When the NHL and Las Vegas prepared for expansion, they learned some important lessons from the past. Previous expansion drafts offered the likes of Nashville, Atlanta, and Columbus little talent from which to choose. Selling non-traditional markets on hockey was a tough job to begin with. Having to spend years just to build a competent roster only made things worse.
So the NHL has adjusted roster protection rules to make legitimate NHL talent available to Vegas. Teams with depth are going to have some tough decisions to make, and the Rangers happen to be a team with more forwards worth keeping than there are spots available.