After winning the NHL's draft lottery on Aug. 10, the Rangers earned the opportunity to select consensus No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere.

Naturally, general manger Jeff Gorton has fielded many calls from other teams looking to trade up for the No. 1 pick. However, it seems that he feels confident in staying put and using the pick to build the team for future.

"I've taken calls on it, that's the job, we'll listen to anything," Gorton said. "But, we're comfortable picking first overall for the first time in our history, really. We look forward to Tuesday. I'll always take the calls. I would say our eye is on taking the pick right now."

Lafreniere has been the favorite to go No. 1 overall, as the 18-year-old wing from Quebec is full of star potential. He's been dominant over the past two seasons for the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and also in international play with Team Canada's U18 team.

Gorton spoke about the team's relationship with Lafreniere as they've gotten to know him more recently.

"We're really impressed with him," Gorton said. "We've had a few Zooms with him. Obviously we've done our homework on him, we've talked to a lot of people around him. He's a really humble kid who gives credit to everybody around him. He's a good family kid, he works really hard, he's really focused.

"Obviously he's in a different situation where he's been considered a high pick for a very long time, that's now extended into a few more months. Little bit of a crazy process for him. ... We've been nothing but impressed."

Lafreniere, who plays left wing, would join a roster with two very good left wings already in Artemi Panarin and Chris Krieder. Gorton was asked about that situation, and how the team would adapt.

"I think what we learn with young players is they're all different," Gorton said. "In some cases, they're more ready for that kind of role than others. But you have to be very careful about penciling them in to certain spots and your top six. Training camp, when it comes, will go a long way to tell us where our players are, and where our young players are and if they're ready for certain roles."

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