NEW YORK – The New York Rangers have a second pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Regardless of what happens at the second pick, this draft will be a huge success.
But making the first round a real boom for the Blueshirts will be selecting the compliment to their number two selection.
Despite the rebuild effort on Broadway and a 2018-19 season with a roster of young players with little NHL experience, the Rangers were not eliminated form the playoff race in October as many had expected.
In fact, the club was relevant right up until the late stages of the campaign and contested each match.
Are they playoff ready? Hardly.
Are they competitive? Certainly.
Whether they select Kaapo Kakko or Jack Hughes with the second pick is irrelevant. Either player will be NHL-ready in October.
As discussed with the number two selection, the Rangers need a great deal of talent, and need less of the over paid, underwhelming veteran staff on the roster.
New Rangers president, John Davidson, was hired in May and will almost certainly be in the market for selecting the best available player that fits the needs of his club.
Davidson has already committed to the organization’s rebuilding efforts and no one should expect a big push on retread veterans. So, looking at the 20th selection possibilities there are still a number of quality, talented players available.
One of those prospects is Samuel Poulin who has been rated in the 20 to 30 class by most prognosticators and scouts.
Poulin is in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Sherbrooke Phoenix.
Poulin has been a left wing for the Phoenix and led the team in scoring in the regular season with 29 goals and 76 points in 67 games. He stands 6’2″ and weighs in at 206 pounds so he already has much of the size he will need for an NHL stint.
His skating skills had been suspect but most scouts have raised the ranking on this side of his game over the year, giving Poulin credit for working on the deficits. Puck management, smarts, and overall abilities are high for the winger.
Where Poulin, 18, has been sharpest is his shot. He has been labelled a pure sniper.
Whether he can bring NHL-ready play to his size and abilities will be a big question for any club that drafts him.
But a sniper, to compliment either Hughes or Kakko, would seemingly flourish on Broadway.
If the Rangers can improve his foot speed and use his leadership qualities to drive his further development, then the Blueshirts will have a second gem with their second pick.
“With the 20th pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Rangers select Samuel Poulin from the Sherbrooke Phoenix, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the clock.
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