NHL mock draft: Final projections for every first-round pick

26. New York Rangers – D Rasmus Sandin

With the New York Rangers’ second pick in the first round, they will pick up a defenseman. The Rangers have needs everywhere as they begin to start their rebuild. They will have the opportunity to get a dynamic forward at the beginning of the draft. The bottom half of the round they can address their future on the blue line. Brady Skjei has come into his own as a top pair defenseman and will be the future of the Rangers. There are a few other young pieces in the organization that are capable of playing depth positions, but Rasmus Sandin will give them a major boost.

Rasmus Sandin had anything but a conventional path to the first round. He started the year playing professionally in the SHL in Sweden. Not far into the season, he packed his bags and headed to Canada. He joined the talented Sault Sainte Marie Greyhounds team. Sandin was instantly one of the best defensemen on the team, and his draft stock rocketed. Playing against people his age made a big difference. Sandin blended in perfectly, his great skating and hockey sense mixed with elite passing made him one of the best defensemen in the OHL.

Sandin was able to rack up an impressive 45 points in 51 games for the Greyhounds. As most prospects do at his age Sandin must improve his defensive game. He can make up most of his misreads with his skating ability but as the competition gets betters that advantage will diminish. Sandin will return to the OHL and the Greyhounds next season. It will be a great opportunity to lead the team, fine-tune his offense and bring his defensive play to the next level. The Rangers just might have found a great defenseman in the making late in the first round.