The Rangers’ 2025–26 season was disappointing, to say the least. The team finished with a meager 34-39-7 record, which ultimately led to the trade of superstar forward Artemi Panarin to Los Angeles in exchange for promising prospect Liam Greentree.
Prospects will be key if the Rangers want this retool to be a success, and drafting well is one of the most important ways to revamp the roster. Unfortunately, New York has struggled in that department for much of the past decade, selecting a disappointing group of prospects headlined by Vitali Kravtsov and Lias Andersson. While it’s worth mentioning the more complex situations surrounding Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, I don’t believe they belong in the same conversation as that previous group.
The Rangers hold the No. 5 and No. 26 picks in this year’s draft and could go in several different directions with their selections.
Below are the five players I believe would be the best options for the Rangers if given the opportunity.
1. Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)
Ivar Stenberg has the talent to go No. 1 overall in this draft, though it appears the Toronto Maple Leafs have already made up their minds and are likely planning to select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick.
Stenberg is the most complete forward in this draft class, possessing an impressive combination of skill, speed, and a pristine hockey IQ. He is also considered the most NHL ready forward available and has the ability to step directly into the Rangers’ top six if selected.
The only challenge for the Rangers is that selecting Stenberg would likely require trading up from No. 5 to No. 2 with the San Jose Sharks. San Jose has been keeping a close eye on the top defensemen in the class and already possesses a plethora of young forwards led by the phenomenal Macklin Celebrini. That dynamic could create an opportunity for the Rangers to move up and land one of the premier talents in the draft.
NHL player comparison: Lucas Raymond
2. Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Chase Reid has been tagged by most as the best defenseman in this draft, a class that is particularly strong at the position. The American blueliner recorded 48 points in 45 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds this season and is projected to be selected very early in the draft.
Reid is committed to Michigan State and will join the powerhouse program next season, though many expect him to make the jump to the NHL rather quickly. The Rangers have struggled defensively outside of their top pairing of Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, and adding a two-way defenseman like Reid could provide valuable flexibility on both ends of the ice.
NHL player comparison: Zach Werenski
3. Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Caleb Malhotra may be the most intriguing player in this draft class. The son of former NHL player Manny Malhotra, Caleb dominated the OHL, tallying 87 points in 67 regular-season games with the Brantford Bulldogs while adding 26 points in 15 playoff games.
The Rangers desperately need help down the middle, and Malhotra is the top center available on the board. With a trade involving Vincent Trocheck seeming like a strong possibility, the Rangers must continue rebuilding their center depth to stabilize the offense moving forward.
Malhotra is committed to Boston University for next season. The Vancouver Canucks hold the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft and recently hired Manny Malhotra as their head coach. It will be intriguing to see whether Vancouver reunites father and son before the Rangers have a chance to make their selection.
NHL player comparison: Vincent Trocheck
4. Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Carson Carels is the most likely player on this list to be available if the Rangers stay put at No. 5. Carels has frequently been mocked to New York, and this would be an A+ selection if Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Chase Reid, and Caleb Malhotra are all off the board before the Rangers make their pick.
Similar to Reid, Carels would provide much-needed help on the Rangers’ blue line as a two-way defenseman. While Reid may have the higher NHL ceiling, Carels currently brings a more well-rounded game, combining size, speed, and physicality.
Carels could very well be the best defenseman in this draft class and has the potential to develop into a No. 1 defenseman at the NHL level. The Manitoba native recorded 73 points in 58 games with the Prince George Cougars this past season, adding another 10 points in 10 playoff games.
Carels is set to join the University of North Dakota next season, where he will patrol the blue line alongside fellow top prospect Keaton Verhoeff and 2024 Rangers first-round pick E.J. Emery.
NHL player comparison: Charlie McAvoy
5. Viggo Björck, C/RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Viggo Björck could end up being the steal of this draft when all is said and done. The 18-year-old forward spent this past season in the SHL with Djurgårdens IF, recording 15 points in 42 games. While those numbers may not jump off the page, it’s important to remember that he was playing professional hockey against older, more experienced competition as opposed to junior.
Speaking of junior hockey, Björck dominated on Sweden’s gold medal winning team at the World Junior Championship, tallying nine points in seven games. He also represented Sweden at the IIHF World Championship this past spring, recording six points in eight games while competing against NHL talent.
Björck is an offensive menace both with and without the puck on his stick. He may be the most well-rounded forward in this draft class, possessing the hockey sense and skill set necessary to thrive at the NHL level. To maximize his full potential, however, he will likely benefit from playing alongside another highly skilled offensive player.
Björck could slide in the draft, potentially even beyond the Rangers’ first selection, due to his 5-foot-9 frame. However, as we’ve seen from players such as Martin St. Louis, Johnny Gaudreau, and, most recently, Cole Caufield, who scored 51 goals for the Montréal Canadiens this past season, the notion that size alone determines a player’s success may finally be a thing of the past.
NHL player comparison: Brayden Point
