Since 2005, the Rangers have drafted five defensemen in the first round: Marc Staal, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Del Zotto, Dylan McIlrath, and Brady Skjei. Marc Staal and Brady Skjei are the only two left on the current Rangers roster. Skjei has steadily risen up the depth chart and plays the second most minutes per game on the team.
In that same time frame, the Rangers have had three head coaches: Tom Renney, John Tortorella, and Alain Vigneault.
Whether they were victims of coaching systems, injuries, or a combination of factors, most of the Rangers’ first round draft pick defensemen did not live up to their potential.