The New York Rangers have developed most of their current core themselves. Through either great drafting in mid to late rounds, pro scouting in Europe and the NCAA, or trading for younger assets, they have managed to be a consistent playoff team with a great average age. With players like Brady Skjei and Pavel Buchnevich turning pro, the importance of drafting well is that much more evident.
The prospect pool in recent years has regressed some, with most of the talent graduating to the NHL. Not having a first round pick since 2012 has not helped their case, but the Rangers have managed to keep the youth alive by signing players out of Europe, like Alexei Bereglazov, and NCAA players like Jimmy Vesey and Neal Pionk.