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The Rangers, in rebuild mode since 2018, have
made substantial progress. New York could pair Lafreniere with
winger Kaapo Kakko -- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft
-- and Artemi Panarin. Panarin, acquired as a free agent in July
2019, had 95 points (32 goals) in 69 games this season.
"Really good news," Lafreniere said in an interview on NHL
Network. "Rangers are an unreal team with really good players
and a really nice city. So, for sure it's really good news, and
I'm really happy."
The NHL held its initial draft lottery in June, which included
the seven teams that did not qualify for the expanded 24-team
tournament, as well as one placeholder pick for one of the eight
teams that lost in the qualification round.
The placeholder pick won June's initial draft lottery, which
forced the second -- or Phase 2 -- lottery drawing on Monday.
Each of the eight teams eliminated in the qualifying round had
an equal 12.5 percent chance of being chosen for the No. 1
overall pick on Monday.
The Rangers, eliminated 3-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes in the
qualifying round this month, had the ball bounce their way. The
Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs,
Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota
Wild each also had a 12.5 percent chance to win, but instead
will now be slotted 9 to 15 in the draft order.
Prior to the draw, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league
felt the format was the best for competitive balance.
"Under these unusual circumstances, this made the most sense,
and was fair," Bettman said. "Despite who you root for and what
results ultimately it obtains."
The Los Angeles Kings were awarded the No. 2 pick in the initial
draft lottery in June, and the Ottawa Senators will select
third. The Detroit Red Wings, who finished the truncated regular
season with 23 fewer points than any other franchise, slid to
fourth.
The NHL hopes to hold the draft on Oct. 9-10. The draft must
follow the end of the Stanley Cup Final, but take place before
free agency opens.
Lafreniere, 18, led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with
112 points in 52 games before the season was canceled because of
the coronavirus pandemic. He earned the Canadian Hockey League
Player of the Year award for a second straight season, joining
Sidney Crosby as the only two-time winner.
--Field Level Media
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