Drew Fortescue – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #16 New York Rangers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:00:47 +0000

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 31: New York Rangers right wing Gabe Perreault (94) warms up before the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on January 31, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 16th (Last Year - 17th)
GM: Chris Drury Hired: May 2021
COACH: Mike Sullivan Hired: May 2025

Having missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season, the New York Rangers appear to be turning the page and shifting their focus toward the future. If there were any doubts about that direction, the decision to trade Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings made things crystal clear. That move, along with several others at the NHL trade deadline, has significantly reshaped the organization’s draft outlook. The Rangers now hold seven selections across the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks. One of those selections could land near the top of the draft, if not first, giving the organization an opportunity to inject high-end talent into what is currently a middle-of-the-pack prospect system.

That prospect system is also on the verge of losing one of its most impactful names. Gabe Perreault (21st) has already made the jump to the NHL and is producing at a promising rate as a 20-year-old, positioning himself to graduate from prospect status by our next instalment. Acquired in the Panarin trade, Liam Greentree (36th) now headlines the Rangers’ junior contingent. While his OHL production has taken a slight step back, his combination of size and skill continues to project well at the NHL level. In Flint, Nathan Aspinall has enjoyed a breakout season, finishing second in OHL scoring with 94 points — exactly doubling his output from the 2024–25 campaign. He is joined by recently acquired forward Jacob Battaglia, who was brought in at the trade deadline in a deal that sent former top prospect Brennan Othmann to a new organization for a fresh start.

While it appeared at times that Chris Drury was attempting to salvage the current core, the organization has now committed to a quicker retool. With increased draft capital and a building prospect base, the Rangers will look to reset and reestablish themselves as a contender in the near future.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
NYR	1	Gabe Perreault	LW	21	5-11/180	NY Rangers (NHL)	49	12	15	27	10
NYR	1	Gabe Perreault	LW	21	5-11/180	Hartford (AHL)	20	10	7	17	14
NYR	2	Scott Morrow	D	23	6-2/210	Hartford (AHL)	34	5	14	19	69
NYR	2	Scott Morrow	D	23	6-2/210	NY Rangers (NHL)	29	0	6	6	4
NYR	3	Liam Greentree	RW	20	6-3/215	Windsor (OHL)	52	38	36	74	63
NYR	4	EJ Emery	D	20	6-3/185	North Dakota (NCAA)	38	3	10	13	32
NYR	5	Dylan Roobroeck	C	21	6-6/190	Hartford (AHL)	72	11	15	26	90
NYR	6	Drew Fortescue	D	21	6-1/175	Boston College (NCAA)	36	4	10	14	47
NYR	6	Drew Fortescue	D	21	6-1/175	NY Rangers (NHL)	9	0	2	2	4
NYR	7	Malcolm Spence	LW	19	6-1/200	Michigan (NCAA)	40	10	15	25	44
NYR	8	Nathan Aspinall	LW	20	6-7/205	Flint (OHL)	65	33	61	94	42
NYR	9	Aidan Thompson	LW	24	5-11/180	Rfd-Hfd (AHL)	58	8	14	22	22
NYR	10	Jacob Battaglia	RW	20	6-1/200	Kgn-Fln (OHL)	64	26	22	48	61
NYR	11	Adam Sykora	RW	21	5-10/170	Hartford (AHL)	62	12	17	29	28
NYR	11	Adam Sykora	RW	21	5-10/170	NY Rangers (NHL)	11	3	1	4	5
NYR	12	Jaroslav Chmelar	RW	22	6-5/220	Hartford (AHL)	46	8	17	25	42
NYR	12	Jaroslav Chmelar	RW	22	6-5/220	NY Rangers (NHL)	28	4	2	6	11
NYR	13	Dylan Garand	G	23	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	36	16	15	2.83	0.896
NYR	14	Ty Henricks	LW	20	6-4/205	Western Michigan (NCAA)	39	9	16	25	43
NYR	15	Carey Terrance	C	21	6-1/175	Hartford (AHL)	68	8	9	17	44

Gabe Perreault, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

In a season full of disappointment, Perreault has proven to be one of the brightest lights in the organization. After being selected 23rd overall in the 2023 draft, Perreault exploded onto the college scene with 60 points as a freshman. The 48 points in 37 games in his sophomore year paled in comparison, but after two straight WJC performances with 10 points apiece, he’s jumped right into his pro rookie season showing that hardly any adjustment period is necessary. Always more of a playmaker than goalscorer, Perreault had no problem putting the puck in the net at the AHL level for the initial quarter of the season and since joining the Rangers a week before Christmas, he hasn’t looked back, having often accumulated at least 16 minutes of TOI along the way with upwards of 20 by season's end. It is important that, despite being slightly undersized, his elite hockey IQ is translating, and he seems to already understand that shooting is often the best choice you have on the attack. Skating hasn’t held him back thus far, but it is surely on the “desired improvement” list heading into the offseason. A post trade deadline burst of offence with nine points in his first six games was a promising sign of his role going forward. It is possible an invitation to the World Championships for Team USA is in the cards.
Scott Morrow, D, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

After a fairly fantastic 24-25 AHL season with the Chicago Wolves that led to 19 total games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Morrow became a key component of a trade that saw K’Andre Miller go from the Rangers to the Canes this past offseason, allowing Morrow to enter this season as no less than the Rangers’ top defensive prospect. Seen as a modern two-way threat with strong transition skills, he’s shown the ability to beat goalies from the point and use his stickhandling and body positioning to take advantage of opponents while finding open teammates. What the Rangers have nonetheless found out at both the AHL and NHL levels this season is that Morrow is a work in progress in the defensive zone, having been right in the middle of a number of goals against this season. He kicked things off with less than desirable AHL statistics but was forced into duty on a Rangers’ team and blueline that has disappointed just about all season long. The plus is that he has ridden with the opportunity and hovered around 15 minutes of TOI per night, gaining valuable experience to build on. More offensive contributions were hoped for and he finished the season with Hartford but should see more time with the NHL club next year.
Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Greentree was the key piece returning to the New York Rangers in the Artemi Panarin trade to the LA Kings earlier this month. Greentree has served as captain of the Windsor Spitfires for the past two seasons. The power winger is known for his offensive skill and lethal shot, though his point production has dipped this season compared to the previous two. Greentree was named to Canada’s 2026 World Junior team but saw limited usage, dressing for just three games as the 13th forward. His play away from the puck and skating were exposed at the World Junior tournament, his motor remains not high enough and is still lacking the footspeed needed as a power winger. Greentree possesses a high character and discipline, and with continued development under the Rangers’ player development staff, he projects as a potential middle six winger. He remains a work in progress, but patience in his development could yield a significant payoff.
EJ Emery, D, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Emery is a defensive-minded defender, who showcased his defensive maturity with the USNTDP in his draft year. With his stout defensive play, Emery was selected in the first round. His pro-style play, strong skating, and all-around smarts lends itself to a more translatable skill set to the NHL. Since joining the NCAA, his offensive impacts have remained virtually the same. He isn’t producing much of anything, going from one point in his first season, across 31 games, to 13 points in 38 games this year. He still plays a very defensive-oriented style, remaining responsible and conservative in the offensive end. However, he has become slightly more involved when it comes to transitioning the puck up ice. That development is at least a bit noticeable. That being said, it isn’t often that defenders become long-term NHL players without some more respectable offensive numbers at the junior and collegiate levels. That’s not to say he doesn’t have an NHL projection, but it does mean he needs to take a bigger step in providing at least a bit more offence. He currently projects as a bottom-pair defender with penalty-killing upside. But again, his offensive game needs to be better for him to carve out a top four role in the future.
Dylan Roobroeck, C, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

If the name Roobroeck pops out at you, it’s because Dylan’s brother Ryan entered this season looking like a surefire first round draft pick. The hype has settled down for Ryan, but playing some intense hockey is surely in the family genes. To be clear, Dylan was a late round pick in 2023, and his size, hands, and occasional snarl jumped out at scouts. So too did his lack of mobility and weaknesses in various aspects of the game across all three zones. Then he jumped right into AHL play last season and pumped in 20 goals. This saw his prospect status take a leap, especially considering he had little problem adjusting to the rough stuff the league entails. Enter the 25-26 season, one that has seen him fall into a sophomore slump of sorts. Sure, he’s still where he was initially envisioned to be but is nowhere close to repeating last season’s success. Hartford’s woes haven’t helped. But now we have to wonder if he is going to be an NHL topic. Mobility is still an issue, and opponents have scored plenty of goals with him on the ice. Can this disappointing season lead to the necessary adjustments?
Drew Fortescue, D, Boston College (NCAA)

Fortescue, a third-round draft choice of the New York Rangers, is a shut-down, pro-style defender. He was drafted due to his stout defensive play and overall smarts. Almost always in the right spot, he was lauded for his high hockey IQ and ability to read the play from the defensive end. While offence has never been his game, he did need to develop that side of his game a bit more. Since joining Boston College, his offense has seen some improvement from a raw production standpoint. But what has stood out the most in that area is his puck-moving ability. What was once a weakness has become a more evident positive in his game, as he has been relied on more and more with each passing season to help transition the puck up ice. So, while his offensive production and impact have somewhat remained the same, he has steadily improved his overall impact on the game in a way that will help him potentially carve out an NHL role. His skating has also improved over the last couple of years, as expected. Fortescue projects as a bottom-pair defensive defenseman, so long as he continues his upward trajectory.
Malcolm Spence, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Spence, a second-round draft selection of the Rangers, had a solid OHL outing in his draft year, scoring over 30 goals and producing over a point-per-game. His strong skating, high-end motor, and willingness to play with a bit of a physical edge were traits that scouts enjoyed. His shoot-first mentality was also a boon to his draft stock. However, he did struggle with decision-making, especially under pressure, while his consistency in all three zones needed work. He made the jump to the NCAA for this season, joining Michigan, to help his development. In a much smaller role than what he played in the OHL, his production, of course, took a hit. But his play with the puck, in terms of play-creation and shot-creation, are fairly similar. Spence has been able to translate fairly well to the collegiate level, and as he gets a bigger role moving forward, the production should follow. He’s projected to be a middle-six winger, but with another year or two in the NCAA with better production, there’s a world where he could end up filling a top six role.
Nathan Aspinall, LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

A fifth-round pick selected 159th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers, the Firebirds captain is enjoying a breakout season. He finished second in the OHL in points finished among the top three all-time for most points in a season in Firebirds history. Aspinall is most effective playing down low, as he can serve as a dual threat - capable of finishing plays off or being a facilitator. His size and shot power make him a deceptive playmaker as he must be respected as a shooting threat while he can seam passes through traffic into passing lanes. The confidence level is high in Aspinall’s play, recording more than 75% of his points at even-strength. While he is still filling out his frame and improving his skating, he is quickly learning to leverage his size and physicality. His strength in his active stick has allowed him to average nearly 2.5 takeaways per game in the defensive zone. The significant spike in Aspinall’s development this season can give Rangers executives confidence that he could slot in as a bottom six forward at the next level in the near future.
Aidan Thompson, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

After a terrific three year run at the University of Denver, Thompson turned pro this year, but the offensive production hasn’t quite met expectations. Due to the depth of Chicago’s system, he had a hard time finding consistent production and ice time with Rockford. However, after a deadline deal to the New York Rangers, Thompson finds himself in a system with less forward depth, which should mean increased responsibility and a better opportunity to produce with Hartford. He’s an energetic and quick paced forward who projects as a possible middle six type once he gains his footing and adjusts to the pace and physicality of the pro game. Thompson is a high-end playmaker who is very sound with the puck, but the key will be finding ways to impact the game away from the puck like he did at Denver, despite only possessing average size. Considering that the Hawks gave up Thompson in exchange for an AHL veteran, it does make you wonder if they saw something to suggest that Thompson would struggle to be an impact pro.
Jacob Battaglia, RW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Battaglia’s draft plus one year was outstanding, as he quietly emerged as one of the most effective forwards in the OHL for the Kingston Frontenacs. However, this season has seen him take a step back, splitting the year between Kingston and Flint. Battaglia is an intelligent playmaker for a big winger, and he has worked to improve both his skating and physical consistency. However, the skating development has seemed to plateau this season and Battaglia is not playing with the same kind of confidence with the puck that he showcased last year. He has not consistently shown the creativity and skill that he exhibited during his breakout season. But it’s too early to give up on Battaglia. He still has the makings of an excellent middle six, complementary piece. Now in the Rangers organization after a deadline move, Battaglia already inked an ELC, otherwise the NCAA level would have been great for him for a few seasons to help him continue to improve as a skater and physically. However, that opportunity does seem to be closed despite the recent eligibility changes.
Adam Sykora, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

A 2022 second round draft pick, Sykora came out of the top Slovakia professional league looking like a fascinating water bug player with a bright future. Two and a half AHL seasons later, he’s still got plenty of energy and can make his way around the ice as a player ready to do whatever his coaches ask of him, but his offensive game just hasn’t come along as once hoped for. At this point, a pesky fourth line role looks like his NHL limit.
Jaroslav Chmelar, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

The hulking winger out of Czechia has earned some NHL time this year, even though his AHL production has been pretty pedestrian. It’s obvious that the Rangers view him as a potential bottom six option who can bring physicality.
Dylan Garand, G, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

While Garand hasn’t been as good as he was last year with Hartford, he’s still likely in New York’s plans as a possible back-up moving forward. Jonathan Quick is a pending UFA and that could open up the door for Garand.
Ty Henricks, LW, Western Michigan University (NCAA)

A big, physical winger, Henricks has seen notable improvement between his freshman and sophomore seasons with Western Michigan. Henricks may not offer terrific NHL upside, but he has the tools to be a potential bottom six asset.
Carey Terrance, C, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

It took a few years for Terrance’s offensive game to come around at the OHL level and the Rangers may need to be equally patient with him as a pro. He’s a terrific skater and he brings effort at both ends. At the very least, a potential fourth line penalty killer.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #17

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:49:48 +0000

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 02: Rookie New York Rangers right wing Gabe Perreault (94) in action prior to the National Hockey League game between the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers on April 2, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 17th (May 2025 - 19th)
GM: Chris Drury Hired: May 2021
COACH: Mike Sullivan Hired: May 2025

Once pegged as a Cup contender, New York missed the postseason for the first time in four years. GM Chris Drury stayed aggressive, reacquiring J.T. Miller in a win-now move and making it clear that his focus is still on competing, not retooling. A new head coach will now be tasked with guiding the team back into the playoff picture.

The Rangers entered the 2025 draft without a first-round pick, limiting their ability to add a blue-chip talent. Their biggest splash came via trade, sending K’Andre Miller to Carolina for offensive defenseman Scott Morrow, who immediately steps in as the organization’s top prospect and a candidate to crack the NHL lineup this fall.

Coming in at a close second is Gabe Perreault, who’s fresh off signing his entry-level deal. He capped a brilliant two-year run at Boston College with 35 goals and 108 points in 73 games. While his short NHL debut didn’t produce much offensively, his creativity and scoring instincts suggest he’s not far from locking down a top six role.

Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard both earned NHL cameos this season and are knocking on the door of full-time jobs. Depth options such as Adam Sýkora, newly acquired Brendan Brisson, and goaltender Dylan Garand continue to develop in Hartford, providing additional reinforcements.

With a new and established bench boss in place and Drury extended as GM, the Rangers remain committed to winning with their current core. But after another missed opportunity, the pressure is mounting for this group to deliver—and the next wave of prospects could be key to pushing them over the top.

New York Rangers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Scott Morrow

Scott Morrow is one of the most talented defensive prospects in the NHL. While playing in the AHL last season with the Chicago Wolves, Morrow was a huge presence at both ends of the ice. In the offensive zone, he’s always a threat to shoot. He can beat goalies cleanly with pinpoint accuracy from the point, but he can also use his stickhandling and body positioning to fake out opposing players and find open teammates. Morrow’s game has also really matured in the defensive zone, where he can use his strong frame to tackle heavy minutes on a nightly basis against opposing teams’ top players. Now having wrapped up his first full professional season, and after an offseason trade, Morrow looks ready to make the New York Rangers as a full-time NHLer. Morrow should occupy bottom-pairing minutes to start the year, but don’t be surprised when you see Morrow become a mainstay in the Rangers’ top four. He’s just that talented.

2 - Gabe Perreault

Gabe Perreault is coming off a down year statistically…where he piled up 48 points and finished 11th in NCAA scoring. Not too much to be disappointed about there, except for the fact that he put up 60 points the year before. Perreault is very dangerous offensively thanks to his elite hockey IQ and fantastic playmaking ability, plus he had great puck skills to boot. The biggest knock on Perreault is his skating ability, which is average at best. This season, Perreault likely will develop in a top six role in the AHL while the Rangers work with him to improve his skating. If his skating remains around average, his ability should allow him to contribute in a top six capacity while particularly being a threat on the power play. If he can make strides toward improving his skating, his hockey IQ and skill set are enough that he could be a top-of-the-lineup offensive driver.

3 - Brennan Othmann

Brennan Othmann is a very talented goal scorer with a quick release. Othmann is always a threat to score when the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone, but he’s more than just a goal scorer; he’s a great playmaker who can find open teammates with little time and space. There were moments last season when Othmann looked like a player that was just too good to be playing in the AHL, and he was very deserving of his midseason call-up to the New York Rangers. With that being said, Othmann did have trouble creating consistent offence at the NHL level, but he did have very limited opportunity (mostly playing a fourth-line role). Nevertheless, Othmann’s game looks to be trending in the right direction, and he appears to be on track to have a good shot at earning a roster spot in the Rangers’ top nine this fall. The points will come as he learns to figure out the NHL game, and with a bit more opportunity, we can expect that this season.

4 - EJ Emery

Emery established himself as a physical, defence-first defenceman with solid gap control and effective stick work last season. His skating is serviceable for his size, allowing him to maintain defensive positioning and excel in net-front situations. Early reports highlighted his need to improve decision making and puck management, particularly under pressure. While he has shown flashes of strong puck movement on breakouts, inconsistency remains a concern. Emery’s strengths lie in his defensive awareness, physicality, and penalty-killing ability. He is reliable against rush attacks and uses his size to close off space. However, his limited offensive upside and inconsistent engagement in puck battles have limited his overall impact at the college level thus far. He needs further development in his puck-moving decisions and increased consistency in his defensive reads. His projection remains that of a second or third pairing NHL defenceman, best utilized in shutdown and penalty killing situations.

5 - Dylan Garand

In Dylan Garand's second year as Hartford’s starting goalie, he finally took that big jump. He’s become a top goalie in the AHL, while on a poor Hartford squad. His attention to detail is immaculate. He’s an exceptional skater, a fantastic playreader, and has phenomenal positioning. He’s a calm and reserved goalie playing deep to read and react, rather than aggressively anticipate play. Because he is generally always in position, he rarely displays his sneaky athleticism. While for the most part, his positioning is great, he could be more aggressive. At 6-foot-0, it would be better for him to try to take up more space when possible by gaining ice. While he’s always going to put himself into a position to save the puck, he isn’t necessarily covering as much net as possible. More experience should hopefully develop that area. Even being undersized, the potential of becoming a starting goalie in the NHL is high. We could likely see him in the NHL within the next two years if and when Jonathan Quick retires, allowing Garand to back up Shesterkin.

6 - Malcolm Spence

A second-round selection by the Rangers in 2025, Spence is a detail oriented, but athletic, two-way winger. His skating ability is one of his best assets, as he is explosive and quick skating downhill, allowing him to be an effective offensive player North/South. Spence is also a strong defensive player who is aggressive in puck pursuit and who has an active stick in the neutral and defensive zones. When paired with his strong skating ability, it makes Spence a reliable penalty killing option. The questions regarding Spence revolve around his offensive upside. Through three OHL seasons with the Erie Otters, Spence’s offensive game never reached the height some expected when he was drafted into the OHL second overall. That’s part of why he has altered his course and committed to the Michigan Wolverines next year. A new challenge should help to bring out the best in Spence and the college game fits his skill set well. Even in a worst-case scenario situation, Spence should be able to develop into a quality depth player for the Rangers down the line.

7 - Carey Terrance

For Terrance, it’s all about speed. His quickness is the heart and soul of his game, and it allows him to be a versatile and well-rounded two-way forward. Acquired from Anaheim in the Chris Kreider trade, Terrance’s offensive play did seem to stagnate a bit in the OHL the last few seasons. He’s not going to be a highly creative or skilled offensive contributor at the NHL level. However, he brings value because of his aforementioned versatility. He can play any forward position. He is an outstanding penalty killer. He is aggressive in getting to the net and can operate well as a forechecker, a role that helped the U.S. win gold at the most recent World Junior Championships. Turning pro this year, expect Terrance to need a few years in the AHL before he’s ready to earn a roster spot in the Big Apple. However, he has a good chance of developing into a quality bottom six contributor for the Rangers in time.

8 - Dylan Roobroeck

Dylan Roobroeck was extremely impressive for the Hartford Wolf Pack last season, especially because it was his first season in professional hockey. It was thought that Roobroeck would take more time to adapt his offence to the pro game, and that points would be more difficult to obtain now that he was playing versus men. Roobroeck ultimately proved his critics wrong and was an offensive threat for the Hartford Wolf Pack all season. With Roobroeck, it’s not just his size that allows him to get to the gritty areas to score goals; he also has nice hands and a powerful release. Roobroeck does need to continue to develop his skating at the AHL level, but the path is there for him to become a future NHL player. It’s not hard to envision Roobroeck as an effective third line forward at the NHL level, and he could even become an option as a net front presence on a second-unit power play. If not, becoming a fourth line forward is not out of the question.

9 - Drew Fortescue

After being selected in the third-round of the 2023 draft, 6-foot-2 blueliner Drew Fortescue has shown steady growth in his game. Offensively, there isn’t much to get excited about, with 19 points over two seasons, but Fortescue is a reliable pillar on the back end for Boston College. Fortescue can defend the rush well and is improving with his reads in the defensive zone, as well as getting stronger. In transition, Fortescue is also very dependable, as he moves the puck efficiently and gets it up ice quickly. The two-time World Junior gold medalist was a key shutdown piece in last year’s tournament for the United States, as he was paired with offensive dynamo Zeev Buium and logged top pair minutes. This season, he will head back to Boston College for another year in the NCAA, but down the line Fortescue could be a reliable bottom-pair NHL defender.

10 - Sean Barnhill

“Big Defenceman Fever” hit the New York Rangers again this year when they selected 6-foot-5 defenceman Sean Barnhill. He was THE defensive rock for Dubuque this past season, being both a stay-at-home defenceman and quite mobile and solid as a puck carrier. His skating and his stick-checking are major factors in the solid defence he applies to opponents. Barnhill’s advanced gap control was responsible for quelling many rushes, especially in Dubuque’s Clark Cup run. After originally committing to Northeastern, Barnhill switched his commitment to Michigan State, where he will be seen as a luxury as the biggest RHD on the Spartans roster. It will be tough to get premium minutes on a loaded back end, but Barnhill has the tools to take advantage of this opportunity in front of him.

11 - Adam Sykora

Not many players play with the amount of energy that Adam Sykora does. He’s an unrelenting, unselfish player who teammates and coaches adore. He is a hard forechecker as well as someone who plays on the penalty kill. He had 30 points in 71 games last year with Hartford, and if his point totals continue to grow modestly, he could earn a call-up as purely a fourth-line guy.

12 - Noah Laba

An underrated center prospect, Laba has done well to improve his NHL chances in recent seasons. After a freshman season where he was a -18, Laba turned it around the next season to be a +20 and point-per-game player. He has become a true two-way guy as his first AHL goal came shorthanded. He’ll get a full season in Hartford next season, where he should be instantly impactful in the top six.

13 - Jaroslav Chmelar

Chmelar is a big winger with some good offensive tools. The downside is that he isn’t defensively skilled enough for the pro level. In his first season with Hartford, he was a -37 while only scoring 30 points. He’ll need a significant amount of time in Hartford to improve defensively before he can be trusted in any role in the NHL.

14 - Nathan Aspinall

Standing at a tall 6-foot-7, Aspinall knows he is best utilized at the net front. He’ll park in front of the net using his frame to screen the goalie and his stick to get a deflection on any puck within his gigantic reach. He has a nice passing touch to complement his size, allowing him to find teammates in tight spaces. He’ll return to Flint in the OHL for his fourth year, where point production should be his main focus.

15 - Zeb Lindgren

2025 was the tale of two defencemen for Zeb Lindgren. The first half saw a defenceman who was competitive in his own zone, willing to take it himself in transition, and overall had that competitive two-way attitude. In the second half, that spark was gone. Lindgren can take big steps next year with Skellefteå if he can find ways to overcome his own mental hurdles.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #19 NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Sat, 24 May 2025 12:05:34 +0000

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 07: New York Rangers right wing Gabe Perreault (94) skates against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nick Paul (20) during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers on April 7, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

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NY Rangers 25 Prospects

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team USA

Jamison Derksen — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 14:00:35 +0000

_{James Hagens}

The United States has to be the definitive favorite heading into the 2025 World Junior Championships. They are coming off a dominant showing through last year's tournament in which they want a gold medal, and they should have about 10 returning players, including veteran World Junior standout goaltender Trey Augustine (DET ‘23). Anything short of a gold medal this year will be viewed as a disappointment for this American squad, as they look for their 7th gold medal of all time in the tournament. The Americans have medalled 15 times in the tournament, including getting on the podium seven of the past nine years.

It looks like the American squad this year will have perhaps the most dangerous forward group in the tournament and the best goaltender in the tournament, and while the blueline will still be good, it is not the intimidating force that the other parts of the American roster are. Up front the line of Perreault/Hagens/Leonard will be driving the bus, just as they do for Boston College. Beyond that top line, there are other dangerous forwards such as all-time USNTDP leading scorer Cole Eiserman (NYI ‘24), Oliver Moore (CHI ‘23), and Trevor Connelly (VGK ‘24), there is no doubt that this team should not have issues in the goal-scoring department. The defense will be led by Zeev Buium (MIN ‘24), who should be in contention for WJC top defenseman honours, and returnee Drew Fortescue (NYR ‘23). Cole Hutson (WSH ‘24) should have plenty of opportunities to step up on the second pairing for this team, and draft-eligible Logan Hensler has an opportunity to boost his draft stock with a strong showing. In net, Trey Augustine returns for his third WJC Tournament, if another goaltender is needed at some point, Sam Hillebrandt returns as Augustine’s very capable backup.

The United States is in Group A for the 2025 World Juniors, so their round-robin opponents will be Germany (Dec. 26), Latvia (Dec. 28), Finland (Dec. 29), and Canada (Dec. 31). Will they be able to repeat as champions?

Key Players

Ryan Leonard, RW

Ryan Leonard appears to be the leader of the American team that is going into this tournament. The Washington Capitals 2023 first-rounder will do it all for the Americans, including likely wearing the “C”. A volume shooter who plays with tenacity and a ton of skill, he is an easy fan favourite. In his second World Junior tournament, Leonard will be a fixture on the top line and the top power-play unit for the United States. He should be counted on to score big goals for USA (he leads the NCAA in game-winners, and scored a dagger in the Gold Medal Game last year to put the game out of reach), as well as draw a ton of penalties. He could end up being the tournament’s MVP.

James Hagens, C

Hagens, the longtime favourite to go 1st overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, seems to have been unseated from that spot by Canadian defender Matthew Schaefer recently. This tournament could turn the tides back in Hagens’ favour as he looks to be a key cog up front for the Americans. Hagens is currently a freshman in the NCAA with Boston College, where he has 20 points in 16 games. Hagens is a stud in virtually every aspect, but he has not been scoring goals at the rate that was expected heading into this season, let’s see if he can get some of that goal-scoring mojo back in this tournament.

Gabe Perreault, LW

The pure playmaker of the Boston College / Team USA top line, Perreault should finish the tournament near or at the top of the scoring race. The 2023 New York Rangers first-rounder had 10 points in 7 games at last year’s tournament and has 23 points in 16 games in the NCAA this season. Perreault’s passing ability and chemistry with Leonard make him an irreplaceable piece of the offense for the United States. With 7 assists in his first World Junior tournament last year, he could make a run at the all-time USA assist record at the WJC, currently held by Trevor Zegras with 20.

Trey Augustine, G

Augustine, who is locked in to be the starter for the United States, has been one of the top netminders in the NCAA for Michigan State this season. The 2023 Red Wings 2nd rounder has been the starter for the Americans at each of the past two World Junior tournaments and was tops in the tournament last year for GAA (1.75) and SV% (.936). Augustine is about as safe of a bet as you can make for good goaltending in this tournament, and he likely won’t need to be relied upon heavily in most games. When it comes down to it against a strong opponent like Canada or Sweden, one of the NHL’s top goaltending prospects should be able to hold down the fort. He is also just two wins shy of the American record for wins at the World Juniors.

Zeev Buium, D

Buium snuck onto the team as a draft-eligible last year and ended up not only being a main contributor but also leading the tournament in plus/minus at +11. The Denver Pioneers standout was the top-scoring blueliner in the NCAA last year, as well as leading the circuit in ice time, all as a freshman. He capped off his tremendous season with being selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in June. This season, it has been more of the same, as he once again paces NCAA blueliners in scoring, while anchoring the blueline for the powerhouse Pioneers. Buium is a dynamic puck-mover who will play all the minutes he can handle for this United States squad, and may leave the tournament as the all-time USA plus/minus leader at WJC (currently Brock Faber, +19).

Cole Eiserman, LW

It seems crazy to only have Eiserman listed at 6th here, the 2024 New York Islanders first-rounder holds the goal-scoring record for the National Team Development Program and has 9 goals in 16 games so far as a freshman for Boston University, but that is just a testament to the high-end players already present on the American roster. Eiserman has always been a standout goal scorer, blessed with an elite shot and elite offensive instincts, he was once thought to be a challenger for first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. His lack of all-around game ended up tumbling him down into the mid-first round, but he can still put the puck in the net with the best. He should be heavily involved in the offense at even strength and on the power play.

Trevor Connelly, LW

Trevor Connelly is among the most talented players on this United States roster and is probably the best skater of the bunch. Off-ice concerns pushed him down draft boards a little bit last summer, but based solely on his play on the ice he could have easily been a top 10 pick. Eventually, the Vegas Golden Knights grabbed him 19th overall, and he currently sits just a shade under a point per game as a freshman with Providence College. Connelly has shown the ability to take over an international tournament for the US before, he led the 2023/24 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring.

Drew Fortescue, D

Drew Fortescue, one of three returnees on the American blueline, should be paired with Zeev Buium on the top defensive pair. The dynamic Buium will certainly be the one pushing the offense, and Fortescue will be the anchor defensively in the pair. He prototypes as a useful stay-at-home defender but is still able to get the puck up the ice to his teammates. Fortescue was a third-round pick by the New York Rangers in 2023 and is in his second season with Boston College.

Oliver Moore, C

University of Minnesota centreman Oliver Moore was barely a factor in last year’s tournament, playing less than 10:00 per game, but it’s safe to say that will not be the case this time around. Moore, the 19th overall pick in 2023 by the Chicago Blackhawks, should slot into a second-line role at his second WJC. He is an elite skater, perhaps the only one on the roster that can rival Connelly in that regard, and his playmaking chops should mesh well with the scorers on the American roster. Moore isn’t a “sleeper” entering this tournament, but he could end up surprising many with the impact he makes on this team.

Cole Hutson, D

Cole Hutson will be counted on to play a crucial role on the back end for the United States on the second pairing. The mobile, offensively-gifted blueliner was selected 43rd overall by the Washington Capitals in June and should be able to take some of the offensive load off of Zeev Buium. Hutson, the USNTDP record holder for points from a defenceman, is the younger brother of former USA WJC standout Lane Hutson and brings a lot of the same qualities in his game. Last year the United States had a nice 1-2 offensive punch with Lane and Buium, maybe it can be replicated this time around with Buium and the younger Hutson.

Sleeper Player

Teddy Stiga, LW

My sleeper pick for a player that can make an impact on this tournament for the United States is Nashville Predators 2024 2nd rounder Teddy Stiga. The Boston College freshman isn’t going to be a dominant force, and will surely be playing as a bottom-six forward for the Americans, but he is a player who works hard and always finds a way to be effective. Checking in at just 5’10, Stiga still plays with an edge and is excellent along the boards, despite his size. He’s an intelligent, energetic guy with skill, a perfect sleeper in a short tournament.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #23

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Brock Otten — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:00:23 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 04: New York Rangers left wing Brennan Othmann (78) skates with the puck during a preseason game between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils on October 4, 2023 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey.(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 23rd (Previous Rank - 18th)
GM: Chris Drury Hired: May 2021
COACH: Peter Laviolette Hired: June 2023

Chris Drury continues to push the envelope in pursuit of a Stanley Cup, but despite the high expectations, the Rangers continue to fall short of their ultimate playoff goals. As a result, the draft pick column has taken the brunt of the impact, with only nine picks over the last two drafts.

To offset the lack of draft capital, the Rangers have begun to graduate several players who are now contributing nightly. Alexis Lafrenière looks to have broken through the barrier, while Braden Schneider and Zac Jones have become regulars on the team’s defensive rotation. Will Cuylle, too, is developing smoothly into a top nine producer, having just completed his rookie year on Broadway.

Looking deeper into the future, the Rangers’ prospect pool is highlighted by Gabe Perreault, who made the top 30 in our McKeen’s rankings. The 19-year-old is currently marinating in the NCAA, coming off an explosive freshman year at Boston College with 19 goals and 60 points. Perreault has also established himself as a showstopper on the international stage.

Knocking on the NHL door is Brennan Othmann (42nd), who finished fourth in AHL rookie scoring last year with 49 points in 67 games. Additionally, Othmann got a brief taste of NHL action with four games and is expected to be one of the Rangers' primary call-up options for the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Brett Berard (229th) capped off his rookie year in Hartford with 48 points, just one shy of Othmann to finish fifth in rookie scoring.

Rounding out the organization’s remaining crop, the Rangers have three additional prospects within McKeen’s top 300. Recent first-rounder EJ Emery, slated to begin his collegiate career at the University of North Dakota, occupies the 94th spot. Meanwhile, Adam Sýkora (284th) and goaltender Dylan Garand (285th) continue to develop their craft with the Wolf Pack but are still considered a few years away from NHL readiness.

In Drury’s view, it’s time to bring a Stanley Cup to Madison Square Garden, and he seems willing to do whatever it takes to get there. With only a first-round pick in the first four rounds of next year’s draft, it may take parting with a prospect or two to formulate a deal at the trade deadline.

New York Rangers Top-15 Prospects

1. Gabe Perreault

During the run of draft coverage last year, it felt like Gabe Perreault was being undervalued as some considered him a third wheel on the NTDP’s terrific first line including Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. As the three of them carried their success over to the NCAA level with Boston College, it has become abundantly clear that Perreault should be considered a terrific NHL prospect in his own right. Not only was he one of the best players in college hockey this past year, but he played a pivotal role for the United States in their gold medal victory at the WJC’s. Perreault is just such a slick and intelligent offensive player. He elevates the play of those around him with how he can manipulate defensive coverage. He has also upgraded his strength and quickness to allow him to be more consistently dangerous, in addition to becoming a better player away from the puck. It would appear that the New York Rangers got a good one here.

2. Brennan Othmann

The Rangers have to be very happy with how Othmann’s first pro season went. He was one of Hartford’s leading scorers and best players right from puck drop last year and, as such, earned a cup of coffee with the Rangers, too. Not only did he score, but his physical approach and strong work away from the puck also transitioned seamlessly. Based on his versatile skill set, it would appear a virtual lock that Othmann becomes an NHL player in some capacity. Facing a bit of a cap crunch, one has to wonder if New York is looking at Othmann as a potential bottom six forward this season. He certainly looks ready and capable. From an upside perspective, the range of outcomes is wide. Othmann could settle into more of a complementary middle six role or he could end up becoming a high end top six forward and point producer. If he’s back in the AHL, look for him to inch closer to the point per game mark.

3. EJ Emery

One of our draft favourites at McKeen’s Hockey this year, we loved his selection by New York at the end of the first round. The size and athleticism combination on the backend makes him such an intriguing player. It really comes down to whether you believe that Emery has offensive upside. He’s not likely to ever develop into a significant point producer, however late last season we saw promising growth in his ability to use his skating to help generate scoring chances while his overall confidence with the puck improved. As is, Emery is a potential defensive workhorse with his ability to smother opposing forwards. Emery admittedly models his game after fellow Rangers defender K’Andre Miller and the hope for New York is that Emery can develop similarly. He’ll head to North Dakota this year for his freshman NCAA season.

4. Brett Berard

Berard was a pleasant surprise for the Rangers last season. Much like Othmann, Berard was terrific for Hartford as an AHL rookie. The difference being that Berard was entering his rookie season with lower expectations after his development at Providence College had appeared to plateau. Instead, he was among the AHL’s top rookie scorers, and he looks the part of a future middle six, high energy guy for New York. The diminutive forward (at 5-foot-9) plays a fearless game. He’s a very aggressive forechecker. He can kill penalties. He drives the net and battles for touches in high traffic areas. He’s not an easy player for defenders to pin down. Is the offensive upside as significant as Othmann? We would say no. However, he looks like a future fan favourite in the Big Apple who can provide a ton of versatility to the coaching staff. That could happen as early as this season if the Rangers are looking to save cap space.

5. Adam Sykora

One of the few U20 players in the AHL last season, Sykora played a checking line role for Hartford, showing flashes of NHL potential. He was drafted with the mantra of being a real “lunch pail” type of player; someone who could do the dirty work on a scoring line and who could be a solid complementary piece in the middle six. Known for his physicality as a draft eligible player in Slovakia, Sykora just wasn’t strong enough or quick enough yet to be just that in the AHL last season. One has to wonder if he would have been better off playing in the CHL as a 20-year-old to help him gain confidence in his offensive abilities. All that said, it’s important to note Sykora’s age when analyzing his offensive production and overall confidence level in the AHL. He’s still a ways away from being an NHL player, but he also still possesses great upside as a high end third line player who can develop into a terrific two-way forward.

6. Dylan Garand

In 2022, Garand was on top of the world. He helped Canada capture a gold medal at the WJC and he was the CHL’s goaltender of the year. Two seasons ago, there were bumps along the road in his first pro season with Hartford, but optimism remained high. Last year, it would be tough to argue that Garand was that much better as a sophomore. Stagnation is never a great sign. Garand is a great play tracker and very technically sound, but is he athletic enough to make a true difference at the pro level given his lack of size? When you look at the smaller netminders excelling today like Juuse Saros, Dustin Wolf, and Devon Levi, they are all exceptional athletes. At this point, Garand needs to do a better job of fighting through traffic to make saves and challenging shooters more aggressively to help him overcome his size deficit. His play in the AHL playoffs showed promise and he’s still the team’s top option in net for the future, but the 2024-25 season will be a big one for his development.

7. Noah Laba

Laba was one of the most improved players in the Rangers’ system this past year after earning a Hobey Baker nomination with Colorado College. He was good as a freshman two years ago, but this past year he carried Colorado College to 20 wins and a top ranking. They ended up barely missing out on earning a spot in the Frozen Four tournament, but the season was a massive success as CC finished with a winning record for the first time in over a decade. Laba is your prototypical, hard working, two-way center. He has good size and length. He skates well. He brings a physical element. He shows great awareness in all three zones. Laba will return to Colorado College for his junior year and this is a great thing for his development. The Rangers will be looking for another jump in production from him as the talent around him improves. He looks like a future middle six candidate.

8. Matthew Robertson

Matthew Robertson and the Rangers are about to arrive at a crossroads. At this point in his development, after three pro seasons, Robertson is what he is. The offensive game was never going to be his calling card. However, Robertson excels in the defensive end as a physical, shut down type. Next season, Robertson is going to require waivers in order to be sent to Hartford, but after three AHL seasons, he has yet to play a single NHL game as a call-up. Is he ready? That’s a question that will be answered at this season’s training camp where New York will give him a shot to earn a role on the team’s third pairing or as the team’s seventh defender. Can he keep up with the pace of NHL forwards and not be a liability with the puck in the face of an NHL forecheck? As a former high pick who has played decently well as a pro, he should remain fairly highly regarded; he is still a potentially solid #4 who can work well with a more offensively oriented rearguard.

9. Drew Fortescue

It ended up being a terrific post draft year for Fortescue, following former NTDP teammate Gabe Perreault to Boston College. Fortescue ended up playing a key defensive role for BC as a freshman, while also helping the U.S. capture gold at the World Junior Championships. The strong skating, 6-foot-2 defender plays a steady, mature game in the defensive end. His transitional defence is excellent because of his footwork, and he’s worked hard to bulk up to make himself more difficult to play against. At times, his play with the puck and overall decision making can leave some to be desired. He’s going to need to work on his exits and his ability to handle the forecheck, but should that happen, Fortescue has the skill set to become a dependable #4-5 defender for the Rangers in the future. Just don’t expect him any time soon, as he likely spends another couple years in college to help him improve his two-way game and confidence.

10. Bryce McConnell-Barker

The Soo Greyhounds had a really strong season in the OHL last year. You would have figured that would have correlated with BMB (as he’s affectionately known) having a great year individually. That wasn’t really the case as we saw other Greyhounds step up and overtake him in terms of making a consistent impact. McConnell-Barker is still a solid NHL prospect because of his shot/scoring potential, solid skating base, and developing two-way instincts. However, there is concern that his development has plateaued a bit after he failed to crack the point per game mark as a 20-year-old in the CHL, often times the kiss of death for a player’s NHL upside. McConnell-Barker still needs to develop that killer instinct that would take his game to another level. His physical intensity can waver and in order to be an impact pro, that will need to improve. He will turn pro this year with Hartford and will likely be brought along slowly given Hartford’s depth.

11. Matthew Rempe

Is there an NHL prospect who made more headlines last year than Matt Rempe? The big winger took the NHL by storm thanks to his physicality and pugilist activities. Rempe will never be known for his offensive abilities. However, he impressed at times with his energy and work off the puck as part of New York’s fourth line. Is his play sustainable or is he a flash in the pan because of how often he has been fighting? That remains to be seen.

12. Ryder Korczak

Korczak, a crafty, playmaking pivot is coming off his first pro season with Hartford. He played a depth role for the Wolf Pack, helping him adjust to the pace of the pro game. Korczak isn’t the biggest guy in the world, so the focus for him needs to be on bulking up so that he can find greater consistency. The Rangers will be looking for him to take on a larger offensive role with Hartford this coming season.

13. Dylan Roobroeck

The hulking pivot had a breakthrough season with the Oshawa Generals last year, helping them reach the OHL finals. He’s a strong two-way forward because of his length and physicality. Roobroeck also excels at the faceoff circle and should stick down the middle. He’ll turn pro this year with Hartford and the Rangers should gain a better understanding of his offensive upside at that time.

14. Jaroslav Chmelar

Another big forward, Chmelar has turned pro after two years at Providence College. While Chmelar’s offensive production as a sophomore was disappointing, he performed well in the AHL playoffs for Hartford after signing late last year, giving hope that he can develop into a future NHL player.

15. Raoul Boilard

A fourth-round selection by the Rangers in 2024, Boilard is a raw, toolsy pivot that we had ranked in the late second round. Consistency has been an issue, especially in terms of his off-puck involvement, however Boilard has solid offensive upside as a middle six, playmaking center.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #18 New York Rangers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Brock Otten, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 18:00:54 +0000

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 12: Boston College forward Gabe Perreault (34) eyes a face off during the Beanpot Consolation game between Boston College and Harvard on February 12, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

The Presidents Trophy winner with the best record in the NHL, the Rangers remain right in the heart of their window to win the cup. As of this writing the team has fallen to Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference final. After two seasons of being aggressive buyers at the deadline, Chris Drury decided to not mess with a winning formula. He added Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko in 2023, only to bow out in the first-round last year. Largely the same veteran cast is returned for the playoffs, and cap space will continue to be an issue. Therefore, the importance of moving prospects into the line-up becomes that much more important.

The Rangers have had some success in graduating prospects in recent years. This season Braden Schneider, William Cuylle and Zac Jones joined Alexis Lafreniere and Kappo Kakko from the last five drafts playing in the lineup. They have largely held onto the first-round picks over the years and nabbed another good one in Gabe Perreault at 19th overall last year. He is currently ranked 19th overall in McKeen’s top 200 list. He is followed closely by Brennan Othmann at 26th overall. While Perreault is still a year away or more, Othmann could be ready now. If a vet is traded for cap space, the infusion of low-priced young blood will help keep the window open a little longer. The emergence of the 2020 first overall pick, Alexis LaFreniere, as a top six threat was exactly what the Rangers needed. He is an RFA following this season, while Kakko is an RFA this year. Having had more muted success, he may look for bigger money down the road and bridge. The roster boasts an impressive balance of vets and emerging youth, which includes Filip Chytil (24-years old). The Rangers are hoping it is the recipe for success as soon as this year.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Gabe Perreault	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	`23(23rd)	36	19	41	60	29
2	Brennan Othmann	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	`21(16th)	67	21	28	49	65
3	Matthew Robertson	D	23	6-3/200	Hartford (AHL)	`19(49th)	68	4	17	21	49
4	Brett Berard	LW	21	5-9/165	Hartford (AHL)	`20(134th)	71	25	23	48	62
5	Adam Sykora	RW	19	5-10/170	Hartford (AHL)	`22(63rd)	66	8	15	23	4
6	Bryce McConnell-Barker	C	19	6-1/195	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	`22(97th)	52	22	29	51	22
7	Dylan Garand	G	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	`20(103rd)	39	16	17	3.03	0.898
8	Drew Fortescue	D	19	6-1/175	Boston College (HE)	`23(90th)	40	4	4	8	36
9	Noah Laba	C	20	6-2/190	Colorado College (NCHC)	`22(111th)	36	20	17	37	27
10	Matthew Rempe	C	21	6-8/235	Hartford (AHL)	`20(165th)	43	8	4	12	96
					NY Rangers (NHL)	`20(165th)	17	1	1	2	71
11	Ryder Korczak	C	21	5-11/175	Hartford (AHL)	`21(75th)	67	9	11	20	28
12	Karl Henriksson	C	23	5-9/165	Hartford (AHL)	`19(58th)	64	11	12	23	12
13	Dylan Roobroeck	C	19	6-6/190	Oshawa (OHL)	`23(178th)	68	26	46	72	101
14	Brandon Scanlin	D	24	6-4/215	Hartford (AHL)	FA(3/22)	64	8	8	16	39
15	Olof Lindbom	G	23	6-2/185	Cincinnati (ECHL)	`18(39th)	29	10	15	3.56	0.884

1. Gabe Perreault, RW, Boston College (NCAA)

During the run of draft coverage last year, it felt like Gabe Perreault was being undervalued as some considered him a third wheel on the NTDP’s terrific first line including Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. As the three of them have carried their success over to the NCAA level with Boston College, it has become abundantly clear that Perreault should be considered a terrific NHL prospect in his own right. Not only was he one of the best players in college hockey this year, but he played a pivotal role for the United States in their gold medal victory at the WJC’s. He is just such a slick and intelligent offensive player. He elevates the play of those around him with how he can manipulate defensive coverage. He has also upgraded his strength and quickness to allow him to be more consistently dangerous, in addition to becoming a better player away from the puck. It would appear that the Rangers got a good one here.

2. Brennan Othmann, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

The Rangers have to be very happy with how Othmann’s first pro season went. He’s been one of Hartford’s leading scorers and best players right from puck drop this year and, as such, has earned a cup of coffee with the Rangers too. Not only has he been scoring, but his physical approach and strong work away from the puck have also transitioned seamlessly. Based on his versatile skill set, it would appear a virtual lock that he becomes an NHL player in some capacity. Facing a bit of a cap crunch thanks to some high profile RFA’s, one has to wonder if New York trades off a veteran forward or two in order to make room for Othmann as a top nine forward next season. He certainly looks ready and capable. From an upside perspective, the range of outcomes is wide. He could settle into more of a complementary middle six role, or he could end up becoming a high-end top six forward and point producer.

3. Matthew Robertson, D, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Matthew Robertson and the Rangers are about to arrive at a crossroads. At this point in his development, after three pro seasons, he is what he is. The offensive game was never going to be his calling card. However, he does excel in the defensive end as a physical, shut down type. Next season, it will require waivers to be sent to Hartford, yet after three AHL seasons, he has yet to play a single NHL game. Is he ready? That’s a question that will be answered at next season’s training camp where he will have a shot at a role on the team’s third pairing or as a seventh defender. Can he keep up with the pace of NHL forwards and not be a liability with the puck in the face of an NHL forecheck? As a former high pick who has played fairly well as a pro, he should remain fairly highly regarded; he is still a potentially solid #4 who can work well with a more offensively oriented rearguard.

4. Brett Berard, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Brett Berard has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers this season. Much like Othmann, he has been terrific for Hartford as an AHL rookie. The difference being that Berard was entering his rookie season with lower expectations after his development at Providence College had appeared to have plateaued. Instead, he’s been among the AHL’s top rookie scorers, and he looks the part of a future middle six, high energy guy for New York. The diminutive forward (at 5’ 9”) plays a fearless game. He’s a very aggressive forechecker. He can kill penalties. He drives the net and battles for touches in high traffic areas. He’s not an easy player for defenders to pin down. Is the offensive upside as significant as Othmann? We would say no. However, he looks like a future fan favourite in the Big Apple who can provide a ton of versatility to the coaching staff. That could happen as early as next season if the Rangers are looking to save cap space.

5. Adam Sykora, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

One of the few U20 players in the AHL this season, Sykora has played a checking line role for Hartford, showing flashes of NHL potential. He was drafted with the mantra of being a real “lunch pail” type of player; someone who could do the dirty work on a scoring line and who could be a solid complementary piece in the middle six. Known for his physicality as a draft eligible player in Slovakia, he just wasn’t strong enough or quick enough yet to be just that in the AHL this season. One has to wonder if he would have been better off playing in the CHL as a 20-year-old to help him gain confidence in his offensive abilities. All that said, it’s important to note his age when analyzing his offensive production and overall confidence level in the AHL. He’s still a ways away from being an NHL player, but he also still possesses great upside as a high end third line player who can develop into a terrific two-way forward.

6. Bryce McConnell-Barker, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

The Soo Greyhounds had a really strong season in the OHL this year. You would have figured that would have correlated with BMB (as he’s affectionately known) having a great year individually. That wasn’t really the case as we saw other Greyhounds step up and overtake him in terms of making a consistent impact. McConnell-Barker is still a solid NHL prospect because of his shot/scoring potential, solid skating base, and developing two-way instincts. However, there is concern that his development has plateaued a bit after he failed to crack the point per game mark as a 20-year-old in the CHL, often times the kiss of death for a player’s NHL upside. He still needs to develop that killer instinct that would take his game to another level. His physical intensity can waver and in order to be an impact pro, that will need to improve. He will turn pro next year with Hartford and will likely be brought along slowly given their depth.

7. Dylan Garand, G, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

In 2022, Dylan Garand was on top of the world. He helped Canada capture a gold medal at the WJC and he was the CHL’s goaltender of the year. Last season, there were bumps along the road in his first pro season with Hartford, but optimism remained high. This year, it would be tough to argue that Garand was that much better as a sophomore. Stagnation is never a great sign. He is a great play tracker and very technically sound, but is he athletic enough to be a true difference at the pro level given his lack of size? When you look at the smaller netminders excelling today like Juuse Saros, Dustin Wolf, and Devon Levi, they are all exceptional athletes. At this point, Garand needs to do a better job of fighting through traffic to make saves and challenging shooters more aggressively to help him overcome his size deficit. He’s still the team’s top option in net for the future, but the 2024-25 season will be a big one for his development.

8. Drew Fortescue, D, Boston College (NCAA)

It ended up being a terrific post draft year for Drew Fortescue, following former NTDP teammate Gabe Perreault to Boston College. Fortescue ended up playing a key defensive role for BC as a freshman, also helping the U.S. capture gold at the World Junior Championships. The strong skating, 6’ 2” defender plays a steady, mature game in the defensive zone. His transitional defense is excellent because of his footwork, and he’s worked hard to bulk up to make himself more difficult to play against. At times, his play with the puck and overall decision making can leave something to be desired. He’s going to need to work on his exits and his ability to handle the forecheck, but should that happen, Fortescue has the skill set to become a dependable #4-5 defender for the Rangers in the future. Just don’t expect him any time soon, as he likely spends another couple years in college to help him improve his two-way game and confidence.

9. Noah Laba, C, Colorado College (NCAA)

Laba was one of the most improved players in the Rangers’ system this year after earning a Hobey Baker nomination with Colorado College. He was good as a freshman two years ago, but this year he carried Colorado College to 20 wins and a top ranking. They ended up barely missing out on earning a spot in the Frozen Four tournament, but the season was a massive success as CC finished with a winning record for the first time in over a decade. Laba is your prototypical, hardworking, two-way center. He has good size and length. He skates well. He brings a physical element. He shows great awareness in all three zones. It would appear that Laba will return to Colorado College for his junior year, and this is a great thing for his development. The Rangers will be looking for another jump in production from him as the talent around him improves. He looks like a future middle six candidate.

10. Matthew Rempe, C, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Is there an NHL prospect who has made more headlines this year than Matt Rempe? The big winger has taken the NHL by storm thanks to his physicality and pugilistic activities. Now in his second year of pro hockey after a junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Rempe will never be known for his offensive abilities. His skill set is limited to work near the net, although he has the potential to be a near immovable object from that area with his 6’ 8”, 240 lbs frame. However, he has impressed at times with his energy and work off the puck as part of New York’s fourth line since a call up. Is his play sustainable or is he a flash in the pan because of how often he has been fighting? That remains to be seen. At the very least, he has shown himself to be an intriguing prospect who could have a long career in a depth role, on top of being a fan favourite in the Big Apple.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team USA

Ethan Hetu — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 12:52:54 +0000

While a third-place finish at last year’s tournament was far from a poor effort, USA Hockey surely has its eyes on the gold medal given all the talent recent American WJC squads have boasted. The Americans took home the gold at the 2021 tournament, and this year’s squad has a strong chance to reach that mountaintop once again.

It all starts up front for Team USA. They have arguably the best set of forwards in the entire tournament, a point emphasized when Cole Eiserman (ranked fifth overall in the recent McKeen’s 2024 draft rankings) surprisingly failed to make it onto the preliminary roster. The star of the show here for the Americans is likely to be its top two lines. First and foremost, expect head coach David Carle to keep intact the Gabriel Perreault - Will Smith - Ryan Leonard line from Boston College and previously the NTDP. Their presence on the Americans’ roster is an immense privilege for the program: a plug-and-play line with that level of talent is such an asset in a brief tournament where chemistry can be hard to build on such short notice. Beyond that line, there are a few players who are likely to occupy top-end scoring roles, such as 2022 first-rounders Cutter Gauthier, Jimmy Snuggerud, and potentially even a resurgent Isaac Howard, who has been rejuvenated at Michigan State after a difficult debut year in college hockey.

The Americans also have impressive depth beyond just those listed names. Players such as Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Danny Nelson, and Gavin Brindley would be slated for impact roles in other programs, but on Team USA they face a tough fight for a scoring-line role and are more likely to play in the bottom-six.

On defense, the abundance of talent continues. As has been the case in the past, the Americans have an abundance of smaller defensemen who profile more in puck-moving offensive roles. That being said, while the lack of diversity in terms of skill set among the listed defensemen is up for debate, what isn’t is their level of talent. Led by Boston University superstar Lane Hutson, the Americans boast a few defensemen with genuine game-breaking potential. Hutson is likely to serve as a key offensive conduit and power play quarterback, though if he somehow falters the team also has Seamus Casey or even freshman superstar Zeev Buium to take up that role. In addition, players such as Sam Rinzel, Ryan Chesley, and Drew Fortescue provide some much-needed size and, especially in the case of the latter two, defensive bite. While this blueline group isn’t quite the obvious tournament-wide standout assortment of talent that the team’s forward corps is likely to be, it’s nonetheless an enviable group of prospects.

In net, the Americans are in a far stronger position than they were last year. Both Jacob Fowler and Trey Augustine have been standout freshmen goalies, with Fowler in particular holding a stellar .925 save percentage at the time of writing. The battle for the number-one job between Fowler and Augustine will be a storyline to watch for the Americans: while Augustine will likely get the first chance as a returning player (he started for USA at last year’s tournament) Fowler has a reputation for performing at his best when the lights are brightest.

Lane Hutson of USA during the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship bronze medal game between USA and Sweden on January 5, 2023 in Halifax.
Photo: Simon Hastegård / BILDBYRÅN /

10 Players to Watch + Sleeper

Cutter Gauthier, C, Boston College (Philadelphia Flyers)

Before we even get to the trio of Boston College freshmen that have attracted so many headlines over the past calendar year, respect must be paid to the fifth-overall pick from the 2022 draft. Gauthier’s 13 goals for the Eagles so far this season rank him second (tied with WMU’s Dylan Wendt) in college hockey, and he’s quickly proving that he’ll be ready for a shot in the NHL with the Flyers once his college season ends. A six-foot-two sniper with some power forward elements to his game, Gauthier is likely to be America’s second top-six center alongside Eagle teammate Will Smith. He’s made refinements to his game since his freshman campaign and could be even better in this year’s WJC than he was at last year’s, when he scored 10 points in seven games. If the Americans end up accomplishing what they set out to do - which is win gold - there’s no doubt they’ll do so thanks to significant contributions from Gauthier.

Will Smith, C, Boston College (San Jose Sharks)

The highest-drafted American-born player of the 2023 class is set to take a coveted top-six center role for the Americans, assuming his line with Perreault and Leonard is in fact the Americans’ most relied-upon trio of forwards. An extremely creative offensive dynamo, Smith has started off his collegiate career well and is a candidate to turn pro as soon as the Eagles’ campaign finishes. He ripped the U-18 Worlds apart last season, scoring a tournament-high 20 points and winning MVP honors. While the competition is notably more difficult at the World Juniors, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see him put together a similarly dominant performance. The presence BC teammate Gauthier on the American squad might push Smith out of some of the highest-leverage moments, but regardless, when Smith steps onto the ice any shift he plays will become must-watch television. He’s that skilled, and his line is that good.

Gabriel Perreault, LW, Boston College (New York Rangers)

Unlike his linemates Leonard and Smith, Perreault did not hear his name called inside the top-10 picks at the 2023 draft. He had to wait all the way until pick 23, and now the World Juniors provides him with a massive stage to show the teams at passed on him just how massive the mistake they made is. Perreault has been a play-driving offensive force as a Boston College freshman, and he has helped make his line arguably the best in college hockey this season. A playmaker first and foremost, Perreault has a knack for elevating each and every player who shares the ice with him, regardless of that player’s individual talent level. While Smith and Leonard got more attention from NHL teams at the draft, Perreault quietly shoulders a massive amount of responsibility for the success of his line. Expect that to continue at the World Juniors.

Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College (Washington Capitals)

As we indicated in our draft coverage of the 2023 cycle, Leonard is a player that’s almost impossible to dislike. A gritty, hard-working forward who also has a ton of skill, Leonard has had a successful transition to college hockey and currently ranks second on the Eagles in scoring with 10 goals in just 18 games. When the Americans need an important goal, Leonard is one the players most likely to provide it -- just as he did in overtime for the Americans at the U18 Worlds, his tally lifting the Americans to a gold medal over Sweden. The WJC provides Leonard with a major stage to show people why the Capitals felt comfortable drafting him with the seventh pick at last year’s draft, and Leonard has shown he can excel on big stages. While Cutter Gauthier is the older, more advanced shooter, Leonard is absolutely a candidate to potentially lead this team in goals.

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, Minnesota (St. Louis Blues)

Snuggerud, a St. Louis Blues prospect, had an unbelievable freshman campaign with the Golden Gophers on one of college hockey’s finest lines last season. Alongside Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies, Snuggerud put up 50 points in just 40 games and led his team to the National Championship game. He was also stellar at the World Juniors, and his five-goal, 13-point performance would likely have garnered more attention had Connor Bedard not decided to set the world on fire to the tune of 23 points. So far this season, the loss of Knies and Cooley to the NHL has put a bit of a damper on Snuggerud’s production, although he’s still hovering near the point-per-game mark. Snuggerud has had to find ways to create consistent offense as a true offensive centerpiece rather than as a conduit for the individual creativity of players such as Cooley or Knies, and while that’s undeniably a positive thing for him to be developing, it’ll be interesting to see how he fares in his return to the WJC now that he’s slated to be back on a line with some extremely high-upside teammates.

Danny Nelson, C, Notre Dame (New York Islanders)

The Americans don’t have any shortage of offensive skill up and down their forward lineup. The team is unlikely to have any issue taking residence in the offensive zone, spending a significant amount of time there looking to create offense, especially against weaker opponents. But in the tight games against other tournament heavyweights, having a player like Nelson is crucial. The six-foot-three New York Islanders prospect has been solid to start his collegiate career, scoring 14 points in 18 games for Notre Dame. As a prototypical power forward, Nelson blends offensive skill, scoring touch, and spurts of physical play into one highly projectable package of tools. While Nelson is unlikely to usurp one of the more skilled Americans from a scoring-line job, someone needs to occupy an important bottom-six role, and the leading candidate for best bottom-sixer on Team USA at this moment is Nelson.

Lane Hutson, LHD, Boston University (Montreal Canadiens)

On a team full of extremely talented puck-moving, offensively-oriented defensemen, Hutson could very well be the best. The Montreal Canadiens prospect had an extremely good freshman campaign for the Terriers, playing his way into Hobey Baker conversation before the Award was ultimately taken by Fantilli. He’s continued his success into this campaign and is likely to begin the tournament quarterbacking the American power play. A dynamic offensive creator with the puck on his stick, Hutson plays like a point guard in the offensive zone. He’s also a shooting threat, as his 23 goals in 54 NCAA games would suggest. Hutson had a solid Men’s World Championship tournament with the American squad sent to Tampere last summer, holding his own against seasoned professionals and current and former NHLers. He’ll carry that experience into this tournament, where on paper he looks to be the Americans’ most important defenseman.

Ryan Chesley, RHD, Minnesota (Washington Capitals)

The Americans’ roster construction is somewhat skewed towards smaller, more offensively-oriented defensemen, and that’s just a product of the talent available for selection to USA Hockey. As a result of this, the importance of Chesley to the Americans’ gold medal hopes cannot be overstated. The Washington Capitals 2022 second-round pick is a defense-first blueliner who excels at limiting his opponents’ offensive activity. While he doesn’t have the strongest offensive side to his game, Chesley is likely to be paired with one of America’s aggressive puck-moving left-shot blueliners, with the idea being that Chesley’s defense will make up for the defensive shortcomings of the player he’s paired with. If Chesley’s defensive strength provides a player like Hutson the breathing room to play more aggressively and take more offensive risks, Chesley’s pairing could easily become the team’s best.

Zeev Buium, LHD, Denver (2024 Draft Prospect)

The lone draft-eligible skater on the American roster, Buium is having a special freshman season with the Denver Pioneers. The smooth-skating defenseman oozes intelligence and seems to make an impact on nearly every shift in college, which is a remarkable statement to make about a freshman defenseman still yet to be drafted. His 25 points so far this season are the most of any defenseman in college hockey. Not any freshman defenseman, but any defenseman, period. But it’s not just about points with Buium, his skating ability and his hockey IQ make him a strong defensive asset at times, and his ability to facilitate zone exits is a particular point of strength. The Pioneers are a lethal offensive team with several players already putting up gaudy point totals. It’s no coincidence that the players putting up those numbers often get to share the ice with Buium. He’s not yet a dynamic offensive force the way a blueliner like Hutson is, but his play helps allow his team’s best offensive players to actually spend time creating offense. On a stacked American team Buium is unlikely to get a significant role like the one he has in Denver, but whatever minutes he does play are likely to enhance his stock in advance of next summer’s draft.

Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College (Montreal Canadiens)

Although Augustine is, as mentioned, likely to get the first shot at starting for the Americans due to his experience starting for the program at last year’s edition of the tournament, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see Team USA eventually turn to Fowler. Unlike many of the players named to the American roster, Fowler isn’t a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program. The Florida native instead spent his draft year with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, and his .952 playoff save percentage backstopped the team to a Clark Cup championship. Fowler has made significant strides in his game since arriving at Boston College, addressing some key concerns scouts had that saw him fall to the third round of the 2023 draft. He reportedly cut his weight down a noticeable amount and is playing with more fluidity and confidence than ever before. He’s been one of the best goalies in college hockey this season and has the kind of personality and temperament to handle the pressure that comes from being the goalie of a team that expects to take home a gold medal.

Sleeper: Drew Fortescue

As mentioned, the Americans’ roster is currently skewed more towards defensemen oriented towards the offensive side of the game. That places Fortescue, a 2023 third-round pick, in an interesting situation. As a more traditional defense-first defenseman, Fortescue could play a bigger role on Team USA than he might otherwise have played if the Americans’ defense was a bit more balanced. As one of just three left-shot defensemen, Fortescue could end up paired with a dynamic puck-mover such as Seamus Casey, and getting the chance to be the Marc Methot to Casey’s Erik Karlsson on such a major stage could raise Fortescue’s prospect stock significantly. His lack of size compared to a player such as Rinzel means that he won’t make scouts drool, but his quietly effective defensive play could make him one of the most subtly valuable members of the American team.

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #23

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:00:43 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 04: New York Rangers left wing Brennan Othmann (78) skates with the puck during a preseason game between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils on October 4, 2023 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey.(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

Top 20 New York Rangers Prospects

1. Brennan Othmann

With the game on the line, there are not many prospects that you’d rather have on the ice. Othmann seems to shine when his team is in the thick of things, stepping up his game to the occasion. Selected 16th overall in 2021, he was coming off a season overseas with EHC Olten in the Swiss League, while also winning an Under 18’s gold medal with Canada. The next season, returning to the OHL as the captain of the Flint Firebirds, he popped off with a 97-point performance. He also helped Canada to a World Juniors gold medal - his first of two consecutive golds at the prestigious tournament. His production slowed last year, but there’s no call for panic with the prospect. Othmann has one of the best shots of any prospect, has high-end offensive awareness, and brings a physical presence to the ice. He has top six potential and should be a fan favourite.

2. Zac Jones

It feels like Jones has been around forever with the Rangers. He was drafted in 2019, 68th overall, out of the USHL Tri-City Storm. With the Storm, he was named Rookie of the Year, led all defensemen in assists (45), and was named to the Second All-Star Team. He then jumped to the NCAA with UMass the following season, where he spent two years before turning pro. In his sophomore season, he helped the team to an NCAA title, while being named to the All-Tournament team. He also dressed for Team USA at the World Championship, winning a bronze medal. He signed with the Rangers after that title run and has been on the cusp of breaking into the NHL ever since. Jones is a strong quarterback, leading play from his own end. He’s a very intelligent player that will translate very well to the NHL and should be a successful top four defender.

3. Gabe Perreault

Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Eichel. Just a few of the names that Perreault passed this year as he broke the single season point record as part of the USNTDP U18 team. An average-sized forward without elite physical tools, Perreault is not a dynamic skater. A lack of high-end agility and edgework can limit his ability to evade pressure and work between the hash marks. As his draft year progressed, he underwent a transformation becoming significantly more assertive and finding ways to fight through contact to become less of a perimeter player. Additionally, as you might expect as the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault, Gabe has high end awareness and vision. His IQ grade was among the highest of any player eligible in 2023. Headed to Boston College with his NTDP linemates (Will Smith and Ryan Leonard), he will be given lots of time to develop physically before he turns pro. He will likely need it too. He can ultimately be a strong complementary scoring line piece with the right physical development.

4. Will Cuylle

It’s been a steady rise for the Rangers’ 60th overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft since hearing his name called. He had to make the jump to the AHL during the OHL-cancelled season. He played well at the higher level, but didn’t impact the play too much. He returned to the OHL as the captain of the Windsor Spitfires in 2021-22, putting up an 80-point performance and adding another 31 points in the playoffs. That was enough for the Rangers, who brought him back up to the Hartford Wolf Pack where he has since been the team’s top scorer. Cuylle has an excellent shot and loves to make things happen, always seeming to get involved in the play. He’s strong and knows how to use his strength, which should help him become an impactful third liner in the NHL. He saw some games last season and shouldn’t be too far off now from earning a permanent NHL roster spot.

5. Matthew Robertson

Drafted 49th overall in 2019, Robertson has always been a consistent, reliable defender. His development has then followed suit, steadily rising since his time with the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings. His production steadily rose, and the Rangers bet on that continuing when they called his name. In 2021-22, he made the jump to the AHL and that steady upwards trend has continued. The question will be how high he can continue to rise and where will he flatten out. A sturdy defender who moves well, especially for his 6 -4” height. He can chip in offensively, showing that he knows when to creep up into the play in the offensive zone. Robertson keeps an active stick and does well at breaking plays up. There isn’t anything that screams NHL, but his lack of glaring holes is interesting as well. Unless he surprises, he’s likely en route to a role as a depth defender.

6. Adam Sykora

One of many exciting Slovak prospects in the 2022 Draft-class, the Rangers called Sykora’s name 63rd overall. He had spent the better part of the past two seasons with HK Nitra in the top Slovak professional league, steadily raising his stock each season. His 2021-22 season also impressed at the international level, dressing for Slovakia in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, D1A U18s, WJC, and the World Championships. Sykora is a hard-working prospect, who you can never count out of a play. His hands also stand out, as he seems to catch every puck that comes near him. He could be plugged anywhere into the lineup, in any situation, and you’d be more than happy with his play. He likely carves out a comfortable role for himself as a third liner but could outperform that given his drive.

7. Dylan Garand

It seems to be a quiet fact that Garand is one of the top goaltending prospects out there right now. After a successful WHL career capped off by a dominant final season that saw him win both WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year awards, he has now made the jump to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. A quick glance at his numbers would make it seem like he struggled to adjust, but if you watch him you wouldn’t think that’s the case. He’s an athletic netminder who plays a great technical game, and his positioning is usually excellent. Garand is a calm presence behind a group of players that love his attitude and love playing in front of him, and that’s something that will influence his continued progress. As with most goalies, there’s no rush here and the Rangers can be patient with him in the AHL.

8. Bryce McConnell-Barker

McConnell-Barker headed into his OHL rookie campaign only to have the entire season shut down due to the pandemic. He came into 2021-22, his new rookie season as well as his draft year, and had to get quickly back up to speed. He had a good season but didn’t overly impress and went from a prospect once considered a first rounder to being selected 97th overall. Last season, however, he was named team captain and took a massive step forward. The Rangers noticed this, and rewarded him with an entry-level deal. He has a good wrist shot and plays a very smart, relatively mistake-free game. There’s nothing elite to his game that will carry him forward, but his consistency could see him rise to a bottom six or depth piece.

9. Brett Berard

The players that never quit, always battle hard, and seem to be involved in every play seem to make it more often than not, and Berard falls into that category. After being drafted 134th overall in 2020 from the USNTDP, the winger moved to NCAA Providence College. It took him a season to adjust, but he got very comfortable in 2021-22, being named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team. His production dipped a bit in 2022-23, but the Rangers had seen enough, signing him to his first NHL contract and bringing him up to the AHL. He’s on the smaller side at 5- 9”, but he always has his foot on the gas and has a deceptive amount of skill. His small-area game and ability to win puck battles stands out, as he ends up with the puck far more often than you would otherwise expect. Look for him to carve out a bottom six role in the NHL.

10. Ryder Korczak

Selected 75th overall in the 2021 Draft, Korczak seemed like he was going to steal an AHL roster spot to start the year but couldn’t find his footing and was ultimately sent back to the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors where he had a very strong season. In his last season in the league, he stood out as a leader on the team while having great production. His shot really took a step forward as well, as he looked much more comfortable shooting rather than his usual pass-first tendency. He does well at driving the play into the offensive zone and found success on the power play last season. His ceiling isn’t overly high and probably ends up as a depth forward but could be a player always in the conversation to earn a spot at the start of the season.

11. Ty Emberson

A right shot defender with a physical edge, Emberson emerged as one of Hartford’s best blueliners last season. Acquired from Arizona, he has pushed himself close to the top of the Rangers’ call up options and is firmly in their future plans.

12. Drew Fortescue

One of the most improved players on the USNTDP last season, Fortescue parlayed his improved play into a third-round selection. The mobility is a standout quality, but how the rest of his game comes together at Boston College remains a bit of a mystery.

13. Noah Laba

The tenacious two-way center had a great freshman year for Colorado College and subsequently earned a spot on the United States’ world junior team. Laba is a potential third- or fourth-line center for the Rangers after a few more years in College.

14. Bobby Trivigno

A former standout with UMass and a Hobey Baker nominee, Trivigno’s first pro season in Hartford was a disappointment. His lack of size and strength really appeared to hinder his production. Can he improve in his second year?

15. Karl Henriksson

Henriksson does a lot of things well, but one can’t help but wonder if his development has stalled. He showed flashes of effectiveness as a two-way playmaker last year as an AHL rookie, but at his size, what’s the upside?

16. Maxim Barbashev

The younger brother of Vegas standout Ivan Barbashev, Maxim brings a lot of the same things to the table. As he returns to Moncton for his OA year, the focus needs to be on improving his skating.

17. Jaroslav Chmelar

Thus far, Chmelar is the kind of player whose production has yet to match the eye test and his assumed potential. The big winger is plenty skilled and he was apparently a standout at the Rangers development camp, however more will be expected from him at as a sophomore with Providence College.

18. Brandon Scanlin

A free agent signing out of Nebraska-Omaha, Scanlin was adequate as an AHL rookie for Hartford last year. However, the Rangers’ system is quickly getting crowded with similar types of defenders. Can Scanlin pass any on the depth chart?

19. Adam Edstrom

An unmovable object near the crease thanks to his humongous frame, the question will ultimately be, can Edstrom skate well enough to keep pace at the pro level in North America? He will be an AHL rookie with Hartford this season.

20. Lauri Pajuniemi

The Rangers will retain Pajuniemi’s rights as he leaves for the SHL this season. His offensive abilities never truly translated to the AHL level and the Rangers’ pro depth certainly played a role in blocking him. Not a complete write off yet, but close.

2023 NHL DRAFT: A Review

Chase Rochon — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:10:53 +0000

Another long year of amazing hockey has come and passed as we oficially end the 2023 scouting season and shift from the star-studded offensive draft class to the defensive-heavy 2024 NHL draft. This year's class was super fun and had the potential to bring the big stars and deep depth that we saw in the 2015 draft. This makes it very difficult to rank the winners and losers as every team acquired some very talented athletes in their organization that should make an impact for many years to come. Some teams acquired some elite star players at draft positions they didn't think would be possible at lower picks and later rounds. Those picks make the difference between good and great drafting by ﬁnding those diamonds in the rough.

NHL hockey operations departments are made up of the best of the best in the industry and have been through more drafts and different case studies over more years than I have been alive, which creates some hesitation in handing out grades for teams that we felt drafted poorly or passed on talent or upside. It is important to remember that teams take into consideration so many intangibles and factors outside any eye test or analytics can tell us. They have considerable resources and information networks public scouting teams can only dream of.

Most importantly, people need to remember these young athletes are human beings that just had the best week of their lives and treating them disrespectfully and pre-judging a young man that has yet to fully develop mentally and physically is completely unfair. I think every fan base should be showing love and support for the future players that are going to put in blood sweat and tears for the team you cheer for and go to war against the opposition.

With all that in mind, here is how I think all 32 teams performed at the 2023 NHL Draft based on my own rankings as well as the wonderful team at McKeen’s that I have the pleasure working alongside.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - DECEMBER 29: Canada's Connor Bedard #16 backhands the puck while Austria's Tim Geifes #21 defends during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on December 29, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

#1 Chicago Blackhawks (A+)

1 Connor Bedard (F)

19 Oliver Moore (F)

35 Adam Gajan (G)

44 Roman Kantserov (F)

55 Martin Misiak (F)

67 Nick Lardis (F)

93 Jiri Felcman (F)

99 Alex Pharand (F)

131 Marcel Marcel (F)

167 Milton Oscarson (F)

195 Janne Peltonen (D)

It feels very ﬁtting that the number one ranked team had the number one pick this year in the generational talent of Connor Bedard, who is expected to make an immediate impact. Kyle Davidson clearly agrees by bringing in some veteran support this summer in Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry. This pick was obvious. What makes the Blackhawks stand out is what might be my favourite selection of the entire draft in Oliver Moore at 19th overall, where I, alongside Davidson, was in shock this player was still on the board—followed by selecting one of if not one of the best goaltenders in Adam Gajan. We absolutely loved Nick Lardis at McKeens, and we ﬁnd this to be amazing value in the early third round. Roman Kantserov, Martin Misiak, Alex Pharand and Marcel Marcel are other great pickups to round out the real depth of this draft class for the Blackhawks as they build the next generation in Chicago.

#2 Columbus Blue Jackets (A)

3 Adam Fantilli (F)

34 Gavin Brindley (F)

66 William Whitelaw (F)

98 Andrew Strathmann (D)

114 Luca Pinelli (F)

156 Melvin Strahl (G)

194 Oiva Keskinen (F)

224 Tyler Peddle (F)

The Blue Jackets' dreams came true when Adam Fantilli was still waiting for them at third overall, as the rookie Hobey Baker winner would have been selected ﬁrst overall in any other draft. Followed up by his Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley who we at McKeens had ranked #26. William Whitelaw ranked at #39 by McKeen’s, and Andrew Strathmann, ranked #39 by me, are amazing values. I really like Luca Pinelli at #114 and thought it was a great move to trade for the last pick in the draft and select Tyler Peddle, who was in attendance and should have been selected much higher. This will be the draft that could really put the Blue Jackets over the top to be a future contender in the Metro.

#3 Philadelphia Flyers (A)

7 Matvei Michkov (F)

22 Oliver Bonk (D)

51 Carson Bjarnason (G)

87 Yegor Zavragin (G)

95 Denver Barkey (F)

103 Cole Knuble (F)

120 Alex Ciernik (F)

135 Carter Sotheran (D)

172 Ryan MacPherson (F)

199 Matteo Mann (D)

The Flyers got a player with arguably the highest upside in the class in 7th overall in Matvei Michkov alone, which is enough to rank them this high. Aside from whether there is any truth to rumours that he somehow orchestrated his way to Philadelphia, he was genuinely excited to be drafted by the organization. The possibility that he will be coming to play in North America perhaps sooner rather than later could completely alter the landscape of the rebuild for GM Daniel Briere. They followed up by selecting Oliver Bonk, who our Ontario scouts adore at McKeens, including myself. Bonk will continue to develop in London. The Carson Bjarnson pick could age very well as a good young goaltender with a long road of development ahead. Denver Barkey and Alex Cienik are great value picks at 95th and 120th.

#4 Seattle Kraken (A-)

20 Eduard Sale (F)

50 Carson Rehkopf (F)

52 Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (F)

57 Lukas Dragicevic (D)

84 Caden Price (D)

116 Andrei Loshko (F)

148 Kaden Hammell (D)

168 Visa Vedenpää (G)

180 Zeb Forsfjäll (F)

212 Zaccharya Wisdom (F)

Seattle has been consistently one of the better drafting teams since they entered the league, and they continued that streak in Nashville. Eduard Sale is very much a gamble with questions about his compete lvel and lack of production against pros. However, he possesses elite ﬁnishing ability and was dominant against players his own age. He has a very high ceiling that I believe can be developed properly in the OHL, followed by the development team in Seattle. At the end of the day, with such a great prospect pool, you can take a swing for upside at #20 overall and can add a true top-line ﬁnisher for Shane Wright or Matty Beniers. The Kraken continues to favour the CHL and loaded up with more players in Carson Rehkopf, Lukas Dragicevic and Caden Price in the late second round. They had all been viewed as late ﬁrst/early second round talents. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard has the potential to bring some real energy to the bottom six and PK and become a really good role player for the team. I had him ranked at #30th betting on his high motor and relentless pressure with some ﬁnishing ability.

#5 Carolina Hurricanes (A-)

30 Bradly Nadeau (F)

62 Felix Unger Sörum (F)

94 Jayden Perron (F)

100 Alexander Rykov (F)

126 Stanislav Yarovoy (F)

139 Charles-Alexis Legault (D)

158 Ruslan Khazheyev (G)

163 Timur Mukhanov (F)

190 Michael Emerson (F)

222 Yegor Velmakin (G)

Bradley Nadeau was the highest player selected from the BCHL after having a monster year. He was ranked #27 by McKeens, which makes for a good pick late in the ﬁrst. Where Carolina impressed us was how well they drafted in the later rounds picking up some of the biggest steals of the draft in Jayden Perron who we ranked 34th and Timur Mukhanov ranked 98th. As they typically do, Carolina drafted great to add to the loaded prospect pool.

#6 Buffalo Sabres (A-)

13 Zach Benson (F)

39 Anton Wahlberg (F)

45 Maxim Strbak (D)

86 Gavin McCarthy (D)

109 Ethan Miedema (F)

141 Scott Ratzlaff (G)

173 Sean Keohane (D)

205 Norwin Panocha (D)

Draft after draft Buffalo ﬁnds themselves selecting some great players but I think Zach Benson could be the final elite piece they need to take them back to the playoffs and end the long drought. Benson is the smartest player in the draft after Connor Bedard. They followed up with good picks in Anton Wahlberg and Maxim Strbak. I really like the value of Ethan Miedema and Scott Ratzlaff in rounds 4 and 5.

#7 St. Louis Blues (B+)

10 Dalibor Dvorský (F)

25 Otto Stenberg (F)

29 Theo Lindstein (D)

74 Quinton Burns (D)

76 Juraj Pekarcik (F)

106 Jakub Stancl (F)

138 Paul Fischer (D)

170 Matthew Mayich (D)

202 Nikita Susuyev (F)

Dalibor Dvorský and Otto Stenberg could be an amazing one-two punch down the middle in the near future as the Blues shift towards the future and away from the team that won them the 2019 Stanley Cup. I think Dvorsky and Stenberg both have been underrated as they tend to be looked at as “safe picks” - a term that I sometimes hate because it shouldn’t discount the true skill these players have. Because they are viewed as having lower ceilings than some other top names in the class they fell at the draft, and St. Louis took full advantage and selected the best player available. The rest of the Blues draft was very average, not making any poor selections but also not taking any swings on some big names with upside.

#8 Washington Capitals (B+)

8 Ryan Leonard (F)

40 Andrew Cristall (F)

104 Patrick Thomas (F)

136 Cameron Allen (D)

200 Brett Hyland (F)

206 Antoine Keller (G)

The Capitals may not have had the luck they had hoped for in having Michkov fall to them, but they were very quick to the podium to select the NTDP gritty winger in Ryan Leonard. He brings a hard game and that’s no slight on the raw skill this kid has. After this year’s playoffs, NHL teams are looking to mold their roster after the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights and Leonard ﬁts that profile. Many, including myself, expected Andrew Cristall to fall on draft day but to 40th overall was quite surprising and Washington took full advantage, taking some risk on a junior perimeter player. Going into the draft year we expected Cameron Allen to be the ﬁrst OHL player off the board, but after a brutal season his stock plummeted. It’s hard to believe this talented young player entirely forgot how to play hockey and I think the Caps were willing to take this bet at 136.

#9 Colorado Avalanche (B)

27 Calum Ritchie (F)

31 Mikhail Gulyayev (D)

155 Nikita Ishimnikov (D)

187 Jeremy Hanzel (D)

219 Maros Jedlicka (F)

The Avalanche wouldn’t have expected to select Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev with these very late ﬁrst rounders who we ranked 19th and 24th. This is great value at these picks. I ﬁnd it very interesting that they went with a very smart player who has a low ceiling and a high ﬂoor in Ritchie but then took a bit of a gamble on Gulyayev who is the polar opposite with a high ceiling and low ﬂoor. Not having many picks, and not many high ones, they can consider it a win if Colorado can get a couple NHLers from such minimal selections.

#10 Los Angeles Kings (B)

54 Jakub Dvorak (D)

78 Koehn Ziemmer (F)

118 Hampton Slukynsky (G)

150 Matthew Mania (D)

182 Ryan Conmy (F)

Jakub Dvorak has been such an underrated player all season long because he hasn’t been playing due to injury and is not flashy and doesn’t have much of a highlight reel but he might be the best defensive defenseman to come from this draft class. Big frame players like Dvorak are rare and hard to ﬁnd and are typically viewed as underrated even in the NHL because they are never noticeable with the puck. Dvorak shut down all the top players in the U.S. NTDP top line, Dvorsky, Michkov and even Connor Bedard at international competitions. He makes life so hard for attackers and will be a nightmare for goal scorers in the NHL and people will wonder how he was selected so late. The Kings followed this up with good picks in Koehn Ziemmer and Matthew Mania.

#11 Florida Panthers (B)

63 Gracyn Sawchyn (F)

127 Albert Wikman (D)

159 Olof Glifford (G)

191 Luke Coughlin (D)

198 Stepan Zvyagin (F)

Florida was another team that capitalized on an underrated player who slid on draft day in Gracyn Sawchyn. He played on a star-studded Seattle Thunderbirds team and didn’t get the opportunity to play top minutes but that didn’t stop him from putting up over a point per game. He will continue to grow under a great development program as he gains more ice time and expect him to put up monster numbers in the WHL for the next two seasons.

#12 Dallas Stars (C+)

61 Tristan Bertucci (D)

79 Brad Gardiner (F)

125 Aram Minnetian (D)

157 Arno Tiefensee (G)

189 Angus MacDonell (F)

221 Sebastian Bradshaw (F)

Dallas had very minimal draft capital and made the absolute most of it to no one's surprise as they usually do. Amazing value in Tristan Bertucci and Aram Minnetian.

#13 Vegas Golden Knights (B-)

32 David Edstrom (F)

77 Mathieu Cataford (F)

96 Arttu Kärki (D)

192 Tuomas Uronen (F)

Vegas selecting David Edstrom almost felt destined to happen as the last pick of the first round as we expected him to be selected in the ﬁrst round. Great pick for the Stanley Cup winners. Arttu Karki was also my favorite Finnish defense this year and I think 96 is excellent value for a player of his skill.

#14 San Jose Sharks (B-)

4 Will Smith (F)

26 Quentin Musty (F)

36 Kasper Halttunen (F)

71 Brandon Svoboda (F)

123 Luca Cagnoni (D)

130 Axel Landén (D)

132 Eric Pohlkamp (D)

196 David Klee (F)

203 Yegor Rimashevsky (F)

The Sharks drafted the highly skilled forward Will Smith very high, and I know he has gained some real hype over the past few months to get into the top 5 but personally having him just outside the top 10 makes it very hard to justify so much talent and other options at pick 4. This is a take that really could come back to bite me but I just don't love what Smith and Musty bring to the table outside of the high offensive skill that they clearly both have. In terms of value picks I think Halttunen is the Sharks best pick. If he played in London last season, he would have been called on day one of the draft and still has the opportunity to come over next season and be one of the best players in the league right away. The Sharks drafted very well but 13 other teams just did better.

#15 Calgary Flames (B-)

16 Samuel Honzek (F)

48 Étienne Morin (D)

80 Aydar Suniev (F)

112 Jaden Lipinski (F)

176 Yegor Yegorov (G)

208 Axel Hurtig (D)

The Flames had a solid draft and got a player we can expect the be a safe NHLer in Samuel Honzek that was expected in this range. I think Etienne Mornin could be the steal for them. This is a player that is extremely intelligent, and I personally have a lot of faith will continue to have success in his own development each season and could be viewed as a late ﬁrst rounder in the near future. Aydar Suniev at 80th overall is also great value.

#16 Montréal Canadiens (B-)

5 David Reinbacher (D)

69 Jacob Fowler (G)

101 Florian Xhekaj (F)

110 Bogdan Konyushkov (D)

128 Quentin Miller (G)

133 Sam Harris (F)

144 Yevgeni Volokhin (G)

165 Filip Eriksson (F)

197 Luke Mittelstadt (D)

Montréal might be the most talked about team post draft for all the wrong reasons so being dead in the middle at 16 may come as a surprise to most. The dislike for me comes from picks 101-197 where they took seven guys they could have gotten in rounds 6 or 7, and unfortunately some of those picks were in rounds 4 and 5. Jacob Fowler is a good goalie that could be huge for them, with the organization having such little depth in that department. Now Reinbacher who is the talk of Twitter and unfortunately for terrible reasons. The only argument I can understand against him is that Michkov should have been the pick, but there were many question marks surrounding the Russian and his intentions, leaving the Habs in a situation with lots of uncertainty at pick #5. So, they understandably took a player with a lot of certainty in elite defenseman David Reinbacher. He has been the only player under 18 shutting down grown professional athletes and ex-NHLers for two years. If that's not impressive enough he didn't just defend, he also produced higher than anyone in their DY-2 and DY-1 ever.

David has a good head on his shoulders and will develop all the necessary skills to round out his game to become a high-end defenseman who will eat lots of minutes and make a huge impact. He may not put up great offensive numbers or make highlight reel plays. That's ok, he plays defense for a reason. Leave that for the loads of talented players you already have and let Reinbacher make the other team's life a living hell and win hockey games, because that's what it's all about.

#17 Arizona Coyotes (B-)

6 Dmitri Simashev (D)

12 Daniil But (F)

38 Michael Hrabal (G)

70 Jonathan Castagna (F)

72 Noel Nordh (F)

81 Tanner Ludtke (F)

88 Vadim Moroz (F)

102 Terrell Goldsmith (D)

134 Melker Thelin (G)

160 Justin Kipkie (D)

162 Samu Bau (F)

166 Carsen Musser (G)

Arizona may have not drafted our best player available in their slots, but they took an interesting strategy to this year's draft that might have been the best option based on the current state of the team. Dmitri Simashev was our number one ranked defenseman in the class while Danill But has displayed shades of Evgeni Malkin at times. Both played on the same team this past season. This put Arizona in a safer situation to swing on upside and internally develop them together and could very well be a big payoff. Hrabal is the pick that gives some extra value as my personal favorite goaltender in the class. Drafting all players over 6'0" is another interesting strategy that is hard to disagree with. Middle of the pack supports my mixed feelings on the drafting of the Coyotes.

#18 Winnipeg Jets (C)

18 Colby Barlow (F)

82 Zachary Nehring (F)

146 Jacob Julien (F)

151 Thomas Milic (G)

210 Connor Levis (F)

Winnipeg is facing a lot of potential turnover on their roster this season. Colby Barlow makes an excellent pick for the Jets, bringing in a character Canadian guy, on and off the ice, as a key piece to build upon. You can expect Barlow to score lots of goals in the near future. The rest of the picks are very average, so they receive an average grade.

#19 New York Rangers (C)

23 Gabe Perreault (F)

90 Drew Fortescue (D)

152 Rasmus Larsson (D)

178 Dylan Roobroeck (F)

183 Ty Henricks (F)

Gabe Perreault was good value at 23rd as I thought his production this season would lead to him going much higher than he should have and I think this was a good range for him. A smart player who can be a great complement to some high-end skill just like he did with the NTDP. The rest of the picks were not very average.

#20 Detroit Red Wings (C)

9 Nate Danielson (F)

17 Axel Sandin Pellikka (D)

41 Trey Augustine (G)

42 Andrew Gibson (D)

47 Brady Cleveland (D)

73 Noah Dower Nilsson (F)

117 Larry Keenan (D)

137 Jack Phelan (D)

147 Kevin Bicker (F)

169 Rudy Guimond (G)

201 Emmitt Finnie (F)

Detroit's draft was very interesting to me because I find it hard to criticize Steve Yzerman’s picks which have been excellent in the past with some home runs to show for it. Nate Danielson and Axel-Sandin Pellika are great players who will be NHLers and good ones. They just didn't strike me as the types of players Detroit has recently drafted with some hard nose battlers that are going to be warriors. I think it might take a while for either to become impact playoff players relative to some of the skill still left on the board, such as Oliver Moore at pick #9 and still available at #17. They pass with a C as most other picks were good, but just that they were good and not great, where teams ahead of them made some great picks.

#21 Edmonton Oilers (C)

56 Beau Akey (D)

184 Nathaniel Day (G)

216 Matt Copponi (F)

Beau Akey is a good pick that has a good path in front of him to reﬁne his offensive talents and become a threat from the point for the Colts over the next couple of seasons and get a real chance to make the Oilers. Hard to judge a team with such little options at the draft.

Leo Carlsson of Sweden at a practice session during the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on May 25, 2023 in Riga.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN /

#22 Anaheim Ducks (C-)

2 Leo Carlsson (F)

33 Nico Myatovic (F)

59 Carey Terrance (F)

60 Damian Clara (G)

65 Coulson Pitre (F)

85 Yegor Sidorov (F)

97 Konnor Smith (D)

129 Rodwin Dionicio (D)

161 Vojtech Port (D)

I think passing on Fantilli will be something that will haunt Anaheim for a long time and really hurts their grade even though they are getting a great talent in Leo Carlsson. Unfortunately, I have a hard time seeing Carlsson being the 2nd best player that comes from this class and when they are a top team in the league soon this selection might be the difference between a contender and a champion. Other than that, Myatovic, Terrance and Pitre are solid picks.

#23 Vancouver Canucks (D+)

11 Tom Willander (D)

75 Hunter Brzustewicz (C-)

89 Sawyer Mynio (D)

105 Ty Mueller (F)

107 Vilmer Alriksson (F)

119 Matthew Perkins (F)

171 Aiden Celebrini (D)

Willander was ranked 23rd by us at McKeens and is a great defenseman who happens to be in a star studded offensive heavy draft. I think the Canuks were guilty of drafting for need rather than best player available and that affected the grade. Other than that, there isn’t too much to like in the class other than Hunter Brzustewicz at 75 was a great selection.

#24 Nashville Predators (C-)

15 Matthew Wood (F)

24 Tanner Molendyk (D)

43 Felix Nilsson (F)

46 Kalan Lind (F)

68 Jesse Kiiskinen (F)

83 Dylan MacKinnon (D)

111 Joseph Willis (F)

121 Juha Jatkola (G)

143 Sutter Muzzatti (F)

175 Austin Roest

218 Aiden Fink

Nashville was the host of this year’s draft and advised by new GM Barry Trotz in an interview to take some swings on high upside to add some high-end skill to the prospect pool. Well, they just didn’t do any of that and delivered a mediocre draft outside of top prospect Matthew Wood. What makes their draft so disappointing is that after 10 consecutive picks, the next best value pick was David Poiles last pick in Aiden Fink in the 7th round. Expectations were high and far from reached.

#25 Tampa Bay Lightning (D)

37 Ethan Gauthier (F)

115 Jayson Shaugabay (F)

179 Warren Clark (D)

193 Jack Harvey (F)

211 Ethan Hay (F)

Tampa will ﬁnd a way to develop these players, especially Ethan Gauthier, because that’s what they do best within their system. I just believe they could have done it with the better options available and left talent on the table with every pick.

#26 New Jersey Devils (D+)

58 Lenni Hämeenaho (F)

122 Cam Squires (F)

154 Chase Cheslock (D)

164 Cole Brown (F)

186 Daniil Karpovich (D)

New Jersey was very inactive and didn’t take many swings this year and they are in a situation where they didn’t need to. Lenni Hameenaho was ranked 84 for us at McKeens and was a bit of a reach.

#27 Ottawa Senators (D)

108 Hoyt Stanley (D)

140 Matthew Andonovski (D)

204 Owen Beckner (F)

207 Vladimir Nikitin (G)

215 Nicholas VanTassell (F)

Ottawa did not have many picks and none very high. Hoyt Stanley is the only pick which has had some hype going into the draft and been noticeable this season. I wouldn’t expect anyone from the class to make the roster.

#28 Pittsburgh Penguins (D-)

14 Brayden Yager (F)

91 Emil Pieniniemi (D)

142 Mikhail Ye. Ilyin (F)

174 Cooper Foster (F)

217 Emil Järventie (F)

223 Kalle Kangas (D)

Another situation where good players were selected but when I look at this class, and Emil Jarventie is the best value pick in the 7th round, that is an issue for me. Yes, Brayden Yager is an excellent player with a deadly shot and a good head on his shoulders. It’s hard to give high grades when top 5-10 talents were still available where he was picked. This strikes me as more of a situation where the Penguins scouting staff were left to make the pick, more so than Dubas, and they went with the guy they targetted going into the draft rather than the best player available.

#29 Toronto Maple Leafs (D-)

28 Easton Cowan (F)

153 Hudson Malinoski (F)

185 Noah Chadwick (D)

The Easton Cowan pick is very difficult to grade because it really could go both ways. I understand the pick because you’re getting, debatably, the hardest working player in the class whose development is skyrocketing at a high pace under the teachings of the Hunters in London. You can expect this growth to continue over the next couple seasons. It woudl appear the Leafs aren’t selecting the 28th best player currently and are banking on Cowan being a ﬁrst round talent in 3-5 years, an approach I agree with. The issue I have with this pick is I really think you could have selected him later, and possibly much later. The 2nd round Is still a reach but at least you’re not leaving talent on the table in this deep draft and getting the maximum value out of each pick. I just think this was some poor asset management and the Leafs just focused on getting their guy. Time will be the true indicator.

#30 New York Islanders (D)

49 Danny Nelson (F)

113 Jesse Nurmi (F)

145 Justin Gill (F)

177 Zach Schulz (D)

209 Dennis Good Bogg (D)

Islanders drafted some good leadership in a pair of Captains in Danny Nelson and Zach Shulz. When that is the best thing to be said about the selections that is an issue.

#31 Boston Bruins (F+)

92 Christopher Pelosi (F)

124 Beckett Hendrickson (F)

188 Ryan Walsh (F)

214 Casper Nässén (F)

220 Kristian Kostadinski (D)

Beckett Hendrickson is the only reason they aren’t ranked 32nd.

#32 Minnesota Wild (F)

21 Charlie Stramel (F)

53 Rasmus Kumpulainen (F)

64 Riley Heidt (F)

149 Aaron Pionk (D)

181 Kalem Parker (D)

213 Jimmy Clark (F)

The Wild are the only team that gets an F grade. It’s not because I don't like the players in Charlie Stramel and Rasmus Kumpulainen because they are prospects I had on my personal board, but it’s very hard to justify these picks with the options still available on the board at the time of the picks. These are just too far off the board to not trade back and still get the player you want. We at McKeens ranked both these players as 3rd round talents.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – Two Round Mock Draft

Brock Otten — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:05:22 +0000

First Round

1 - Chicago Blackhawks - Connor Bedard (Regina, WHL)

Regardless of whether you believe that the Hawks deserved to win the first overall selection…it did happen. And the timing for the Chicago organization couldn’t have been better as they transition from the Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews era to the Connor Bedard era. This is a game changer that should accelerate the Blackhawk’s rebuild.

2 - Anaheim Ducks - Adam Fantilli (Michigan, NCAA)

Talk about power down the middle. By selecting the University of Michigan star, the Ducks can now boast a one/two punch at center of Mason McTavish and Adam Fantilli. That likely pushes Trevor Zegras to the wing long term, which might not be a terrible thing considering his struggles at the faceoff circle and defensively. Fantilli is one of the most polished two-way forwards in the league and his speed and strength should allow him to jump into the NHL immediately.

3 - Columbus Blue Jackets - Leo Carlsson (Orebro, SHL)

This is where things get really interesting. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen doesn’t draft a ton out of Sweden (Finnish bias?...lol), however I believe that this would be the best pick for the organization. Carlsson is the most ready to make an immediate impact in the NHL and he would give the Jackets a potential two-way rock to build their forward group around. This is a team who wants to compete soon and turn their fortunes around.

4 - San Jose Sharks - Will Smith (USNTDP)

For the life of me, I just can’t see Mike Grier going with Michkov here. Smith would give San Jose a highly skilled playmaker to continue to build around. He could help to elevate the play of some of the team’s complementary players. He may take a few years in College with BC, but the end product should be a high-end offensive player. Question…would it be shocking to see the Sharks reach for a defender like David Reinbacher here?

5 - Montreal Canadiens - Ryan Leonard (USNTDP)

It really seems like the Canadiens would pass on Michkov should he be available to them. It could be smoke and mirrors, but all signs do point to that fact. So, who do they select? Lots of hype around Reinbacher. I think they’re happy with their defensive depth right now. IMO. I truly believe that Ryan Leonard could be their target. Here’s a forward who can make an impact in a lot of different ways and who plays the power game that Montreal really seems to want to play in the future. Obviously Dalibor Dvorsky could be an option here too.

6- Arizona Coyotes - Matvei Michkov (HK Sochi, KHL)

I just can’t see Michkov falling that far. Yes, there is inherent risk. But the reward is so great. Arizona wants to become relevant again, but they also want to have sustainability. They haven’t shied away from drafting Russians in recent years, and this is a big fish. The timing of his arrival in the NHL should be perfect for Arizona’s inevitable resurgence.

7- Philadelphia Flyers - David Reinbacher (Kloten, NL)

A big, right shot defender, it seems like a sure thing that he’ll be drafted in the top ten, even if he’s our third ranked defender. The Flyers seem like a really good fit for him. Reinbacher is a potential two-way force from the right side who could develop into an all-situations player for Philadelphia and would complement other young defenders like Cam York and Emil Andrae exceptionally well.

8 - Washington Capitals - Oliver Moore (USNTDP)

Would it be shocking to see Moore drafted ahead of Ryan Leonard? I don’t think so. NHL teams put such a premium on true centers and Moore is just that. Watching the Capitals in recent years, it’s obvious that they need to focus on upgrading the speed quotient of this team again and Moore is the best skating player available this year. The range of outcomes for him runs the gamut of Dylan Larkin to Andrew Cogliano, but Moore should play and would fit in well with this roster, perhaps better than some of the power wingers slated to go here. Nate Danielson could be an option here too, especially given Washington’s Western bias.

9 - Detroit Red Wings - Dalibor Dvorsky (AIK, Allsvenskan)

I think one thing Detroit proved at last year’s draft was that they wanted to focus on getting back to being difficult to play against in the future. There is a desire for the full rebuild to be over and it’s now time to focus on getting players who can be strong playoff performers. Dvorsky is raw, but as we have seen internationally, he is a big game player who can potentially grow into an all-situations type.

10 - St. Louis Blues - Axel Sandin Pellikka (Skelleftea, SWEJ20)

One of the top offensive defenders available this year, Sandin Pellikka proved at this year’s U18’s that he can defend too. The progression in his game over the course of the year should have teams lining up to select him given the weakness of the defense crop. St. Louis needs to inject new life into their blueline, specifically in the puck moving department.

11 - Vancouver Canucks - Nate Danielson (Brandon, WHL)

Lots to like here for the Canucks. Danielson is a strong candidate to be an all situations top six center for them in the future. And let’s face it, the center depth in the organization isn’t amazing right now. There is a need for a player like Danielson. He’s really the last player in this grouping of ranked players who is likely to stick down the center, so I’d expect all these guys to go high.

12 - Arizona Coyotes (via Ottawa) - Matthew Wood (UConn, NCAA)

Skating concerns be darned, someone is going to bite on Matthew Wood early in the first round. He’s just been too good the last few years. As we’ve seen with Jason Robertson, skating development can occur as conditioning improves. Wood has so many other good qualities and he would be the perfect complementary player for them in the future.

13 - Buffalo Sabres - Dmitri Simashev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)

Our top ranked defender, can you imagine a future where the Sabres have both Owen Power and Dmitri Simashev? The massive defender skates well and should at least develop into a high end stay at home type. The Sabres haven’t been scared off by taking Russian players too. This seems like a great fit.

14 - Pittsburgh Penguins - Daniil But (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)

One of the things Pittsburgh needs to do at the draft this year is focus on selecting players with upside. For far too long, the focus was on safer prospects and the combination of that, plus a lack of first round selections, has left the system in disarray. Insert Daniil But, a big winger who could end up being an Evgeni Malkin kind of player thanks to his combination of power and skill. The Penguins have had some success drafting out of Russia, so I don’t see it scaring them off.

15 - Nashville Predators - Tom Willander (Rögle, SWE J20)

One of the draft's biggest risers, Willander was so good in the second half, and it has caused many (including us) to shift their opinion of his potential. He now looks like a lock to be a top four, right shot defender. I see Nashville looking at adding a potential defender at this spot and perhaps they go more offensively oriented with Gulyayev or Dragicevic, but the well-rounded profile seems to fit them more.

16 - Calgary Flames - Zach Benson (Winnipeg, WHL)

The fall for Benson ends here with Calgary selecting him. We love Benson, but there’s definitely some concern that NHL scouts are concerned with the fact that he’s undersized and not a dynamic athlete. However, his playmaking ability would really help the Flames moving forward and I think they need to gamble on his upside. I could also see Calgary opting for an offensively oriented defender here too.

17 - Detroit Red Wings (via New York Islanders) - Mikhail Gulyayev (Avangard Omsk, KHL)

One of the top skating defenders available this year, Gulyayev would be a great fit in the Detroit system. The Red Wings have a lot of solid young defenders in their system, but none have the skating ability, shot, and powerplay quarterbacking potential that Gulyayev possesses. Getting him and Ryan Leonard in the first round would be terrific for an organization trying to take that next step and sustain it.

18 - Winnipeg Jets - Colby Barlow (Owen Sound, OHL)

Obviously, there are a lot of different routes that the Jets could take here, but Barlow makes a lot of sense. The high-end goal scorer is also very versatile and plays a powerful North/South game. Maybe there are some similarities between him and Rutger McGroarty, but this Jets team wants to have multiple players of that ilk on their roster.

19 - Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay) - Gabe Perreault (USNTDP)

Where Perreault goes on draft day will be really interesting. His athletic tools aren’t terrific, but you can’t argue with the success he had this year. He’s just such an intelligent and creative player. With your new team identity forming around Connor Bedard, Perreault seems like an amazing fit to play with him in the future. Plus, Perreault is a bit of a local kid, having grown up as part of the Chicago Mission program.

20 - Seattle Kraken - Samuel Honzek (Vancouver, WHL)

The Kraken wouldn’t have had to travel far to get a good look at Honzek this year. After using their top picks on centers in their first two drafts, they opt for a big, skilled winger to play with them in 2023. Honzek’s upside is excellent, and he is actually someone who could go much higher than this.

21 - Minnesota Wild - David Edstrom (Frölunda, SWE J20)

Doesn’t this just scream a Minnesota Wild selection. Edstrom was a late season riser thanks to the progression he showed over the year from an offensive perspective. He has both a solid floor and a high ceiling and given the draft’s lack of true centers, I expect him to go pretty high on draft day.

22 - Philadelphia (via Columbus, via Los Angeles) - Eduard Sale (HC Kometa Brno, Czechia)

Philly is up for the second pick of the first round, acquired in the Provorov trade. After adding a defenseman to replace him with the seventh pick, they opt for the best forward available on the board. That is a quality playmaking winger with size in Eduard Sale, currently ranked #17 by McKeen's. Sale could definitely go higher than this too, so the value is terrific.

23 - New York Rangers - Cal Ritchie (Oshawa, OHL)

Cal Ritchie grew up playing for the Oakville Rangers, so this just seems like a great story. Tons of pictures of him wearing Rangers gear at a young age! But this would be a great pick for New York for a lot of reasons. Ritchie is one of the most intelligent forwards available this year and while his OHL season wasn’t outstanding, his international performances were.

24 - Nashville Predators (via Edmonton) - Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Maybe Yager goes higher than this. We’re certainly lower on him than the consensus in the scouting community. However, he seems like the kind of player that Nashville would love to add into their system; the kind of player they’ve been drafting for the last decade or so, helping them to remain consistently strong.

25 - St. Louis Blues (via Toronto) - Quentin Musty (Sudbury, OHL)

We’ve got Musty outside of the first round because of concerns over his feet and wavering compete levels, but given his size and skill package, it seems unlikely that he falls out of the first. St. Louis would be a good place for Quentin, and I could see them being quite interested in him. There’s a need to inject new skill and life into the wing group in St. Louis and Musty has one of the higher offensive ceilings in the draft.

26 - San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey) - Bradly Nadeau (Penticton, BCHL)

The Sharks have focused on drafting some pretty good playmakers in recent years and they took Will Smith fourth overall earlier in this mock. So why not take a chance on a high-end finisher like Brad Nadeau. Nadeau also brings a strong compete level and is someone with a good upside, so long as you believe that the BCHL competition was good enough to truly challenge him this year.

27 - Colorado Avalanche - Ethan Gauthier (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)

A solid complementary goal scorer, Gauthier has a good motor too. There is a need for him to get quicker and consistency was an issue at times this year. However, the Avs are going to want a player who can jump into their lineup in a few years and help them win and Gauthier has a lot of strong pro level attributes already. He scores from between the dots and Colorado missed that a bit this year with so many injuries to those types of players.

28 - Toronto Maple Leafs (via Boston) - Gavin Brindley (Michigan, NCAA)

Kyle Dubas is no longer at the helm, but for now it looks like the scouting staff will remain the same under Brad Treliving. Brindley is the type of player that the Leafs organization has been targeting lately at the draft. His compete level and skating are at the top of this draft class and his offensive upside might be a tad underrated. This is someone who is going to play through the middle six for years to come.

29 - St. Louis Blues (via Dallas) - Oliver Bonk (London, OHL)

The Blues have the luxury of three first round picks this year and that gives them a ton of flexibility. So far in our mock they’ve taken Sandin Pellikka and Musty, so grabbing a safer defender like Bonk could make a lot of sense. A highly intelligent two-way player, Bonk has the bloodlines and the work ethic to help him improve.

30 - Carolina Hurricanes - Anton Wahlberg (Malmö, SHL)

The Hurricanes always seem to align their draft ideals with the amateur scouting community, often selecting independent scout darlings in recent years. Insert Anton Wahlberg. Much like Swedish teammate David Edstrom, he improved massively over the course of the year, learning to use his size and quickness to be a very effective player inside the offensive zone. The athletic tools are going to be very intriguing to Carolina.

31 - Montreal Canadiens (via Florida) - Riley Heidt (Prince George, WHL)

Coming into the year, this pick would have been seen as a steal, but this is sort of where Heidt is projected to go now. I could see Montreal being very interested in Heidt as he possesses similar qualities to other forwards they have drafted recently. How his game ultimately comes together at the pro level remains a mystery, but he has a lot of interesting tools.

32 - Vegas Golden Knights - Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon, WHL)

Molendyk is not only one of the smarter defenders available this year, but he’s also one of the better skaters. That combination will be very intriguing to a team like Vegas. He’s way more athletic than the defenders they have been selecting the last five or so years and would give the organization a bit of a different look on the back end.

Second Round

33 - Anaheim Ducks - Michael Hrabal (Omaha, USHL)

If we don’t have a goalie taken in the first round, I would suspect that we see a huge run on them early in the second. The Ducks haven’t drafted a goalie since Lukas Dostal. He’s turned into a great prospect, but there’s a need to look further down the road. Hrabal is raw, but he might have the best upside of the goalies available.

34 - Columbus Blue Jackets - Carson Bjarnason (Brandon, WHL)

The goalie run continues with the Jackets taking Carson Bjarnason. He has number one upside as he continues to learn to harness his athleticism and he helps fill an organizational need in the future.

35 - Chicago Blackhawks - Lukas Dragicevic (Tri-City, WHL)

It could be surprising if Dragicevic drops out of the first round considering the talent he brings from the back end, but there are definitely concerns over how good he can become defensively. The Hawks are swinging for true upside here and hope that he can be a strong powerplay quarterback for them in the future.

36 - San Jose Sharks - Carson Rehkopf (Kitchener, OHL)

One thing that the Sharks really seem to be focusing on as a scouting team is drafting athletes. They’re looking for guys who can play fast, who bring size, and who have a large runway to improve. Rehkopf had a very inconsistent year, but the talent is there. With all the graduations in Kitchener this year, it’ll be his team to run moving forward.

37 - Montreal Canadiens - Trey Augustine (USNTDP)

We know how commonly the Canadiens have gone to the U.S. Development program in recent years and Augustine was the rock for that team in net, helping them capture gold at the U18’s. It seems likely that Montreal will look to draft a goalie fairly high this year because Primeau hasn’t really developed according to plan, and they let Dichow’s rights expire.

38 - Arizona Coyotes - Otto Stenberg (Frölunda, SHL)

I really like Stenberg. I think he’s a lot better than he showed in the SHL and when playing outside of international competition. Part of me doesn’t believe that he falls, but players with his profile have fallen outside of the first many times. This would be a great selection for Arizona, adding speed and skill to their forward group in the future.

39 - Buffalo Sabres (via Philadelphia) - Danny Nelson (USNTDP)

One of the most improved players in this draft class from start to finish this year, Nelson is an intriguing athlete. There’s a chance that he might not be more than an Adam Lowry type. But it will be interesting to see how his offensive game develops outside of the shadow of Smith and Moore. The Sabres system is stacked, but this type of center is something that they could focus in on.

40 - Washington Capitals - Adam Gajan (Chippewa, NAHL)

I fully expect someone to jump on Gajan pretty early. He was so good at the U20’s this year and he has the athletic tools needed to reach a high ceiling as an NHL starting netminder. The Capitals haven’t focused a ton of attention on goaltenders at the draft in recent years, but there is a need to add one into the system. Additionally, they have been an organization that does not shy away from drafting re-entry players.

41 - Detroit Red Wings - Kasper Halttunen (HIFK, Liiga)

The first of three consecutive selections for the Wings, look for variance in these selections. In Halttunen, the Wings get a high upside goal scoring winger who struggled playing against men this year, but who dominated his own age group. He could easily go higher than this.

42 - Detroit Red Wings - Maxim Strbak (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Strbak would be a great selection for the Wings in this area as a potential top four, defensively oriented defender. He is a fierce competitor, and his offensive skill set might be a tad underrated. If the feet can improve more at Michigan State, he could be quite the player.

43 - Detroit Red Wings - Charlie Stramel (Wisconsin, NCAA)

There is a significant chance that Stramel will go in the first round even after a poor year at Wisconsin. NHL teams love his profile; that big power center with middle six upside. For the Wings, I believe that this would be a no- brainer if he is still available. Stramel is a little more athletic than Rasmussen and has better physical tools than Veleno.

44 - Chicago Blackhawks (via Ottawa) - Nick Lardis (Hamilton, OHL)

One thing that the Hawks really focused on last year at the draft was adding speed and strong skaters to their prospect group. I’m sure that this was extremely intentional and there aren’t many better skaters than Nick Lardis available this year. His second half explosion has vaulted him up into this kind of territory thanks to his combination of speed and goal scoring ability.

45 - Buffalo Sabres - Andrew Cristall (Kelowna, WHL)

Quite the fall for Cristall, but there is real concern inside the NHL scouting community around his size and skating combination. He is so reliant on using his edges and lacks the linear quickness to gain separation against better skating defenders. But the upside is so significant because of his creativity, skill, and IQ. Well worth the risk in this area of the draft, especially for an organization with a deep talent pool.

46 - Nashville Predators (via Pittsburgh) - Nico Myatovic (Seattle, WHL)

This is the kind of player that the Predators have won with previously, that hardnosed, physical, strong two-way forward out of the CHL. Myatovic improved a lot in the second half with the Thunderbirds and he is the type of player that I believe NHL scouts are going to like a lot more than independent, amateur ones.

47 - Nashville Predators - Arttu Karki (Tappara U20, U20 SM-sarja)

After taking Willander in the first, the Predators take Karki, a strong puck moving defender who was excellent in Finland this past season. Lots to like about his skating ability and offensive upside. He’s almost like a more athletic version of Kulonummi, who they took last year.

48 - Calgary Flames - Beau Akey (Barrie, OHL)

After taking Zach Benson in the first round, the Flames opt for an athletic blueliner from the OHL in the second, taking Akey. He is one of the better skating defenders in the draft and is still learning how to use that mobility to his advantage at both ends. Shades of a young TJ Brodie here, waiting to be unlocked and that worked out well for the Flames in 2008.

49 - New York Islanders - Jayden Perron (Chicago, USHL)

This is the fourth straight year that the Islanders don’t have a first-round selection and their talent pool is hurting because of it. So, the focus needs to be on selecting a player with significant upside. The highest upside player remaining is probably Perron, an undersized, but skilled forward with the Chicago Steel. He excels playing with pace and would immediately become one of the better prospects in their system.

50 - Seattle Kraken (via Winnipeg) - Andrew Gibson (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

One of the better defensive defenders available in the draft this year, Gibson would give the Kraken a type of player that they haven’t really drafted yet in their two years of existence; a staunch, physical defender with reach. He had a really good U18’s for Canada and we know how much Seattle loves drafting from the OHL.

51 - Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay) - William Whitelaw (Youngstown, USHL)

This just seems like the type of player that Chicago scouts would really love. Again, we have the speed component. But we also have a competitive player who can score goals. There are concerns over his size and IQ, but he had a great playoff for Youngstown in helping them capture a Clark Cup.

52 - Seattle Kraken - Jacob Fowler (Youngstown, USHL)

Personally, I believe Fowler is the top goaltender in this class. But I think that because his physical/athletic tools aren’t quite as strong as the likes of Hrabal and Bjarnason, he probably ends up more in this range. His performance in the Clark Cup playoffs was a masterpiece. Yes, Seattle did draft Niklas Kokko early last year, but when you’re trying to build out a strong prospect group, you need good goaltending depth.

53 - Minnesota Wild - Coulson Pitre (Flint, OHL)

Pitre is exactly the kind of player that the Wild could use in their system; a competitive power winger who can play in all situations. Pitre is one of the most physical forwards available this year and he is that rare kind of power forward who also has good vision with the puck. He’s the perfect complementary piece.

54 - Los Angeles Kings - Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (HV71, SHL)

The second straight draft that the Kings don’t have a first-round selection and they have to be very happy to see Oscar Fisker Mølgaard still available here. The Kings love players like him. He’s a competitive two-way forward with versatility who can probably move through their system pretty quickly.

55 - Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Rangers) - Tristan Bertucci (Flint, OHL)

At this point, the Blackhawks have about half the picks in the first two rounds it seems like. Here they nab Tristan Bertucci, a player who improved substantially in the second half at both ends. He has intriguing physical and athletic tools and could project as a John Marino kind of player with the right development.

56 - Edmonton Oilers - Koehn Ziemmer (Prince George, WHL)

It seems like Edmonton has been searching for this kind of player at the draft for several seasons now. They took Reid Schaefer last year but then dealt him in the Ekholm deal. Ziemmer is a pure goal scorer, but he also brings a competitive edge. The only thing holding him back is a lack of dynamic skating ability.

57 - Seattle Kraken (via Toronto) - Carey Terrance (Erie, OHL)

Speed is the name of the game for Terrance. But versatile is a word that also fits. He showed at the U18’s with the U.S. team that won gold, that he can play a complementary role different from the play driving role that he fills in Erie. He is already a committed two-way player too. Lots to like here.

58 - New Jersey Devils - Gracyn Sawchyn (Seattle, WHL)

Definitely a bit of a fall for Sawchyn, at least compared to where a lot of independent scouting agencies have him ranked (including us). But there are concerns over his slight frame and lack of dynamic skating. That said, this is a great selection for a New Jersey team that doesn’t have a first this year. Sawchyn has great offensive upside and the Devils haven’t shied away from taking players with skating weaknesses in recent years.

59 - Anaheim Ducks (via Colorado) - Easton Cowan (London, OHL)

Have to think that there were quite a few NHL scouts impressed with Cowan’s playoff performance for London in the OHL playoffs where he transformed into a much more assertive offensive player. He has speed to burn and he’s tenacious to boot. This is a future high character, middle six guy for the Ducks.

60 - Anaheim Ducks (via Boston) - Aram Minnetian (USNTDP)

Pretty rare to see the first U.S. NTDP defender off the draft board this late, but it’s an odd group. Minnetian seems like the most likely to go in the second-round range (or Fortescue). This is a solid upside pick for the Ducks because of how well Minnetian skates. Consistency was an issue for him, especially in the defensive end, but he’ll be given time to grow.

61 - Dallas Stars - Martin Misiak (Youngstown, USHL)

It took some time for Misiak to adjust to the USHL, but as the USHL playoffs rolled around, he was firing on all cylinders along with Will Whitelaw. He was a huge piece of that Phantoms’ Clark Cup winning team. He plays a two-way power game and projects as a solid middle six option for Dallas in the future.

62 - Carolina Hurricanes - Jakub Dvorak (Bili Tygri Liberec, Czechia)

It wasn’t the easiest season for Dvorak, as he battled through injuries. However, he returned in time to play at the U18’s, giving scouts a taste of what he can bring to the table as a future top four, stay at home defender. The Hurricanes love raw, toolsy types like Dvorak and they’ve drafted players out of Czechia the last two drafts.

63 - Florida Panthers - Felix Nilsson (Rögle, SHL)

It was really unfortunate that Nilsson had to miss the U18’s due to a wrist injury. He was shooting up draft lists with his strong second half. Ain intelligent and high energy playmaking center, Nilsson fits the Florida Panthers MO at the draft and would be a great pick for a team without a first-round selection this year.

64 - Minnesota Wild (via Los Angeles) - Drew Fortescue (USNTDP)

No defender on the U.S. U18 team improved as much as Fortescue did this year. His athletic tools are through the roof and at the very least, he looks like he could be a solid #5, safe, stay at home type. But what if his game continues to improve at a rapid rate? The Wild have targeted similar kinds of defenders at the draft in recent years.

Drew Fortescue – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #16 New York Rangers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 16th (Last Year - 17th) GM: Chris Drury Hired: May 2021 COACH: Mike Sullivan Hired: May 2025

Gabe Perreault, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Scott Morrow, D, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

EJ Emery, D, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Dylan Roobroeck, C, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Drew Fortescue, D, Boston College (NCAA)

Malcolm Spence, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Nathan Aspinall, LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Aidan Thompson, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Jacob Battaglia, RW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

Adam Sykora, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Jaroslav Chmelar, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Dylan Garand, G, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

Ty Henricks, LW, Western Michigan University (NCAA)

Carey Terrance, C, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #17

New York Rangers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Scott Morrow

2 - Gabe Perreault

3 - Brennan Othmann

4 - EJ Emery

5 - Dylan Garand

6 - Malcolm Spence

7 - Carey Terrance

8 - Dylan Roobroeck

9 - Drew Fortescue

10 - Sean Barnhill

11 - Adam Sykora

12 - Noah Laba

13 - Jaroslav Chmelar

14 - Nathan Aspinall

15 - Zeb Lindgren

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #19 NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team USA

Key Players

Ryan Leonard, RW

James Hagens, C

Gabe Perreault, LW

Trey Augustine, G

Zeev Buium, D

Cole Eiserman, LW

Trevor Connelly, LW

Drew Fortescue, D

Oliver Moore, C

Cole Hutson, D

Sleeper Player

Teddy Stiga, LW

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW YORK RANGERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #23

New York Rangers Top-15 Prospects

1. Gabe Perreault

2. Brennan Othmann

3. EJ Emery

4. Brett Berard

5. Adam Sykora

6. Dylan Garand

7. Noah Laba

8. Matthew Robertson

9. Drew Fortescue

10. Bryce McConnell-Barker

11. Matthew Rempe

12. Ryder Korczak

13. Dylan Roobroeck

14. Jaroslav Chmelar

15. Raoul Boilard

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #18 New York Rangers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

1. Gabe Perreault, RW, Boston College (NCAA)

2. Brennan Othmann, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

3. Matthew Robertson, D, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

4. Brett Berard, LW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

5. Adam Sykora, RW, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

6. Bryce McConnell-Barker, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

7. Dylan Garand, G, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

8. Drew Fortescue, D, Boston College (NCAA)

9. Noah Laba, C, Colorado College (NCAA)

10. Matthew Rempe, C, Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

MCKEEN’S 2024 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GUIDE – Team USA

10 Players to Watch + Sleeper

Prospect System Ranking – 16th (Last Year - 17th)
GM: Chris Drury Hired: May 2021
COACH: Mike Sullivan Hired: May 2025