Rangers May Shock with Bjorck at #5

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
On June 19th, the New York Rangers are holding the fifth pick in the upcoming NHL draft, and most folks figured they'd be grabbing a defenseman, because the top forward prospects are expected to be long gone. But some draft experts are saying the Rangers might actually snag a top forward after all, just not the one anyone saw coming. This Viggo Bjorck kid, a center from Sweden, wasn't even on the radar for a top pick until recently. He's on the smaller side, but he really turned heads at the World Junior Championship, helping Sweden win gold, and then he was the youngest player ever to suit up for Sweden at the World Championships, putting up solid numbers. His game really took off after that. He impressed at the NHL combine with his skills and confidence and his performance in Sweden's top league against older players showed he can compete. People are comparing his smarts and playmaking ability to guys like Sidney Crosby, which is pretty high praise.
The success of smaller players like Logan Stankoven in the playoffs is also making teams rethink size limitations. Plus, the Rangers' own general manager, Chris Drury, was a smaller player who overcame doubts to have a successful NHL career, so he might see.
Something special in Bjorck. With the Rangers needing a young center who can potentially play in their top six, Bjorck is looking like a real possibility at number five. If he pans out, it could be a huge win for the team, especially after some of their recent draft misses. New York Rangers News Today, powered by AI, bringing you when matters on the field and beyond.