In anticipation of the Rangers' first No. 1 selection of the draft era, General Manager Jeff Gorton answered your questions about the draft, the club's strategy, its biggest needs and its expectations. Enjoy the Front Office Mailbag, presented by GEICO.
Have you had any initial conversations with Alexis Lafrenière and if so, what have those been like?
Jeff Gorton: We're really impressed with him. We've had a few Zooms with him. Obviously we've done our homework on him. We've talked to a lot of people around him, and he's a really humble kid that gives credit to everybody around him. He's a good family kid. He works really hard. He's really focused. Obviously he's in a different situation where he's been considered a high pick for a very long time; that's now extended into a few more months, so it's a little bit of a crazy process for him. But I think a lot of the kids in the top part of the draft, they're all great kids - really focused on what they're trying to do, and we've been nothing but impressed.
Are there specific needs you want to address in this draft?
Jeff Gorton: I think all teams probably have something they want to change. I think we talked a little bit when we came out of the bubble about how disappointed we were with with how we played, and we have to address some things. So we're certainly looking at our team every day and talking to teams and seeing what we can do to address those needs. I like the way we play. I like the way we try to play a fast game, a skill game, and I don't think we want to change that. I think we could add. If you look at the team that wins it all in Tampa and the adjustments they made to be a better team and to win in the playoffs, I think that we're pretty mindful of what they've done and have to keep an eye on that also.
Gorton Answers Questions Ahead of 2020 NHL Draft
Front Office Mailbag presented by GEICO
Have any teams called to inquire about whether you would potentially trade the No. 1 pick?
Jeff Gorton: I've taken calls on it; that's the job. We'll listen to anything. But we're comfortable picking first overall for the first time in our history, really, so we look forward to Tuesday. I'll always take the calls, but I would say our eyes are on taking the pick right now.
Are you keeping the pick?
Jeff Gorton: Tune in at seven o'clock Tuesday and we'll tell you exactly what we're going to do.
Do you think you'll use all 10 picks you have?
Jeff Gorton: I think similar to the past, we'll look to do some things. We've had several picks over the last few years and if we can find a way to help our roster now and maybe get an NHL player for a pick or something, we will look to that. If there's other scenarios where we have to move down in the draft and move up in the draft to package picks or get more picks, we'll look at all those scenarios. But similar to what we did last year to move that [second] first-round pick to get Jacob Trouba, I would think we'd be looking at all those scenarios right now, right to the end.
Why is it important to keep your plans for the pick under wraps?
Jeff Gorton: I think that it's basically our jobs in hockey, is to look at everything. We have a few more days so you know why. There's really no need to go out and announce anything, you know, a month or two in advance. When something could come down the road and we'd have to discuss it and we'd have to go back on what we said publicly so I think it's just really doing our due diligence. As we lean forward, why not take as much time as we can. I believe in that and that's, that's basically what we've what we're going to do.
How do you plan to integrate the top pick into your lineup when the time comes?
Jeff Gorton: That's a good question. I think what we learn with young players is that they're all different. In some cases, they're more ready for that kind of role than others, but you have to be very careful about penciling them in to certain spots and your top six or whatnot. So I think training camp, when it comes, will go a long way to tell us where our young players are and whether they're ready for certain roles. It's no different than with Kaapo Kakko -when he comes back, is he going to be ready for that role? That'll be up to him on the ice and coaching staff and how they feel with him and how far he's come. So you're always hoping and wishful that these guys are ready for certain things, but ultimately, on the ice, we'll let those guys dictate where it ends up.
Will the draft be more difficult this year because you're not on the draft floor with other teams and their personnel and can't communicate with them as easily about potential trades or moves?
Jeff Gorton: It's definitely going to be a challenge, more so than walking over to the table next door and talking trades. But I would say also, it's been pretty active the last few weeks. We've all watched the other drafts and other leagues and saw there weren't a ton of trades on the Zoom drafts, so I think everyone's aware and alert and I think there's a lot more chatter right now as we head into the draft, so we'll see how it turns out.
Does the fact that free agency comes two days after the draft affect your plans for either the draft or free agency?
Jeff Gorton: I don't think it's really any different. It's jammed tightly, but in general, when we're drafting in June and free agency is July 1, it comes pretty quick there. But I would say to you that in general, what we do on draft days is unrelated to free agency. You're talking about drafting 17, 18, 19 year olds - kids - so our focus is on getting the best ones where we're picking. Then from there, we'll pick up in free agency and see if there's some players out there available that can help us now. So it's hectic. A lot of work here ahead of us as we're moving towards it, but like every other team in the league, we're all doing the same thing and playing by the same rules.
What's your take on the free agent market?
Jeff Gorton: I would say it's to be determined. Usually you have a better feel for the market and the players, and at some point there was a period where you could talk to players, but now you don't have that, so I think a lot of it is to be determined. As Friday comes around, we'll have to make our calls and talk to agents and see what's available and see the cost and do all this stuff, but I would say there's good players available, like always. There's a market where the cap is is flat, and we're all trying to figure out how that's going to play into free agency, so that's, I would say, TBD. We'll figure it out.
What is your plan with your restricted free agents?
Jeff Gorton: We have a few more days to decide that and to have a final decision on qualifying offers. So I'd like to take a few more days before I answer that question. We'll take a few more days - we have that.
What is your plan with Jesper Fast?
Jeff Gorton: Free agency is getting closer and closer, so I would say that we'll continue to try to see if there's something there and to keep him here, but certainly possible he does hit the open market.
Are you looking to upgrade on defense at all?
Jeff Gorton: I think we have to look at our defense. Obviously, losing Marc Staal creates a hole, and I think that internally, I think we have a couple candidates there that that can give a push. But I also do think we need to be out there looking to see if there is some help out there as well, whether it's a trade or free agency.
