TORONTO — Fifty-two years ago, when the NHL draft was in its infancy and most prospects had otherwise been assigned within the Original Six, the Rangers selected Brad Park with the second-overall pick in 1966 after the Bruins tabbed defenseman Barry Gibbs.
That represents the last time the Blueshirts had a top-three pick. Other than the 1-year-old Vegas operation, the Rangers are the only NHL team in the past half-century not to go one, two or three in the annual amateur meat market.
Odds are against that changing Saturday in the club’s first visit to Lotteryland, for in finishing with the eighth-worst record in the league, the Blueshirts have a 19 percent chance of moving up into the top three.