The Rangers winning benefits the Jets even more than it benefitted the Leafs

With the Rangers defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Leafs move up from the 26th pick in the draft to 25th, but the win had a greater significance for the Winnipeg Jets. The Rangers' win on Monday gives them two playoff series wins, meaning that one of the conditions of the trade has been satisfied, upgrading one of the second round picks to a first for the Jets.

Andrew Copp, prior to the trade, had played parts of seven seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. His career high in points as a Jets was 39. The former fourth round draft pick was mostly utilized on the Jets third line.

But once traded to the Rangers, Copp posted 18 points (8 goals & 10 assists) in the 16 remaining regular season games. Copp has continued his offensive production into the playoffs, posting 12 points (6 goals & 6 assists) through his first 14 playoff games. If the Rangers want to get through the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and All-Star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy the Rangers will need more of the same from Copp.

But no matter what happens in the third round, Winnipeg Jets fans can take satisfaction in knowing they now have an additional first round pick in this year's entry draft.