Rangers’ Top 15 Prospects- 2026-27 Preseason Edition – The Hockey Writers –

While the New York Rangers have not had one of the NHL’s top pipelines in quite a while, general manager (GM) Chris Drury and his staff have done a solid job over the last couple of seasons to rebuild it and have put together a solid group of prospects for Rangers fans to keep an eye on as the future continues to grow near.

When looking at players and considering them a “prospect”, if a player has played over 25 games in the NHL or is over the age of 24, they are not considered to be one. So the likes of Gabe Perreault and Scott Morrow will not be included in these rankings. On the flip side, while being 24 years old, goaltender Dylan Garand will still be considered a prospect due to not playing 25 or more games with the Rangers.

15. Jacob Battaglia

The Rangers acquired Jacob Battaglia via trade from the Calgary Flames in March for Brennan Othmann, and are hoping that Battaglia can carry what he has done in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to the next level. He has reached the 40-goal mark at the junior level and has shown that he has a high-end shot in his arsenal. After a mid-season trade from the Kingston Frontenacs to the Flint Firebirds, Battaglia’s all-around offensive game stood out with the Firebirds. He put up 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in the 27 regular-season games before putting up 18 points in just eight playoff games as well.

The mix of playmaking and goal-scoring abilities that Battaglia has shown at the OHL level gives hope that he can turn into possibly a middle-six player at the next level. He will make the jump to the professional level this season, slated to suit up with the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

14. Brody Lamb

Drafted out of high school in the 2021 Draft (fourth round), Brody Lamb has continued to develop his game and take the next strides at each level he has played. He played four seasons at the University of Minnesota and became one of their most productive players throughout those four seasons before finally making his professional debut at the end of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack after signing his entry-level contract (ELC), and he looked solid in the first 15 games, putting up nine points.

What stands out the most in Lamb’s game is his shot; whether it is the release or the accuracy, he is a threat to shoot the puck and light the lamp whenever he gets the chance. He has the potential to become a player who can be a power-play threat, while also having the skills to throw some playmaking into the equation. He still has a ways to go before he is a full-fledged top-tier prospect, but the tools are there for him to develop even more and become a difference-maker in the Wolf Pack’s lineup this season.

13. RHD Sean Barnhill

More of a defensive defenseman, Sean Barnhill has the potential with his defensive game to become a top-four shutdown player at the NHL level. He has the size teams love on the back end of the ice, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 215 pounds, and he uses it well. He uses it physically, but he also has the smarts and awareness to know when to use his length to keep opponents at bay. His skating ability is high-level for his size. In his freshman season at Michigan State University, he played solid minutes and produced four points (all assists).

If he can take the next step in his offensive game, he could end up becoming one of the Rangers’ top-10 prospects with plenty of upside in his game. At this point in his development, though, his puck game and offensive game are still a work in progress.

12. W Nathan Aspinall

A player who has gotten a lot of attention over the past year is hard to miss on the ice, both because of his play and his size. Nathan Aspinall took his game to another level with the Flint Firebirds, putting up the second-most points in the OHL with 94 after putting up only 47 in the 2024-25 season. Standing at 6-foot-7, Aspinall uses his size any chance he can. Offensively, he uses his reach to shield the puck away from opponents and has a great release on his shot, while also being a constant force at the front of the net.

Defensively, he has no problem throwing his weight around and being hard to play against. He can play in any and all situations, but as expected, given his size, his skating needs some refining and development. The 2024 fifth-round pick is expected to make his way to Hartford to start his professional career, and if he can build off his breakout 2025-26 OHL campaign, Aspinall could very easily become a fan favorite amongst Wolf Pack fans and could climb up the organization’s prospect rankings as the 2026-27 season progresses.

11. LHD Ben MacBeath

A really strong second half of his 2025-26 season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) helped put Ben MacBeath on the radar for many people heading into the 2026 Draft. The Rangers snagged the young defenseman in the second round, and it could end up being one of the better picks of the draft if MacBeath can continue on the trajectory he is on.

MacBeath plays a strong two-way game, with his offensive game being a bit more developed and prevalent than his defensive game. He loves jumping into the play offensively and can lead the play with the puck on his stick. His high-end skating abilities stand out at both ends of the ice, and as much as he loves to get involved offensively, he has the mindset of being a responsible defensive player as well. He is set to play college hockey at the University of Denver this season and should have plenty of opportunity to develop his game and mature even further.

10. C Tomas Chrenko

After having a standout showing at the Under-20 World Junior Championship (WJC) for Slovakia, Tomas Chrenko rode that momentum through the rest of his draft-year season and found himself taken by the Rangers in the third round of this year’s draft. While he may not be the biggest player size-wise, Chrenko has the skill to be a difference-maker thanks to his IQ, vision, and speed. He is set to make his way to the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Muskegon Lumberjacks this season, so seeing how he adapts to the North American game will set the tone for his potential down the line with the Rangers organization.

9. G Dylan Garand

The Rangers’ top goaltending prospect, Dylan Garand, does not have a whole lot left to prove at the AHL level. After being selected in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft, Garand has played four seasons for the Hartford Wolf Pack and has been strong in each of those seasons in the crease. While his numbers were not the greatest this past season (16-15-2), he earned a late-season call-up to the NHL and looked rock solid in the three games he was in a Rangers uniform, putting up a 2-0-1 record, with a 1.62 goals-against average (GAA) and a .948 save percentage (SV%).

What stands out with Garand’s play in the crease is his mobility and calmness. He moves around the net well, and positions himself to take away angles and space for shooters. He does not let himself get overwhelmed when a play is out in front of him and is consistently steady. With Jonathan Quick retiring, Garand was expected to get a shot as Igor Shesterkin‘s backup this season, but the organization added Joonas Korpisalo in a trade with the Boston Bruins. The addition of Korpisalo blocks Garand from potentially making the full-time jump to the NHL, but with another solid season in the AHL and a step in the right direction with his development, he should be suiting up for the Rangers full-time sooner rather than later.

8. RHD EJ Emery

After being drafted at the tail end of the 2024 Draft, eyes have been on EJ Emery to see if he can become the defenseman that the Rangers’ organization envisioned him to become. So far, he has proven that his defensive game is his calling card, showing his athleticism and all-around game in his zone. Playing at the University of North Dakota for the past two seasons, Emery has seen plenty of ice time and has been a solid defensive defenseman, while also being a part of this 2026 United States Under-20 World Junior Championship (U20 WJC) team.

His game still needs further offensive development. While his numbers jumped this past season (13 points compared to one in his freshman season), seeing another overall jump in development would go a long way for the young defenseman. With a deep defensive group this upcoming season at North Dakota, including the additions of Keaton Verhoeff, Ethan MacKenzie, and Carson Carels, Emery could see his ice time change a bit, but it could also help him focus on the areas of development.

7. C Mikkel Eriksen

With an all-around strong two-way game, Mikkel Eriksen has the tools to be a two-way center at the NHL level. After being drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2025 Draft, Eriksen built off a strong 2024-25 season with Färjestad BK’s Under-20 program (43 points in 40 games) and put up 44 points this last season in just 25 games. He also got his first taste of professional hockey in the SHL, playing in 15 games. While he did not record a point, he did not look out of place.

On the offensive side of the ice, Eriksen plays strong with and without the puck, and has a solid mix of playmaking and goal-scoring abilities. He is smart with the puck on his stick, either finding a teammate or taking a shooting lane and exploiting it. Defensively, he makes his opponents’ lives hard, staying relentless on the puck and putting himself in good spots to create turnovers or shut down open ice.

If he can take the next step in his development in what should be a full season at the SHL level this upcoming season, he has the potential to turn into a prospect who can be a middle-six player at the NHL level down the line.

6. LW Adam Sýkora

After making his NHL debut last season, Adam Sýkora showed why he was a second-round pick in the 2022 Draft. The young winger plays with a ton of energy at both ends of the ice and certainly does not shy away from the physical aspect of the game. He can do it defensively or with the puck on his stick, welcoming contact and fighting through it as he tries to make a play. His offensive game complements his defensive one, making him a strong two-way player.

In 11 games last season with the Rangers, Sýkora put up four points (three goals and one assist) and could end up pushing for an opening-night roster spot if he has a strong training camp and preseason. He may not end up as a top-line winger at the NHL level, but a young, big-bodied player who is responsible on both ends and can be a penalty-killer would greatly benefit the organization and its future.

5. LHD Drew Fortescue

After signing his entry-level contract (ELC) at the conclusion of his 2025-26 NCAA season with Boston College, Drew Fortescue made his NHL debut toward the end of last season and made a strong impression. In the nine games he played in, he played just shy of 15 minutes of ice time (14:51) and tallied two assists while also being plus-four in the plus/minus department.

Watching Fortescue play, there isn’t much flash to his game, but he plays a simple, efficient game that will make him a strong partner for a more offensive-minded defenseman. He will likely start the season with the Wolf Pack, and if he can continue to hone and develop his all-around game, the 2023 third-round pick could end up making his way back to the NHL before the end of the 2026-27 season.

4. LW Malcolm Spence

The Rangers’ second-round pick in the 2025 Draft, Malcolm Spence, proved that he has the motivation and determination to be anything that is asked of him this last season at the University of Michigan. On a loaded Wolverine roster, Spence worked his way from bottom-line minutes to being a top-six player who was relied upon in any and all situations. He has the playing style to be an absolute pest to play against, with zero issue doing the dirty work at either end of the ice, and the offensive game to be an impactful player on the scoresheet.

Heading into his sophomore season at Michigan, Spence should take on a bigger role, even with the Wolverines being yet again a loaded team. Watching him take his game to yet another level as he continues to mature will be worth it. At this point, he projects as a player who can play up or down in an NHL lineup and brings energy.

3. C Cole Beaudoin

When the Vincent Trocheck trade finally took place with the Utah Mammoth, Drury and the Rangers added a prospect who has a very good possibility of becoming a top-to-middle six center in the NHL, Cole Beaudoin. Beaudoin has taken his game to another level over the three seasons he spent in the OHL with the Barrie Colts, culminating in an 88-point regular season and 29 points in the playoffs this past season.

The offensive numbers are great, but it’s the stuff that he does that does not show up on the scoresheet that stands out and makes him a prospect to keep a close eye on as a Rangers fan. He has all the intangibles to be a difference-maker away from the puck and the leadership skills to be a player who could very well end up with a letter on his jersey in the NHL down the line.

2. RW Liam Greentree

The main piece in the trade of Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings back in February, Liam Greentree has all the pieces to become a power-forward type of NHL player. While he doesn’t play overly physical, he has the size to do so (6-foot-3, 216 pounds) and the offensive tools to be a difference-maker. His offensive numbers were down a bit this past season with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, but Greentree has the tools to be either a distributor or a goal-scorer with the puck on his stick.

Greentree might not end up being a top-line winger in the NHL, but if he can make a smooth transition to the professional level with the Wolf Pack for the 2026-27 season, he could end up very easily being a middle-six player who can bring some grit and offense to the lineup.

1. LHD Alberts Šmits

The Rangers’ first-round pick at the 2026 Draft, Alberts Šmits has all of the makings of being a top-pair defenseman in the NHL, and it could end up being sooner rather than later. His offensive numbers may not jump off the page as anything spectacular, but the all-around game he plays is at a high level. He has the defensive mindset to shut down opponents with either his stick work or his physicality. He has the smarts and vision on the ice to be a difference-maker with the puck on his stick, and seeing how he develops the offensive side of his game could be the difference between being a true defensive defenseman and a two-way shutdown one for Šmits.

If he can continue to develop his entire game and skill set, Šmits has the potential to be the future for the Rangers from the backend of the ice. He has already played plenty of professional hockey over the past two seasons in Finland and Germany, and is one of the most NHL-ready prospects from the 2026 class. With that being said, he could make his way to the Rangers lineup in the not-so-distant future and give fans a glimpse into the future.