Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

New York Rangers Would Be A Good Landing Spot For Erik Karlsson

04/07/2018 at 5:17pm EDT

from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

The Rangers GM is in good shape after initiating a brisk teardown. It was painful for the Original Six franchise to deal away Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, and Michael Grabner. But Gorton and his scouts are happier to have picks bulging from their pockets. At the draft in Dallas, the Melrose native could be winded following the five visits to the podium he could make in the first two rounds. At the same time, depending on how he approaches his restricted free agents, Gorton could have $10 million-plus available to pay Karlsson beginning in 2019-20.

It’s possible Gorton could follow former colleague Don Sweeney’s direction in 2015, when the Bruins kept all of their six picks in the opening two rounds. Or he could package some of those selections and dangle them in Dorion’s face. Ottawa has just one pick in the first three rounds: Pittsburgh’s No. 1 pick, courtesy of the Derick Brassard trade. Dorion desperately needs to get back in the draft game. Gorton can help him do so.

Karlsson would be an excellent No. 1 right-side defender ahead of Kevin Shattenkirk. Karlsson, perhaps in partnership with Brady Skjei, could help the Rangers gain traction in their rebuild. Karlsson would be another good example for Swedish teenager Lias Andersson, the No. 7 pick from 2017, to follow. Broadway can always use another star.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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