New York Rangers select Alexis Lafreniere
The National Hockey League typically holds their annual Entry Draft in late June, but this year has been very different from any other. With the Stanley Cup not being handed out until just last week as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the league was forced to delay the 2020 NHL Entry Draft as well until Tuesday evening.
Despite being postponed by nearly three and a half months, not much changed when the New York Rangers took the podium with the first overall selection. They had earned the right to select first overall, after winning the NHL Draft Lottery back on August 10th, when their ball emerged first. The Rangers did not shock anybody when they announced Alexis Lafreniere of the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic as their pick.
The 18-year-old was the overwhelming favourite to go first overall regardless of who had the pick, after putting up 112 points in 52 games and being named the QMJHL MVP for the second consecutive season.
“Throwing on a Rangers jersey, it’s pretty amazing,” Lafreniere said on-air, from his home, via Sportsnet. “Growing up, you dream of being drafted in the NHL and just being able to have an NHL jersey – and especially the New York jersey – it’s really unreal for me.”
It was the first time the Rangers ever had the opportunity to select first overall in an NHL Entry Draft, despite the fact they have been taking place since 1979. The Rangers couldn’t be more excited that the first time they did get the chance, they had the opportunity to select someone as talented and highly rated as Lafreniere.
“I think it’s how well-rounded he is,” said New York general manager Jeff Gorton following the pick, via Sportsnet. “Obviously when you go first overall, he’s got skill, the talent’s obvious, he can skate. But I think on top of that, it’s his work ethic and the physical play. He’s willing to do anything to win, putting the team first. You talk about five-tool players in other sports, we feel like he’s got all the tools.”
The Rangers were extremely fortunate to be able to select Lafreniere considering they had finished with the 10th worst record in the league. However, they had the opportunity to move up to top spot after they were eliminated from the play-in round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
New York wasn’t done building their roster on Tuesday night though as they also held the number 22 overall pick in the draft as well. Although, they ultimately decided to trade the number 22 pick as well as the 72nd overall pick to move up to the 19th spot where they selected Canadian defenseman Braden Schneider from the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.
While round one of the draft was concluded on Tuesday night, the remainder of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft will take place on Wednesday with rounds 2-7. New York has no second round picks and will not be at the podium again until late in the third round with the 92nd overall pick they received from the Dallas Stars.
