After the 2016-17 season concluded with a postseason exit in the second round, the question surrounding the Rangers was, would its roster change from the past season? And, if it did, what would change?
Leading up to the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft (June 23-24) at United Center in Chicago, parts of the question were answered.
New York parted ways with veteran defenseman Dan Girardi on June 14. Girardi was a warrior on the ice. He played key minutes against the opponent’s best players and sacrificed his body to block shots, to go along with his physical play in the defensive end.
On the morning of day one of the draft, the Blueshirts made a deal that sent another member of their core away from New York. The team dealt center Derek Stepan and goaltender Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes for defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and the seventh overall selection.
