New York Rangers Daily: Reason for optimism after NHL Draft; Mitch Marner sign & trade discussed
Let’s be honest. No matter how positive or pessimistic you are in the immediate aftermath of the 2025 NHL Draft, we really won’t be able to properly assess if the New York Rangers did a good job or not with their eight selections until several years down the road.
So, we’re not posting a winners and losers list from the 2025 draft here at Forever Blueshirts any time soon.
But it’s hard not to be excited about the Rangers landing Malcolm Spence with their first pick of the draft, No. 43 overall. The 18-year-old forward is big (6-foot-1, 203 pounds), strong and fast, and scored 32 goals in 65 games with Erie of the OHL last season. He’s also a committed two-way player who plays a 200-foot game and can be trusted defensively.
Toss in his well-earned reputation as a natural leader and high-character person, on and off the ice, and you can see why so many hockey experts labeled Spence as the steal of the draft.
Yes, there are inconsistencies in his game. Yes, he had an infection that caused him to lose a lot of weight last season because he couldn’t eat solid food for an extended stretch. Yes, even Spence admitted Saturday he needs to mature more physically before he’s ready for the NHL.
It’s not all perfect for the University of Michigan commit.
But, for sure, there’s plenty there to feel really good about Malcolm Spence. And the simple fact that the Rangers made eight picks in the draft — after totaling nine the previous two years combined — is reason for some optimism. The odds have to be better that you hit on some of these players the more picks you have, right?
John Lilley, who heads up the Rangers’ draft each year, said they saw something in 6-foot-5 defenseman Sean Barnhill, the No. 70 overall pick, who many experts thought was a reach. Some draft gurus were smitten with Norwegian center Mikkel Eriksen, New York’s fourth-round pick. Others raved about sixth-round pick Evan Passmore, a 6-foot-4 defenseman from Barrie in the OHL.
That’s all well and good. But no rushing to judgement here. Let these boys develop into men as players in the coming years before we decide to grade this draft class.
Next step: Rangers development camp in Westchester next week.
New York Rangers news
Here’s our complete draft tracker for the Rangers, with analysis on each selection this year.
The Rangers are being lauded for making a “great pick” by landing Malcolm Spence in the second round, No. 43 overall.
Spence and Matthew Schaefer were roommates at Erie and now they are on opposite sides of the intense Rangers-Islanders rivalry. Even Spence admitted that it’s a bit “awkward” now.
For his part, Schaefer immediately fueled the rivalry with the Rangers after the Islanders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Speaking of the Rangers and Islanders, Igor Shesterkin was selected as the top Russian goalie in the NHL by none other than his local counteroart — and bestie — Ilya Sorokin in a recent interview.
Looking ahead to NHL free agency, which begins Tuesday, here are the best available players on the open market for the Rangers and other teams to consider.
NHL news and rumors
Sportsnaut: Not all of the top storylines from NHL Draft weekend related directly to the draft.
NHL.com: Here’s a really good breakdown by Mike Morreale of all the top draft-related moments this past weekend.
The Athletic ($$): You already know that we don’t like quick winners/losers takes after the draft. But we do respect Scott Wheeler enough to share his winners and losers list.
TSN: So, the decentralized draft? “Early returns certainly weren’t positive,” Chris Johnston reported on Insider Trading. That might be an understatement.
Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings fortified their goaltending when they acquired John Gibson in a big trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs are desperately trying to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights for UFA forward Mitch Marner.
NYI Hockey Now: After a very busy weekend, the Islanders reportedly are close to signing defenseman Alexander Romanov to a long-term contract extension.
TSN: The Calgary Flames signed pending RFA defenseman Kevin Bahl to a six-year, $32.1 million contract.
Florida Hockey Now: Panthers general manager Bill Zito is still confident he can re-sign pending UFAs Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad before July 1 free agency, but admits he has a “Plan B and Plan C” if he can’t.
Daily Faceoff: The St. Louis Blues quietly took care of an important piece of business Saturday by re-signing backup goalie Joel Hofer to a two-year, $6.8 million contract.
Sportsnet: Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman admitted he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment but did say he plans to work on a contract extension for coach Kris Knoblauch “in time.”
Sportsnet: Right when the Rangers were selecting forward Malcolm Spence in the second round of the NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators were announcing that they acquired defenseman Jordan Spence (no relation) in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings.
Seattle Times: General manager Jason Botterill said the Kraken will not be buying out the remainder of Philipp Grubauer’s contract, despite the goalie’s poor tenure in Seattle to date.
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