Ranger Director of Player Personnel Gordie Clarks spoke about why seventh round pick Mikhail Pashnin, the first pick in the KHL draft, fell all the way to pick 200. Courtesy of the great Beyond the Blueshirts:

“We’re glad that Pashnin is in our system,” Clarke began.  “We know that he was the first [pick] in the KHL [draft].  That became a deciding factor in our selection,” the Rangers’ draft day decision maker admitted.  “Why so low? Unfortunately, the risk that Russians will want to make a career in the KHL is still great,” he explained. “We still hope that Pashnin will play for the Rangers.  But we didn’t want to take too great a risk.  What if all of a sudden CSKA offers him more money and the guy stays in the KHL?”

Rotter: So the Rangers won’t be involved in one of those cases of smuggling a Russian player over to the US. Damn, I love those. Still taking Pashnin is a good move, the later rounds are made for taking international players with potential and hoping that in a few years they come over at a time where they don’t need much more seasoning. For more information look up Lundqvist, Henrik.