2/8/24 | Larry Brooks says that the Rangers first round pick in 2024 is “in play” and said “the concept is ludicrous.”
2/6/24 | This year’s NHL Draft will be held at the James Dolan/MSG owned Sphere in Las Vegas and according to Darren Dreger at TSN, that will impact some of the Rangers potential trade deadline plans.
Dreger said “The New York Rangers would like to add a forward, I’m told they did make an offer at Elias Lindholm but that offer clearly wasn’t accepted. James Dolan, the owner of the Rangers wants to protect the 2024 first-round pick so that the Rangers can be part of the spotlight at the draft in the Sphere, because Dolan is also the owner of the Sphere in Vegas. It doesn’t mean that Chris Drury can’t use another first-round pick, maybe in 2025 or acquire one, but the Rangers want to be part of the spectacle in Vegas.”
Adam Rotter: It makes sense, to a degree, that James Dolan would want his team going up to the podium at the draft in his state-of-the-art building. It’s a showcase event and Dolan will want himself, his team and his venue to be showcased. Now is it worth holding on to your first-round pick if it means passing on a potential difference-maker at the deadline? Probably not, but I’m also not sure who that difference-maker would be. This also wouldn’t be the first time that a team wanted to hold onto their pick because they are hosting the draft.
The answer lies probably in the middle. My guess is that James Dolan likely wants to hold onto the pick for the above reasons, but would be okay moving it if it was for someone who could potentially put the Rangers over the top or who is signed past this year. Vladimir Tarasenko, as a rental, seemed like that player last year, but, again, I don’t see who that player is this year.
I also think that this could be where some of the rumors around Kaapo Kakko are coming from. While Kakko is in his fifth season, he’s only 23 and still seems like he would have the potential that someone would want instead of a first round pick. But I don’t think Kakko is really on the table unless it’s for someone youngish, mid-20s or so, signed through at least next season and possibly longer. Again, I think it comes down to who is potentially available. My guess is that James Dolan would prefer a Stanley Cup to walking on stage to draft a teenager.