Michael Del Zotto - 20th overall (1st round) - Defenseman. Oshawa Generals (OHL)
The Rangers got a slider again. A year after grabbing Russian wiz-kid Alexei Cherepanov another player that many thought would be gone well before the #20 slot fell into the Rangers' lap. Del Zotto was once touted as a can't miss top-10 pick. While he had a slow-start to the season, his fall may be more aptly contributed to the rise of the like of Doughty, Bogosian, Schenn, and others. Del Zotto is an offensive defenseman and there's no two-ways about it. As good as he is offensively, he may be worse defensively. At times, he gets caught watching the play rather than initiating it. In the future he looks to be a power play quarterback. While it doesn't plug an organizational need (Bobby Sanguinetti is a similar player) the Rangers brass most likely went for the best player available.
Derek Stepan - 52nd overall (2nd round) - Center. Shattuck St. Mary's (Minnesota HS)
The area where Stepan excels is his creativity with the puck. Stepan became more defensively responsible this past year, becoming a top penalty killer for Shattuck. The biggest knock on him right now is he needs to get bigger, but he'll be given ample time to do so as he will attend the University of Wisconsin next year and should remain there for at least two years before making the jump to the AHL or NHL.
Evgeny Grachev - 75th overall (3rd round) - Center. Yaroslav (Russia-3)
Big power forward needs to improve on his skating in order to be effective at higher levels. His stick skills and accurate shot would be better served if his lateral movement was better.
Tomas Kundratek - 90th overall (3rd round) - Defenseman. Trincec (Czech Republic)
He's a guy who doesn't do anything especially amazingly, but doesn't do anything terribly either. Plays his best when he plays simple.
Dale Weise - 111th overall (4th round) Right Wing. Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Overager had 29 goals for the Broncos this year and followed it up with 13 points in 12 play-off games. Weise is a gritty winger with leadership capabilities.
Chris Doyle - 141st overall (5th round) Center. PEI Rocket (QMJHL)
Point-per-game player in the QMJHL, Doyle's skating may hurt him in the future. He displays a good arsenal of passing and shooting skills, but he is not a great mover.
Mitch Gaulton - 171st overall (6th round) Defenseman. Erie Otters (OHL)
Selected 6th overall in the 2006 OHL draft, Gaulton hasn't lived up to his belling since then. But, Gaulton can get the puck out of the zone effectively and has a howitzer. He has a physical side as well and would be better suited as a stay at home defenseman unless he can show better judgment when joining the rush.
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