The New York Rangers now have the first overall pick and the 22nd selection in this year’s NHL draft following the New York Islanders’ advancement to the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night.
It’s not every day that a win by the team’s arch-rivals could be a positive for the Blueshirts, but then again this is 2020 so nothing should be surprising this strange season.
The stage is set.
In addition to No. 1??, we’ll be selecting at No. 2??2?? in the 2020 Draft. pic.twitter.com/oXR6A11Wu2
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 6, 2020
Had the Islanders lost game 7 to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Rangers would have held the 23 selection in the first round.
The Rangers own the Carolina Hurricanes first-round selection this year as part of the trade that sent defenseman Brady Skjei to the ‘Canes prior to the trade deadline in February. The virtual NHL draft is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10.
Draft order
Selections 1-27 are now set;
- Rangers
- Los Angeles Kings
- Ottawa Senators
- Detroit Red Wings
- Senators
- Anaheim Ducks
- New Jersey Devils
- Buffalo Sabres
- Minnesota Wild
- Winnipeg Jets
- Nashville Predators
- Florida Panthers
- Carolina HurricanesÂ
- Edmonton Oilers
- Maple Leafs
- Montreal Canadiens
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Devils
- Calgary Flames
- Devils Â
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Rangers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Colorado Avalanche
- Washington Capitals
- St. Louis Blues
- Ducks
Picks 28-31 will be filled by Tampa Bay, New York Islanders, Vegas, and Dallas based on where they finish.
General manager Jeff Gorton and team president Joh Davidson now will have to decide what to do with their second first-round selection. Some options are to use the pick to move up in the draft, include that pick with some current players or prospect and acquire a center or defenseman, or use the pick to select a prospect available.