NHL mock draft: How all-time greats fit 2018 needs

The New York Rangers have three first-round picks. They’ve already gotten a franchise center in Jean Beliveau. So let’s get them a franchise defenseman. How about one the Rangers are familiar with in Brian Leetch?

During his career, he won two Norris Trophies, both of them on Broadway. Leetch is perhaps most famous for his outstanding performance in the 1993-94 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It took an impressive performance for him to take the Conn Smythe away from Mark Messier after his guarantee, but with 11 goals and 34 points in 23 games, Leetch pulled it off.

He also won the Calder Trophy in his rookie season (1988-89). Leetch was named to five All-Star teams and played in nine All-Star games. His 1,028 points are eighth all-time among blueliners. Among those with 750 games played, Leetch’s 0.85 point per game rate is the fifth-highest.

With one of the best defensemen of all-time, the Rangers rebuild would be off to a great start. Factor in Beliveau and they might have the quickest rebuild in recent memory. What’s better? The Rangers still have one more first-round pick to rebuild. We’ll get to them a little bit later. But even if this was it for them, getting Leetch and Beliveau would give the Rangers a heck of a core to build around.