Rangers eye Russian wing Tarasenko with first-round pick

In the past three NHL drafts, only four Russian players have been selected among the 90 first-round picks.

The lack of a transfer agreement with Russia since 2005 and the debut of the Kontinental Hockey League in 2008 has turned many uncertain NHL teams away from drafting talented youngsters with high draft picks. However, the Rangers, who have the 10th pick in the draft June 25 and 26th, could grab Vladimir Tarasenko, described by one scout as "a poor man's [Alex] Ovechkin."

About 5-11 and 200 pounds, Tarasenko is an explosive 18-year-old right wing who scored 24 points in 42 games in his second year among older players and is ranked fourth overall by International Scouting Services. "We think quite a bit of him," team director of player personnel Gordie Clark said.

Born in Yaroslavl - the same city as current Rangers center Artem Anisimov - Tarasenko plays for Novosibirsk, the team his father coaches. He's said he wants to play in the NHL, but dad wants him to remain home for at least one more season.

On Wednesday the Rangers dispatched Vladimir Lutchenko, their Russian scout, to meet with the Tarasenkos one more time before the draft to determine their status and intentions. "He [Lutchenko] has been right on Anisimov and [Evgeny] Grachev and unfortunately, [Alexei] Cherepanov, on whether they would come over," Clark said. Grachev, the team's third-round pick in 2008, played for Hartford last season; Cherepanov, the right wing and a first-round pick at 17 in 2007, died from a heart condition during a KHL game in October 2008.

Tarasenko's world-class talent is exactly what the cap-strapped, low-scoring Rangers crave. If he's not on the board at 10, another forward might be tabbed. Among the possibilities:

Nino Neiderreiter. The 6-2, 205-pound Swiss left wing played for the WHL Portland Winterhawks and scored 36 goals with 24 assists and added 16 points in 13 playoff games. "Great year, a goal-scorer with a big body, going to be a good player," said Jeff Gorton, the Rangers' assistant director of player personnel.

Jeff Skinner. The 5-10 Markham, Ontario, center is the fastest-rising forward in the draft. He scored 70 goals in 60 OHL regular-season and 20 playoff games for Kitchener. "Pure offensive talent and a natural scorer. He's going to be a pretty high pick," Gorton said.

Ryan Johansen. Another Winterhawk with size, often compared to Carolina center Eric Staal. The 6-2, 192-pound Vancouver native fills a need at playmaking center. Had 25 goals and 44 assists in 71 games in his rookie season, and added 18 points in 13 playoff games.

Center Brett Connolly, who could drop from the top five because of injury issues, might also be under consideration.