Rangers Land First-Round Talent Malcolm Spence on Day 2 of 2025 NHL Draft: ‘Great Pick’ Stirs Excitement Among Fans and Scouts…read more…
In what many analysts are calling one of the most savvy moves of the 2025 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers selected forward Malcolm Spence on Day 2, landing a player widely projected to go in the first round. The pick, which came early in the second round at No. 39 overall, sent a ripple of surprise and approval through the draft community, with experts labeling it a “great pick” and praising the Rangers’ strategic patience.
Spence, a powerful, two-way winger with elite skating ability, was ranked as a top-20 prospect by many pre-draft scouting services. His fall into the second round puzzled many, but it ultimately turned into a golden opportunity for New York.
A Steal in the Second Round
The Rangers’ front office, led by President and GM Chris Drury, has been working to build a younger, faster team around their existing core. With Spence, they may have found the kind of player who can make a real impact sooner rather than later.
“We were shocked he was still on the board,” Drury said during a post-draft media session in Las Vegas. “Our scouts had him rated very highly. To be able to get someone with Malcolm’s talent and maturity in the second round is a big win for us.”
Spence, who played for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), notched 71 points (28 goals, 43 assists) in 66 games this past season. Beyond the raw stats, it was his leadership, physical maturity, and NHL-caliber skating that impressed scouts.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this,” Spence said after his name was called. “I know people expected me to go in the first round, but that doesn’t matter now. I’m ready to work and show the Rangers they made the right choice.”
Why Spence Fell
So why did a projected first-rounder slide into Day 2? There are a few possible explanations, none of which reflect poorly on Spence’s long-term potential.
Some scouts speculated that teams were prioritizing defensemen in the late first round, causing a small run that pushed forwards like Spence into the early second. Others pointed to a minor mid-season injury and a few inconsistencies in Spence’s defensive play, but none of the concerns were considered serious.
“He’s got all the tools,” said TSN analyst Craig Button. “Some teams may have overthought it. The Rangers got a first-round talent on Day 2. That’s a home run.”
Fit With the Rangers
Spence joins a Rangers prospect pipeline that has steadily improved over the past few seasons. With players like Brennan Othmann, Gabriel Perreault, and Adam Sýkora progressing nicely, the addition of Spence gives the Rangers yet another forward with a high ceiling.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Spence plays with a combination of speed and strength that fits the modern NHL mold. He’s also known for being coachable and well-liked in the locker room—traits that bode well for his development within New York’s system.
“He plays hard, he plays fast, and he wants to win,” said Rangers Director of Player Development Jed Ortmeyer. “That’s the kind of DNA we want in our organization.”
What Comes Next
While Spence is unlikely to make the Rangers’ roster out of training camp, he’s expected to return to Erie for another season in the OHL, where he will likely take on a leadership role. The Rangers’ development staff plans to work closely with him throughout the year, fine-tuning his game and preparing him for the jump to the AHL or NHL in the near future.
“I want to round out my game, especially defensively,” Spence said. “I know that’s what it’ll take to be successful at the next level.”
The Rangers have taken a cautious but effective approach to prospect development in recent years, and Spence figures to benefit from that system. Fans may not see him at Madison Square Garden immediately, but his timeline could be quicker than most Day 2 picks, given his polish and upside.
Reaction From the Hockey World
The selection was widely praised across social media and by NHL insiders.
“Spence is going to make a lot of teams regret passing on him,” wrote Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek on X (formerly Twitter). “New York stole him.”
Rangers fans also celebrated the pick, flooding message boards and comment sections with praise for the front office. Some even compared the steal to previous success stories like Artemi Panarin (undrafted) and Adam Fox (acquired via trade after falling in the draft due to signability issues).
While it’s too early to make bold predictions, the enthusiasm around the pick is hard to ignore.
Building Toward the Future
With this pick, the Rangers continue to walk the line between contending in the present and planning for the future. Spence may not make an immediate impact in the 2025–26 season, but he adds depth and promise to a system that will need fresh legs and scoring as older veterans age out of the lineup.
“We want to be competitive every year, but we also want to build a foundation that lasts,” said Drury. “Malcolm is part of that vision.”
A Draft to Remember?
Day 2 of the NHL Draft is often where general managers earn their reputations. While the spotlight is on the first round, it’s the shrewd selections later on that can define a team’s future. With the pick of Malcolm Spence, the Rangers may have just made one of those defining choices.
As the draft concluded and players began preparing for development camps, Spence was already looking forward.
“I’m excited to get started,” he said. “Wearing that Rangers sweater is going to be special. I won’t take it for granted.”
If Spence lives up to his potential, Rangers fans may one day look back at the 2025 Draft not just as a turning point—but as the day they stole a star.
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