Rangers Daily: All eyes on Liam Greentree; Red Wings GM blames roster
The Ontario Hockey League conference finals begin Friday, and that means all eyes from a New York Rangers perspective are on top forward prospect Liam Greentree.
The 20-year-old was the centerpiece of the return from the Los Angeles Kings when the Rangers traded Artemi Panarin before the Olympic break. The 2024 first-round pick (No. 26 overall) exploded with 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games with Windsor in the OHL last season, but dipped to 38 goals and 74 points in 52 games this year.
However, there’s a lot to be intrigued with here. Greentree is Windsor’s captain, big (6-foot-2, 207 pounds), skilled, and tough. If that sounds like Brennan Othmann, another first-rounder who tore up the OHL — but didn’t pan out in the pros with the Rangers, well, yes, we understand the comparison.
But let’s give Greentree a fresh look and see if the Rangers have themselves a player, perhaps as soon as next season. He already signed his entry-level contract, and whether it’s with Hartford of the American Hockey League or with the big club on Broadway, we’ll get a better grasp on what Greentree can be moving forward.
For now, there’s seeing how he plays in the biggest games of his final junior season, with Windsor set for a best-of-7 series against Kitchener. Greentree is tied for the postseason scoring lead on Windsor with 10 points (five goals, five assists). Seven of those points came in an opening-round sweep against Guelph, when Greentree recorded three multi-point games (four goals, three assists). He slowed a bit in a second straight sweep over Flint (one goal, two assists, one ill-advised fight), besting fellow Rangers prospects Nathan Aspinall and Jacob Battaglia.
A year ago, he tore it up in the postseason, scoring 14 goals and totaling 24 points in 11 games for Windsor. Part of his success last season was playing on a line with stud Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas, who was just named AHL Rookie of the Year after scoring 29 goals for Hershey this season.
So, you’re saying he can play with top-end talent? Not every player thrives in those situations. Gabe Perreault is one who does. Maybe we’ll find out as early next season if Greentree can thrive in a top-nine opportunity in New York.
Rangers news and analysis
Nathan Aspinall was named a finalist for the Red Tilson Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding OHL player.
John Kreiser breaks down the five most memorable games from the Rangers centennial season, and five you’d rather forget.
Four Rangers rookies sparked the team down the stretch this season, but Jonny Brodzinski has some words of wisdom the kids should heed ahead of next season.
Newsday beat reporter Colin Stephenson shared an dissenting view about the Rangers plan to trade Vincent Trocheck.
NHL news and rumors
Detroit Hockey Now: Steve Yzerman remains in charge of hockey operations with the Red Wings despite another failed run at a playoff berth. He met the media Thursday and stated flatly that the Red Wings “need better players.” That’s … rich. Bob Duff breaks it all down.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Did the Devils speed up their process to hire a new general manager because the Toronto Maple Leafs also pursued Sunny Mehta? James Nichols dives into whether the Devils nearly missed out on their top choice to replace Tom Fitzgerald.
Daily Faceoff: Speaking of Fitzgerald, reportedly he emerged as the frontrunner for the GM vacancy with the Nashville Predators.
Buffalo Hockey Now: Josh Norris is day to day with an undisclosed injury for the Sabres, and missed their rousing 3-1 road win over the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of that best-of-7 first-round playoff series Thursday.
Sportsnet: With Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk playing “average” hockey, the Ottawa Senators are in deep trouble, trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in their best-of-7 first-round playoff series.
Carolina Hockey Now: Senators coach Travis Green remained livid with the controversial blow delivered to the head of defenseman Jake Sanderson by Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall in Game 3 on Thursday. Sanderson left the game not long afterward and didn’t return.
Daily Faceoff: St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou had a minor knee procedure, and expects to be back in time for training camp in September.
Colorado Hockey Now: Aarif Deen breaks down exactly why the Avalanche are one win away from sweeping Artemi Panarin and the Los Angeles Kings out of the playoffs in the first round after their 4-2 win in Game 3.
TSN: Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch isn’t worried about Connor McDavid’s health status moving forward in their playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks.
