Noah Laba prepared to take next step with Rangers: ‘I feel like I’m ready’
It’s often said that actions speak louder than words. That’s been proven yet again with a lineup decision made by the New York Rangers at this year’s rookie camp.
It’s no coincidence that the Rangers selected Noah Laba to center a line with organization’s two most important forward prospects, Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann. That threesome’s been together since camp started last week and was New York’s top line in a pair of games against Philadelphia Flyers prospects this past weekend.
So, even though Rangers coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t spoken to the media yet — he’ll do so when full training camp begins Wednesday — it’s clear he wants to see how Laba keeps up with the best. And the 22-year-old is fine with that because his sights are set on achieving big things at his first NHL camp.
“Like everybody else, my goal is to make the New York Rangers,” the 2022 fourth-round pick said at the beginning of rookie camp last week. “That’s what I’m trying to do. Trying to compete, showcase my skills, my abilities and where I shine.”
Laba has 11 games of pro experience but could be a sleeper candidate to land a spot on New York’s opening-night roster. After logging big minutes and playing in all situations over three seasons at Colorado College, Laba fit in quickly with Hartford of the American Hockey League last spring. He signed an ATO and recorded five points (three goals, two assists), including a short-handed goal in his pro debut.
Because he plays a smart, two-way game, is good on face-offs, and has excellent size (6-foot-3, 214 pounds), Laba could be a perfect fit centering the Rangers third line. But the Michigan native must first prove that he’s ready for the NHL.
“I feel like I’m ready,” he stated. “Obviously, you’re never ready until it actually comes, there’s always lessons to be learned. But I feel like I’m prepared and super excited to play with any amount of guys.”
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Noah Laba — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
If, as expected, Mika Zibanejad starts the season playing right wing on a line centered by J.T. Miller, the Rangers will have competition for the 3C role. Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski are more familiar options, with a combined 346 games of NHL experience. But Laba can’t be ruled out just yet.
The Michigan native had 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 35 games as a Colorado College freshman in 2022-23. He followed that up by scoring 20 goals and finishing with 37 points as a sophomore. Last season, he was a bit banged up, but still recorded 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 29 games.
And that’s just his offensive production. Laba also was a letter-wearing leader and mature, responsible player defensively in college.
“I think I’m a big, two-way center, 200-foot game,” Laba explained. “I play good defensively and play fast in the neutral zone, as well as help my teammates out in the O-zone, getting them pucks and create time and space.”
He certainly didn’t look out of place playing on a line with Othmann and Perreault, a pair of first-round picks. Laba had a goal and an assist in the two games against the Flyers. He excelled in all areas. But it was his goal Saturday in a 5-2 Rangers win, off a brilliant Othmann feed, that got people talking.
“It’s awesome. Obviously, two unbelievable players, can bounce ideas off them, learn from them and just try to play my hardest, be a good support guy for them,” said Laba, downplaying his role playing with Othmann and Perreault.
Whether it’s Oct. 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night, or somewhere down the line, it’s fairly easy to picture Laba slotting into the bottom six of the Rangers lineup. It feels like he’s not that far away. And he appears to know it.
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