Draft Day Eve

As we approach Draft Day 2009, I am left with an empty feeling. History has shown that draft day is often a thud for the NY Ranger Organization. Sure, we have had a few big time hits ( Leetch, Richter, Staal and Lundqvuist all come to mind ), but the old saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

So what do we have to REALLY look forward to come Draft Day. Two words - SALARY DUMPING.

Its time for Lord Sather to start dumping of the Salaries of Redden and one of the 3 amigos ( Gomez, Drury or Rosival ).

Theres a ton of rumors circulating out there. Once we get confirmation here at Up in the Blues, we will be sure to post it. For now , here are some prospects the Rangers should be looking to get...

1 - Zack Kassain - Scouting Report
NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards: "Kassian is one of the toughest guys in the OHL and probably the entire draft. Last season as an under-ager there were overage guys in the league who would not take him on. He has not fought much this season (because) he has not had to. He is at his best when he is playing physical and tough along the boards. He protects the puck very well and fights through checks. He has very good play-making and puck-handling abilities."

2 - Carter Ashton - ranked No. 12 by NHL Central Scouting in its final rating of North American skaters, led the Hurricanes with 30 goals, including 10 on the power play, and was the team's fifth-leading scorer with 50 points. A solid 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he starred at the NHL Scouting Combine. Ashton had the highest average grip strength, at 156 pounds for each hand, and had the highest push strength at 352 pounds.

"Power forward, power forward, power forward," said E.J. McGuire, the director of NHL Central Scouting. "He works the corners, works the front of the net, all the tough areas, with skill. He had 30 goals and 20 assists, and his 93 penalty minutes shows he's not afraid to mix it up. If those people try to move him out with authority, he asserts his right to that kind of territory. He has great focus and he finishes checks. Carter Ashton is going to be a power forward in the National Hockey League."