Trying to predict who the Rangers will draft is a challenge. As we have reported, the Blueshirts have a habit of making unconventional choices by selecting players that others have ranked much lower. There is one common denominator when you look at almost all of these picks.
NHL Central Scouting ranks all of the top prospects just before the draft. They also provide a mid-term ranking. Most of the Rangers first round picks have shown dramatic improvement in the Central Scouting rankings from earlier. The only exception was Lias Andersson who was ranked the third best European skater in both the mid-terms and finals.