
Rangers 2025‑26 Prospect Pyramid: Depth Over Elite…read more…
The Rangers’ 2025–26 Prospect Pyramid, as laid out by The Hockey Writers, includes six tiers, structured to reflect players’ developmental ceiling, floor, and readiness for NHL roles . The tiers are:
1. Tier 1 – Generational Talent
2. Tier 2 – Elite Talent (top-six forwards, top‑pair defensemen, starting goalies)
3. Tier 3 – NHL‑ready Middle-Six / Bottom-Four / Fringe Starter
4. Tier 4 – High Upside / Low Floor or Maxed-Out Projects
5. Tier 5 – Lower Upside and Lower Floors
6. Tier 6 – Everyone Else
Tier 1 – Generational Talent
Zero players. As observed, New York doesn’t currently have a generational-level prospect — a rarity in today’s NHL pipeline .
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Tier 2 – Elite Talent
This is the Rangers’ crown jewel tier, featuring six prospects who project as frontline NHL players:
E.J. Emery (D) – Drafted 30th in 2024 from the USNTDP, he’s now at North Dakota. With physicality and shutdown potential, he’s viewed as a future reliable NHL defender despite modest offensive outputs (1 assist in 31 games) .
Gabriel Perreault (RW) – A 2023 first‑round pick (23rd overall) from Boston College, he flashed his NHL capacity during a five-game cup of coffee, and is expected to see full-time minutes next season — possibly challenging for the Calder Trophy .
Brennan Othmann (LW) – The 16th overall pick in 2021 just topped 22 NHL games. Recognized as a productive agitator, he’s on track for a full-time NHL role next year .
Malcolm Spence (F) – A steal at 43rd overall in 2025, he is a power‑forward in the making from Erie (OHL), heading to Michigan in 2025‑26. His 32‑goal, 73‑point season signals high-end middle‑six upside .
Dylan Roobroeck (F) – A longshot pick (178th in 2023), but impressive: 34 pts in 72 AHL games while standing 6’7″. Could carve out a gritty NHL role soon .
Dylan Garand (G) – Also slotted here by The Hockey Writers, rounding out this top tier with starter-goalie potential .
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Tier 3 – Fringe NHLers / Role Players
While names in this tier weren’t listed explicitly in the pyramid article, it traditionally includes prospects on the brink — players like Scott Morrow and Noah Laba, who recent coverage highlights prominently:
Scott Morrow (D) – Acquired in the K’Andre Miller trade, Morrow is an offensively gifted right-shot blueliner. After 39 points with AHL Chicago and six NHL games, he profiles as a puck-moving third-pair defender .
Noah Laba (C) – Signed in March 2025 after three seasons at Colorado College, Laba is praised for his two-way play and face-off prowess; likely a middle‑six or utility center in pro hockey .
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Tier 4 – High Upside / Low Floor or Near Ceiling
Potentially includes NCAA talents like:
Drew Fortescue (D) – A 2023 third‑rounder, Fortescue played a key shutdown role for U.S. in back‑to‑back WJC gold runs, then at Boston College. He’s near clutter-floor — likely turning pro next year .
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Tier 5 & Tier 6 – Supporting Depth
These tiers host players with lower ceilings or developmental uncertainty: late-round picks, European-born players, NCAA freshmen, etc. Examples might be additional AHL-nosed players and junior league standouts, though they tend to be dynamic and volatile groupings as prospects hit walls.
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🔍 Top-10 Prospect Rankings: Outside Sources
A July 12 update from Forever Blueshirts delivers a post-draft top‑10 Rangers prospects list — complementary to the pyramid:
1. Gabe Perreault (F) – NHL-ready offensive IQ, shuttling between AHL/NHL
2. Scott Morrow (D) – Offensive dynamo with developmental polish
3. Malcolm Spence (F) – High-character scorer with strong OHL results
4. E.J. Emery (D) – Mobile shutdown guy with size and timing skills
5. Drew Fortescue (D) – Strong two-way defender, closing in on pro hockey
6. Dylan Garand (G) – Goaltending depth, rated just behind the top five
7. Noah Laba (C) – Hard-working pivot, NCAA entry-level signee
This confirms the pyramid’s top tiers and highlights consistency across independent evaluations.
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💡 Why This Matters to Rangers Fans
1. No generational talent doesn’t equal weakness — it reflects the luxury of deep, organized depth, especially after the 2023–25 trades remodeling the system.
2. Tier 2 is loaded: expectation is for 4–6 foundational players to play meaningful NHL roles next season.
3. Sustainable pipeline: NCAA, CHL, AHL, NTDP — the Rangers have active representation at every development stage.
4. Speculative bounce: Tier 3–4 players like Fortescue and Laba could breakout, offering surprise value.
5. Goaltending runway: With Garand behind Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, the team builds for future security.
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🔮 Outlook for 2025–26
Perreault, Othmann, and Emery seem NHL-bound — expected to compete for roster spots.
Roobroeck and Spence will likely dominate their respective leagues (AHL and NCAA), with potential mid-year call-ups.
Garand develops behind the bench with Hartford before he’s NHL-ready — long-term plan intact.
Players like Morrow, Laba, and Fortescue are on the cusp; how they adjust to pro pacing will dictate their trajectories.
Keep tabs on undrafted sleepers and late-round draftees — the Rangers have had recent success in finding hidden gems.
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🧩 Summary Table
Tier Players NHL Projection
Tier 1 — None
Tier 2 Perreault, Othmann, Emery, Spence, Roobroeck, Garand Core impact players
Tier 3 (proj.) Morrow, Laba Middle-pair, bottom-six NHLers
Tier 4 Fortescue, etc. High upside, depth potential
Tier 5–6 NCAA juniors, AHL depth, Euro prospects Developmental depth
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✅ Final Assessment
The 2025–26 Prospect Pyramid confirms an organizational pivot toward depth and balance, rather than chasing a single superstar. The Rangers possess multiple NHL-ready talents, a strong mid-tier group poised to ascend, and high-upside bets sprinkled throughout. For a team striving to make another playoff run, this is a promising blend of immediate infusion and future security.
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