Joe's Reaction of the Week: 2026 Draft Grades
The 2026 Rangers draft class is in the books. Here's a full breakdown of every pick and trade—including one grade that might surprise you.
We're back, baby! Welcome to the second (but really, seventh) edition of Blueshirt Banter Draft Grades!
Here is a link to my grades from last year, and below is my grading criteria.
The grading is based on a few things:
- The player themselves,
- Their location in the draft, and
- Their selection spot against their ranking.
Obviously then someone getting an A+ in later rounds isn't saying that the player is a sure thing, just that the selection is incredible value for where it happened.
One thing to add is, in years past, I also grade trades that occurred. That was not an issue last year, but this year there were some major trades, so they are included as well.
To the grades!
Trade: 2026 First Round Pick (26th overall), 2026 Third Round Pick, and a Top-10 Protected 2028 First Round Pick for Pavel Dorofeyev
Grade: A++++
Am I even legally allowed to put four +'s after an A? Well, this is my site and my rules, so I do what I want.
Seriously, though, what a slam-dunk, grand-slam, no-brainer win for Chris Drury. Dorofeyev is a 25-year-old sniper who scored 27 goals for Las Vegas last year, and then another 12 goals in their Stanley Cup Final run.
To get him without sacrificing the fifth overall pick—which, in hindsight, I probably would have done—was a masterstroke from Drury. I don't care how much you hate the man, you have to tip your cap to him here. Not only did he acquire a game-breaking sniper the likes of which the Rangers have not had since Marian Gaborik, he did it by sacrificing a late first round pick in a weaker draft class, and a top-10 protected first two years out where Drury hedged his bet in the event the team is still bad and/or has time to recoup assets there.
Pavel Dorofeyev, acquired by NYR, is a top line sniper with a sick shot, sparkling off-puck hockey I.Q., and an underrated defensive conscience. Not a puck dominant player but makes the most of his touches. pic.twitter.com/ID0lze5OTZ
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 26, 2026
Pavel Dorofeyev is a New York Rangers. Dorofeyev is a very good two-way winger with an excellent shot. Very curious about the return. But if it will be a package around 26th pick, this could be a good deal for the Rangers. We'll see. pic.twitter.com/Ll5MT40uR8
— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) June 26, 2026
Oh, and by the way, the man is a defensive menace, as well. Just a perfect trade from Drury here.
The 7-year, $11-million contract doesn't give me a second of hesitation. Not a millisecond, either. This is the cost of doing business in the new not-flat-cap NHL, and he is worth every drop of that contract.
