9:46PM: Gorton's full comments included (NYR):

On the 3 first round picks, "we intend to use them but they are in play. As of right now we will use them but if something comes up that will change."
On how important this is, "it's very important, 3 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds. We have a lot of opportunity to make our team better for the future, build pieces that we need. It's a vital time for us."
How excited are you, "You think it's a couple of months away but it goes fast. Our scouting staff has done a great job of going through the process and we are excited about what is going to happen."
"for the draft we think about the future, so be it if someone ends up on our team, that would be great but we are looking to find the best players for a long period of time. In particular about tomorrow, we are thinking about the future, not next season."
On skepticism about the rebuild, "we are going to investigate everything, that is what the job is, that is what we want to do. If there is an opportunity to get a player and the price isn't too high, we will look at it. For anybody that would be skeptical of a rebuild, all you have to do is look at the last few months and the trade deadline and some of the things we have done. I think it's pretty obvious we are trying to accumulate young players and assets and trying to get better and give these players opportunity."
Is there a lot of conversation, "there is, always at the draft. We have three picks and that is drawing interest, we have been in a situation where we didn't have a first round pick and weren't as popular but this time we have three picks and there are a lot of different scenarios we are looking at."
"If you said today, are you going to use them right now, yes, we don't have a trade in place, nothing is there that we are doing but on the floor, as the draft evolves and players are going and we like somebody, maybe we move up, maybe we move down, those are all in play and there are a lot of conversation right now."
Would you only go after a younger player, "it depends on your definition of younger player. We are not looking for a bunch of older players for where we are at. I think I have been clear that we can't have all 18-19-20 year old players. We need to have the necessary players on our team that can help these guys learn the game and help us do everything we can to win every night. I think that is pretty clear where we are at."
On the draft, "I do think it's deep, I think our scouts have said that since day one. Our pick at 9, we are really comfortable with what is there, and then later in the first round, we think there will be good players there. In the second and third round there is opportunity for us to find players."
On the coaching staff, "no, we are here talking about that right now. Hopefully soon but nothing close or imminent."
Did anyone not get a qualifying offer, "the only player that didn't get one was Tambellini."

9:06PM: Rangers GM Jeff Gorton met with the media in Dallas at the draft and said that the Rangers intend to use their three first-round picks but added that they are also in play. (NYR)

Gorton said, "as of now we're going to use them, but if something comes up, that'll change." (NYR)

He added that "as the draft evolves" and players become available, "maybe we move." (Dan Rosen)

Gorton said that it's "pretty obvious" that the Rangers are going to try to accumulate "young players and assets" and give those players "an opportunity. (Dan Rosen)

The Rangers GM said that the draft is a "vital" time for the organization and an opportunity to build for the future. (NYR)

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