New York Rangers Draft 2021

2021-09-13

After an expansion draft and a flurry of trades leading up to the 2021 EHE Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs were officially on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick.

Well Rangers fans, it’s been one hell of a week huh?

We just landed 2nd overall pick 2021 EHE Entry Draft.

FIRST ROUND

2ND OVERALL:

2020-21 TEAM: Djurgårdens IF (#71)
DATE OF BIRTH: October 12, 2002
PLACE OF BIRTH: Haninge, Sweden
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 172 lbs
SHOOTS: Left
POSITION: C/LW
DRAFT RANKING: 1st overall

Possibly one of the hardest-working players in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, William Eklund’s size hasn’t really come into question when scouts have talked about his game. In fact, his work ethic might be the most telling part of his game. Sure, he’s smaller, but the effort put forth combined with his hockey IQ makes him one of the more dangerous players in the game which could be why some have him ranked first overall ahead of Owen Power and Matthew Beniers.
He’s an offensive threat whenever he touches the puck and his ability to open the ice for other players makes him that much tougher to play against as an opposing player. He sees the ice like few others and his ability to control the puck allows him to enter the offensive zone and exit his own end with control – developing plays at both ends of the ice.

Been a fan of Eklund all year. Knew it would be a longshot to even look at him at the draft. Kept talks going about first few picks and when Philly acquired 4th overall from Montreal - this was red alert situation all around as I was almost sure he is going after Eklund. After talking to Tommy, he was draft day decision on his 4th overall which made even more sure about Eklund so I turned to Edmonton. After a bit of back of forth we agreed on a deal that would send 12th overall, 45th overall and d prospect Kaiden Guhle to the Oilers to help the starting rebuild. Eklund was always the target here after hearing rumours Maple Leafs are set on Owen Power. When Joe Bubanj took the floor and announced Power as 1st overall, we couldn't be more happier. Eklund was becoming a Ranger.

23RD OVERALL:

2020-21 TEAM: Leksands (#24)
DATE OF BIRTH: March 15, 2003
PLACE OF BIRTH: Stockholm, Sweden
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 161 lbs
SHOOTS: Left
POSITION: LW/RW
DRAFT RANKING: 10th overall

As a player, Rosen is a shoot-first type of forward with an effortless release and the ability to score from all areas of the ice. Despite the goals showing up more often on the score sheet than the assists, he’s seen as an elite playmaker who has a knack for finding open lanes in heavy traffic areas. He also has deceptive, explosive speed, which makes him a threat for getting breakaway opportunities, and soft hands to complement these breakaways. Rosen without a doubt has the potential to be a top-six winger in the NHL, and I’d go as far as to say his ceiling is a top line winger. Because he’s good defensively, I wouldn’t put his floor at any lower than a third liner. He definitely has the potential to be an impact player in the NHL.

Been talking to the new guy Matt in LA about couple of players so there was mutual interest before draft to get something done. He wanted a goalie and was interested in pick #12 and we kind of agreed to this deal as long as the player x is there or not. When 12th overall rolled around we made the call to league offices in San Jose, California to get this deal approved and when we ended up with 23rd overall from this deal. Isak Rosen was 10th on our draft board so we were jumping for joy when he fell. We consider Bolduc and Olausson in here but thought Rosen has higher ceiling.

27TH OVERALL:

2020-21 TEAM: Everett Silvertips (#48)
DATE OF BIRTH: September 10, 2003
PLACE OF BIRTH: Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 174 lbs
SHOOTS: Left
POSITION: D
DRAFT RANKING: 13th overall

There’s a lot to love about Zellweger’s game. He is an explosive and mobile defender who can shut down and choke out attacks in the neutral zone. He uses his smaller stature and speed to his advantage, which will win him most foot races to loose pucks. He has proven over the last two seasons in Everett that he is a supreme passer in the WHL, not to mention that he uses his cannon of a shot to bury the puck. Zellweger’s offensive traits are going to outweigh the size issue that some teams may hold over him. He has the potential to become a top-four defenceman who will eat up a lot of minutes on the power play. He continues to improve as each season passes, and with a never-quit attitude, he will have a distinguished career as an NHL blueliner.

Traded Alex Tuch to Arizona for this pick and prospect Jaret Anderson Dolan. Zellweger was 13th on our board and we think he has one the best offensive insticts from the backend in this draft class. We felt he was going to be picked soon so we wanted to sweep in there and pick puck moving defenseman and then fact that he wasn't even 18 when we picked him made this even more attractive.

MEET THE CAST

SELECTION:

Second Round – #49 overall - Filip Lindberg, G
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 3rd ranked goalie

Lindberg was drafted in 2019 by the Minnesota Wild following an impressive freshman season (along with a backup role on Finland’s gold medal winning WJC team). His stats only improved from there to end up in the record books as the best goalie in UMass history. In 2020-21, Lindberg was downright dominant with a 10-1-4 record and a .949 save% and stingy 1.24 GAA and led UMass with four shutouts in the NCAA tournament, including the last two games of the season. Overall, in three games of the tournament he played, Lindberg surrendered just one goal, and naturally going 3-0-0.

SELECTION:

Second Round – #53 overall - Janis Jerome Moser, D
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 4th ranked defenseman

Moser’s first two seasons with EHC Biel weren’t really anything to write home about, at least offensively. He finished the 2018-19 season with seven points in 43 games and had nine points in 40 games in 2019-20. That’s completely changed this year, as Moser has taken a massive step forward in his development. He finished the 2020-21 season with 30 points in 48 games, good for seventh in the league in scoring among defensemen, and was also named team captain prior to the season. The only Swiss defenseman to have a better season than Moser at his age is Roman Josi. Given the fact that he’s only 21 years old and playing in a league with grown men, having the honour of being awarded the captaincy speaks volumes about his character and leadership values. He’s become an all-around, bonafide all-situations defenseman for his team.

SELECTION:

Second Round – #54 overall - William Stromgren, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 22nd ranked forward

Strömgren is an agile skater who can accelerate with his feet and elude opposing players. This means that he often creates a wide amount of space between himself and defensemen in order to create a scoring chance. He uses his hands effectively as he approaches the net, often changing the angle of his shot at the last moment to fool goaltenders. Trickery makes up a big part of his overall game, especially when faced with a clear one-on-one situation. Strömgren is a deceptive player and forces the opposition to guess on his next move. This trait will be particularly useful to have in the NHL, and being a trickster makes him unique in terms of his own style of play. His skating, agility and speed also help him to avoid players, which subsequently makes him a powerful forward.

SELECTION:

Second Round – #55 overall - Danila Klimovich, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 19th ranked forward

Klimovich is a highly creative goal scoring forward with an NHL caliber shot and a compete level that is off the charts. He also knows how to finish his chances, which is something that can elude a lot of players striving to be consistent offensive producers. All in all, he has all the skills of a top line forward, which makes it hard to believe that we are just discovering him a couple of months away from the draft. I guess if he was playing in a more prominent league like the KHL or MHL, we probably would have known about him sooner. All in all, Klimovich’s name is one to keep an eye on, as he could become a steal in the first few rounds. North America could be seeing more of him in the coming seasons too, as he was drafted in the 2020 CHL Import Draft by the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda. If he does ultimately come over from Belarus, I’m sure he will quickly become a household name, that is, if he isn’t already.

SELECTION:

Second Round – #58 overall - Dylan Duke, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 31st ranked forward

Good finisher with a strong release who excels as a net front presence despite his small stature. Needs to add pace to his game but has potential as a middle six goal scorer at the NHL level. Duke’s shot is his best tool, bar none, and he knows it. His wrist shot release is so quick and powerful, and he can pick his spots at will. His aforementioned one timer isn’t super heavy, but it’s accurate enough that it doesn’t matter.

SELECTION:

Second Round – #63 overall - Tyler Angle, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 32nd ranked forward

Tyler Angle made the jump from the OHL to the AHL last season, playing 23 games for the Cleveland Monsters. Angle impressed during his time in Cleveland as he averaged more than a point per game, putting up 11-13-24 with two penalty minutes. Angle led the Monster in points, tied for the team lead in goals, and finished tied for second on the team in points. Angle had a very solid season in his first year in the AHL.

SELECTION:

Third Round – #67 overall - Pavel Gogolev, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 32nd ranked forward

Gogolev loves to do most of his damage in the offensive zone. He has a wicked shot and is not afraid to use it. He can beat you to the outside or if given time and space, he can cut back and rip one under the bar. He is not afraid to battle bigger opponents and has shown that he is good in the corners. He has good vision and has a knack for finding his teammates out of nowhere. Get open and Gogolev will find you.

SELECTION:

Forth Round – #103 overall - Joshua Roy, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 28th ranked forward

Joshua Roy knows the pressure that comes with lofty draft status. He was selected by the Saint John Sea Dogs with the first overall pick of the 2019 QMJHL Draft after dominating the Quebec Midget AAA level with 38 goals and 88 points in just 42 games. While Roy has yet to experience that same dominance in the Q, the skilled center did post 16 goals and 44 points in 60 games in Saint John last season. That same year, he was named to Team Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he collected two goals and two assists in five games. He has great hands and is a high-end passer. With the puck on his stick he stands out consistently with how many plays he can make through defenders and to his teammates.

SELECTION:

Fifth Round – #135 overall - Simon Ryfors, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 36th ranked forward

Most of the scouting reports describe Ryfors as a hard-working player, who plays every shift with a high energy level and is very good at forechecking. Earlier this year Geo even compared him with Yanni Gourde and given Gourde’s departure, this signing makes even more sense. The Lightning will definitely need to rethink their third line, after all of the players (Gourde, Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow) left the team in the summer. Simon Ryfors could be one of those players to replace them given his similar style of play.

SELECTION:

Sixth Round – #166 overall - Aatu Jamsen, F
NYR PRE-DRAFT RANK: 37th ranked forward

Drafted out the the Finnish Junior Hockey system, Aatu Jämsen was a bit of a mystery pick for the Los Angeles Kings late in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft. But the young winger hasn’t missed a step since joining the Pelicans Under-20 team in the Junior A tier. Jamsen is a very crafty winger with raw talent that needs to be refined

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NEW YORK RANGERS DRAFT RANKINGS: