Exploring Rangers options in late rounds of 2026 NHL Draft
After the New York Rangers make seven selections in the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft, they finish off with four more in rounds 5-7, for a total of 11.
On the first night, Friday, June 26, the Rangers own the No. 5 and 26 overall picks. Then the following day, the Rangers follow up with one second-round selection and four picks in the third round.
After taking a breather in Round 4, the Rangers have their own fifth-round pick, two more in the sixth round (theirs and one from the Chicago Blackhawks), and one in the seventh round from the Vancouver Canucks.
Let’s check out some of the best possible options for the Rangers in Rounds 5-7 of this year’s draft.
Possible fifth round options for Rangers
Maksim Sokolovskii (D, London – OHL): This massive 6-foot-7, 238-pound defenseman is heading to the University of Maine. His skating and agility need a lot of work, but his raw physical power and long reach make him a great late-round developmental project for the blue line.
Brooks Rogowski (C, Oshawa – OHL): The 6-foot-7, 235-pound center is an absolute powerhouse who is committed to Michigan State University. He has an enormous reach, plays a heavy, physical game in front of the net, and is learning how to use his size to protect the puck down low. While his skating mechanics need major adjustments, his big frame makes him a classic late-round project. The 17-year-old had 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 46 games this season.
Liam Lefebvre (C, Chicoutimi – QMJHL): Bound for the University of Vermont, this 6-foot-3, 203-pound center uses his size well to protect the puck below the goal line. He plays a heavy, pro-style game along the boards but needs to improve his quickness and offense. Right now, he projects as a bottom-six NHL center, though did score 32 goals in 59 games this season.
Possible sixth round options for Rangers
Giorgos Pantelas (D, Brandon – WHL): A 6-foot-2, 211-pound defenseman who plays an old-school, highly physical style. He handles body contact well and is great at clearing opponents out from in front of the net, but his passing and footwork still trail his physical traits.
Ryder Cali (C, North Bay – OHL): The 6-foot-2, 219-pound left-handed shot is committed to Harvard University. The 17-year-old fits the mold of a classic major junior power forward, and had 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 47 games. Cali plays with a physical edge, handles heavy traffic well, and has an excellent shot from the circles. His straight-line speed needs work to make it in the pros, and he likely will move to the wing unless his faceoff skills improve.
Victor Plante (LW, USNTDP – USHL): Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 163 pounds, Plante is a smaller, highly intelligent playmaker heading to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He missed some time with injuries this year, but did record 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 20 games, and represents a great late-round gamble on skill. If his physical growth catches up to his high-end vision, he could be a steal.
Tobias Trejbal (G, Youngstown – USHL): The 6-foot-4, 187-pound left-catching goaltender is heading to the University of Massachusetts. In his first North American season, he posted an impressive .922 save percentage in the USHL. He has great size, high-end athleticism, and stays calm under pressure. He is a highly realistic target to grab in the sixth round if earlier goalie options are off the board.
Possible seventh round options for Rangers
Maddox Dagenais (C, Quebec – QMJHL): A 6-foot-4 center with great hockey bloodlines — his father is former NHLer Pierre Dagenais — and a soft touch for a player his size. The 18-year-old had 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) in 62 games this season, but slipped down public draft boards due to inconsistency and overall speed concerns. However, his big frame and natural hockey sense make him worth a seventh-round gamble.
Egor Barabanov (C, Saginaw – OHL): The 6-foot, 177-pound forward is heading to the University of Massachusetts. The Basking Ridge, New Jersey, native shows flashes of high-end offensive skill (91 points; 28 goals, 63 assists) but slipped down draft boards due to inconsistent play and defensive tracking issues. He has excellent hands in tight spaces, making him an intriguing seventh-round pick to see if his away-from-the-puck game can develop over the next few years.
Casey Mutryn (RW, USNTDP – USHL): A big 6-foot-3, 203-pound winger heading to Boston College. He serves as an ideal long-term project who can provide heavy forechecking and physical depth, but he needs to do substantial work on his stride and edge-work.
