff dramatics including a Frozen Four win and an appearance in the outdoor game he should really make a pretty big splash with the Blueshirts.

2) Ryan McDonagh - 6-1, 213 - D - This first-rounder was a teammate of Derek Stepan at Wisconsin and maybe they will be teammates in New York for the next decade if all goes well. When the Rangers traded Scott Gomez to Montreal, in my opinion, this was the biggest part of that deal. It's been a while since the Rangers have had a true stay-at-home defenseman and he can be that guy, and he'll chip in a little offense as well. He has toughness and terrific hockey sense.
3) Carl Hagelin –5-11, 176- LW - Smart kid, positions himself well on the ice. Can score. Gifted skater, fast trigger. Has an offensive killer instinct. Finds the open spots in the offensive zone to score. Big year last year. Needs to bulk up a bit. Can score anywhere on the ice. Needs time to turn pro and then try to make the big club.
4) Jesper Fasth –5-11, 165- RW - (6th round pick by the Rangers in 2010) has the ability to get around the defense and go end-to-end to create offense for Sweden. A +12 this season which is impressive against men and he had three points in 7 playoff games.
5) Christian Thomas – 5-9, 166 – RW - Small, weak, has great work ethic, drive and scoring touch. Is he strong enough to play in the NHL? Wayne Gretzky would have been as well. Son of Steve Thomas. “Hockey strong” according to Gordie.
6) Ethan Werek - 6-1, 199 - Center - The Rangers know that this kid has talent but you can't rush him even though he's been putting up great numbers with Kingston under the tutelage of former NHL sniper Doug Gilmour. He has high praise for the kid. He's a big kid and he's still growing. He possesses an excellent skill set, works hard, great shot from the slot, has a fast release and trails the play well without the puck. He's good on the power play and he needs to get faster. Historically the Rangers have done very well for themselves with their second round picks and Werek is no exception. Not sure what his time table is before he's playing at MSG so be patient.
7) Ryan Bourque –5-9, 168 – C - excellent skater, has a scoring touch. Very slight frame. Has performed well in international competition and in the “Q” but will he ever be more than an AHL player?
8) Dylan McIlrath –6-3, 210 - D – WHL, Moose Jaw. Decent defender, has to work on his positioning. Not sure he has any real offensive upside. An intimidator. Why did he fight?
9) Mats Zuccarello –5-7, 174 - LW - good skater, good passer, can get into small areas to score. Not strong, very slight frame. Trying to get used to playing in North America. No points in 2 AHL games.

10) Evgeny Grachev - 6-4, 222 - C - He's a big kid with a lot of confidence. I was one of the few who interviewed him at the draft in 2008 and he told me he possessed some of the same skills that Evgeni Malkin has. He's a good skater, but has to get faster, he can play defensively responsible hockey and he can score from the slot besides being able to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Big kids take a bit more time to develop so he may need additional time in Hartford.

The organizations top goalie prospect is Scott Stajcer. So they are in need of a future top-flight goaltender in this draft. I am leaning towards (not decided yet) Nicklas Jensen going to the Rangers in the 15th spot. Good all around player, sniper ability, great skater, could be tougher but is a real top line winger. He has elite potential and when you are picking 15th you have to take a bit of a risk, he also plays for Oshawa, with Christian Thomas, so the Rangers have a connection there as well with Adam Graves. He’s a 6-3, 187 pound Danish player. He is the 21st ranked North American player.