The Rangers have the tenth overall pick in the draft, and while some writers think the Rangers will draft a goalie (for some unknown reason), the Rangers most pressing need at the NHL level is a scorer.
One scorer who ranks high, but might indeed fall to the Rangers at #10 is Russian winger Vladimir Tarasenko. The 5’11 202 lb RW is in his second season with the KHL, and has put up a line of 13-11-24 in 42 games. Considering the KHL’s seniority type playing time, that is a pretty impressive total for the very young winger. Tarasenko, a left-handed shot who plays on the off-wing (a rarity in the NHL), has an absolutely lethal shot. The ability to shoot off the pass while playing the off-wing will help him become a feared sniper in the NHL.
Tarasenko isn’t just a sniper. His superb hands, which are a big part of his deadly shot, also make him a deft passer and stick handler. These attributes make him a premier all-around offensive machine in the draft. The young winger is also very strong on his skates, making him tough to push off the puck. His acceleration to top speed needs work, but if that’s the only flaw in his offensive game, it’s something any GM will gladly take a risk on.
What might make Tarasenko drop to the Rangers at #10 is his “signability”. Like most players in the KHL, a transfer agreement with Tarasenko’s team (Novosibirsk Siber) would have to be set up to ensure that the winger can come state-side to play in the NHL. With this transfer agreement comes the questions of Tarasenko’s desire to play in the NHL, and leave Russia.
Regardless of the transfer-agreement status, Tarasenko is one of the top offensive talents available in the draft this year. The Rangers have showed no hesitance in drafting transfer-agreement problem players (Alexei Cherepanov, RIP). Should he slip to the Rangers at #10, you can expect the Blueshirts to jump on this talent, and spend whatever is necessary to ensure he plays in the NHL next season.
Image Credit: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America
The Rangers may again find themselves in a unique position at this year’s draft. Much like in 2007, when Alexei Cherepanov slid to the Rangers at #17 due to sign-ability problems, the #2 international skater Vladimir Tarasenko may slide to the Rangers at #10 this year. Much like Cherepanov, Tarasenko does not have a transfer with Russia. Tarasenko, the closest skater to a sure thing outside of the Hall/Seguin in the draft, may find that this transfer agreement causes his draft stock to slip, as teams don’t want to gamble on him.
In terms of skill and production, Tarasenko deserves the #2 international skater ranking. The 18 year old RW, who plays the off-wing (he is a left handed shot), is putting up great numbers in the KHL with the Novosibirsk Siber, with a line of 13-11-24 in 42 games. That may not seem like much, but considering the seniority style of play in the KHL, thus severely limiting the young Tarasenko’s ice time, those are solid numbers.
The HockeysFuture blurb about Tarasenko’s skating ability is hard to ignore:
A dynamic and unbelievably skilled offensive player, Tarasenko is as dangerous as they come around the puck…and away from it for that matter.
Tarasenko is decently sized at 5’11 200 lbs, and according to Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting, “very effective around the net with his excellent overall skill level and vision. He is a strong, mobile skater with a quick shot. He is not only a sniper, but also a good passer and playmaker. There are no real weaknesses in his overall game and he will be one of the most interesting prospects at the draft.”
The Rangers will luck out if Tarasenko does indeed drop in the draft due to transfer agreement issues. He is truly an elite talent in the draft. He is incredibly gifted offensively, but plays a two-way game and can find the open ice with relative ease. The Rangers organization, in addition to lacking any elite talent, is incredibly weak at the RW position. The Rangers have shown in the past that they are not worried about a lack of transfer agreement, so if he is available at #10, you can expect the Rangers to sprint to the podium to call him name.
S/t to Adam Rotter at SNYRangersBlog.
