Neither has played in the NHL. The Rangers assigned Edmonds to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.

Edmonds, who turns 24 on Monday, has skated in 26 games for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League this season. He has scored one goal and has four assists. The native of North Bay, Ontario, was selected by Tampa Bay in the third round (No. 86) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He is in his third pro season and had 48 points (25 goals, 23 assists) in 120 AHL games – all with Syracuse, the Lightning’s top affiliate.

#NYR have acquired forward Lucas Edmonds from Tampa Bay in exchange for Ryder Korczak. pic.twitter.com/Ityc8e9DtV

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 25, 2025

His best season was 2022-23, when he had 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 49 games — leading all Crunch rookies in points and tying for fifth on the team in goals.

Related: Rangers have big decisions to make on defensemen before, after NHL trade deadline

Rangers latest acquisition had big season in OHL as overage player

The 5-foot-11, 178-pound forward played in Sweden, including time against grown men, until 2021-22, when he was invited to join the Kingston Frontenacs of Ontario Hockey League as an overage player and had 113 points (34 goals, 79 assists) in 68 games. He finished third in the league in points and first in assists, winning the Jim Mahon Trophy as the OHL’s top scoring right wing.

Korczak played in 35 games with Hartford this season, putting up 14 points (three goals, eight assists) with 14 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating. The 5-foot-11, 172-pound forward has skated in 107 AHL games, all with Hartford; he had 12 goals, three on the power play, and 31 points with 42 penalty minutes. He made his Calder Cup Playoffs debut last season with the Wolf Pack, finishing with one goal and one assist in 10 postseason games.

The native of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, was selected by the Rangers in the third round (No. 75) of the 2021 draft.

The Othmann move could mean that the Rangers are confident Artemi Panarin will play in the regular-season opener Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Othmann skated in Panarin’s place on left wing on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere in a 5-2 loss to the Islanders on Friday because Panarin is dealing with a lower-body injury.

Panarin was hurt in the first period of a 5-4 preseason win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The star forward, who had an NHL career-high 120 points last season, did skate Friday. The Rangers did not practice Saturday.

Othmann got a long look in training camp, playing all six preseason games. He tied for the team lead with three assists and was tied for fourth in points with four.

However, this move makes sense. New York’s lineup was mostly set before camp began, and the Rangers know the 21-year-old forward is better off playing top-line minutes in Hartford than he would be in a bottom-six role, or as a healthy scratch, in New York. if Panarin is healthy, it makes sense that Othmann heads to Hartford, where he scored 21 goals last season.

Othmann did get two significant opportunities to play with top-level NHL talent during the preseason. In the Rangers’ first game against the Islanders, he played on a line with Panarin and Filip Chytil. In their second meeting, he played with Trocheck and Lafreniere. He failed to record a point in either of those contests.

Of course, there is no need to rush Othmann into a full-time NHL role. He was second on Hartford in scoring last season with 49 points, and should have another big season in the AHL. Expect him to be one of the first call-ups should the Rangers need to bring a forward up from the minors.

Related: New York Rangers: What to watch for in October

Victor Mancini, Brett Berard remain on Rangers roster for now

Mackey was in a fight with Victor Mancini, Matthew Robertson and Chad Ruhwedel for a spot in the Rangers’ top six on defense and/or as the seventh defenseman. An opening was created after Ryan Lindgren sustained an upper-body injury on Sept. 24; Lindgren is expected to miss a few weeks of action.

The 28-year-old defenseman made a good impression in camp. Mackey had one goal, one assist and two fights in the preseason, but will return to Hartford if he clears waivers. He had two goals and nine assists in 44 games last season with Hartford, and played one game with the Rangers.

Korzcak was a long shot to make New York’s roster and did not play in any preseason games due to an upper-body injury. He will be another key piece to the Wolf Pack’s lineup. The 22-year-old had nine goals and 20 points in 67 games last season with Hartford.

One interesting thing to keep an eye on is that forward Brett Berard remains on the roster. The 2020 fifth-round pick had two assists in the preseason, but he’s outlasted Othmann to this point in camp. Berard drew praise from coach Peter Laviolette earlier this week and has played up and down the lineup in top-six and bottom-six roles.

The 22-year-old led Hartford with 25 goals last season.

The Rangers have 15 forwards on their roster — 14 plus Jimmy Vesey, who is out with a lower-body injury. It is likely that at least one more forward will have to be sent to Hartford. Depending on what Laviolette wants to do with his fourth line, it should come down to Berard, Adam Edstrom, and Jonny Brodzinski for the final roster spot or two.

Mancini has opened eyes in the preseason with two goals and an assist, and solid overall play. The 22-year-old is a right-shot defenseman, but there are several ways he could be in the opening-night roster. He could play on the left side, something Mancini said he’s comfortable with, or stay on the right with Braden Schneider switching to the left, which he did for a bit against the Islanders on Friday.

The prospect pool behind the NHL regulars is thinner at center throughout the Rangers organization, though there are some intriguing young options at the pro, collegiate and junior levels.

Let’s take a look.

Related: New York Rangers prospect rankings: Defensemen

Ranking New York Rangers center prospects

1. Bryce McConnel-Barker

A 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of London, Ontario, Bryce McConnell-Barker was drafted by the Rangers in the third round (No. 97 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Over the course of his 188-game OHL career, he scored 75 goals and added 102 assists for 177 points. Though an injury kept him on the sidelines for 14 games last season, McConnell-Barker had another impressive campaign with the Soo Greyhounds while serving as captain in 2023-24, finishing with 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points in 52 regular-season games. He finished third on the club in points, tied for third in goals, and fifth in assists. McConnell-Barker added another five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 11 OHL playoff games, making him the second-highest scorer on the Greyhounds during their postseason run.

#NYR prospect Bryce McConnell-Barker with some slick moves for his 10th of the season on Saturday 🎥@OHLHoundPower | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/n1NJMsMd5N

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 3, 2023

His biggest asset is his supporting game, as he understands the shutdown role with the necessity to balance pressure with sound positioning to remove his opponent’s options while limiting time spent in his own defensive zone.

McConnell-Barker dipped his toes into the pro game, playing four games in the Calder Cup Playoffs with the Hartford Wolf Pack this past spring and is expected to play his first full American Hockey League season there in 2024-25.

2. Noah Laba

An argument can be made for Noah Laba to be ranked as the top center prospect in the Rangers organization following a breakout sophomore season with Colorado College, where he scored 20 goals and added 17 assists for 37 points in 36 games. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound center was regularly featured on the top line for the Tigers, and had 362 face-off wins in 634 draws taken for a terrific 57 percent winning percentage.

This #NCHCTopPlay shorty from @NoahLaba is too pretty not to show! 🤌😤#NCHChockey // @CCTigerHKY pic.twitter.com/yrMtoEx4bU

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 9, 2024

A 2022 fourth-round selection, Laba earned 2024 Second-Team All-American honors and was also named the NCHC Defensive Player of the Year and winner of Three Stars Award. Despite a strong push by the Rangers to sign Laba to an entry-level contract in the spring, the 20-year-old elected to return to Colorado College for his junior season.

“They wanted me there and in a way, obviously I want to move on and be there too but I just felt like my time here at CC wasn’t done, there’s more for me to do, more for me and the team to accomplish,” Laba said. “That went into the decision and I’m really happy with it and they (the Rangers) obviously fully supported my decision.”

Expectations will be high for the Tigers, who had their best season since 2010-11 with 21 wins, though they fell just short of qualifying for the NCAA tournament. But that isn’t something Laba is worried about.

“I think we gotta look at it as not pressure but an opportunity. We’re not worried about what happened last year or the year before, it’s a whole other team and we’re going to treat it as such and we’re going to prepare for each game like we have the past few years,” Laba explained. “We’re going to work for the result. Obviously, it’s the process that matters so just sticking to that is important.” 

Related: New York Rangers prospect rankings: Goalies

3. Ryder Korczak

Ryder Korczak – credit Hartford Wolf Pack

Appearing in 67 regular-season games with the Wolf Pack last season, 2021 third-rounder Ryder Korczak is poised to increase his offensive production in 2024-25 after scoring nine goals with 11 assists before adding one goal and one assist in 10 AHL playoff games.

GRAB THE PUCK!

Welcome to @TheAHL, Korzy! pic.twitter.com/1YeybSNmuR

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) November 4, 2023

The 5-foot-11, 172 pound right-shot center has one year remaining on his entry-level contract and will need to continue to add strength and hone his game during that period of time. The 21-year-old is a shifty offensive threat with good vision and passing ability, though will want to add a bit more explosiveness to his stride. Korczak could to try to force his name into the mix for a look as a call-up option in New York as early as next season.

4. Dylan Roobroeck

Dylan Roobroeck – credit Hartford Wolf Pack

A sixth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Dylan Roobroeck is a massive 6-foot-7 forward with offensive skill and some grit to his game. He scored 26 goals and had 46 assists for 72 points in 68 regular-season games in 2023-24 for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. He ranked second in points and third in assists on the team and also had 101 penalty minutes and a plus-23 rating. During the OHL playoffs, Roobroeck had a team-high 11 goals, along with 15 assists for 26 points in 21 games.

#NYR agreed to terms with forward Dylan Roobroeck on a three-year, entry-level contract: https://t.co/KZx1HO98wV pic.twitter.com/823CGpKbbK

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 20, 2024

The London, Ontario native has played three seasons in the OHL, split between the Generals and Niagara IceDogs, accumulating 146 points (46 goals, 97 assists) in 200 regular-season games.

Late last season, he signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers and appeared in one Calder Cup Playoff game with Hartford.

Roobroeck is an excellent playmaker and possesses high-end vision. Differentiating him from Matt Rempe, Dylan Roobroeck focuses on the offensive side of his game a lot more than his physical side. Drafted as a center, Roobroeck may be shifted to wing as he adjusts to the professional ranks, and his game should translate seamlessly at the AHL level, especially if he starts in the bottom-six. There will be some more adapting for pace of the game, but his playmaking vision, smarts, and physical strength should be projectable assets at the next level.

5. Zakary Karpa

The Rangers hold the signing rights of their 2022 sixth-round pick Zakary Karpa until August 15, 2025. Karpa served as captain at Harvard University during his junior year last season, scoring four goals and adding four assists for eight points in 31 games. One of the strengths of his game is at the dots, where Karpa won 299 of 576 face-offs for a 51.9 winning percentage. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-shot center could provide solid depth for Hartford if signed once his collegiate career comes to an end.

6. Raoul Boilard

The Rangers moved up in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, acquiring the No. 119 overall pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for their own fourth rounder (No. 127) and a seventh-round selection in the 2026 draft.

With that pick at No. 119, the Rangers selected Raoul Boilard, a two-way center from the QMJHL. The 18-year-old left shot scored 22 goals and finished with 62 points in 68 games with Baie-Comeau this past season, leading QMJHL rookies in scoring.

The best moment. pic.twitter.com/07wJwZskRg

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 29, 2024

“It means a lot (that the Rangers traded up to make this pick),” Boilard said at the draft. “That means they like me, so that’s good. A good organization that likes me, it’s a good sign.”

New York’s director of player personnel and amateur scouting John Lilley said once the draft was over that there’s good reason why the Rangers moved up to grab Boilard.

“He has skill, had a good season his first year in then Quebec League. Just a smart two-way forward that’s a natural centerman, had a good season, just under a point a game … just someone we really valued,” Lilley explained. “

Boilard will continue to skate with Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the QMJHL for the 2024-25 season. The Rangers hold his NHL signing rights until June 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Wolf Pack look to put together another streak as both their winning and points streaks ended in last week’s action. Hartford’s win streak was snapped against the Cleveland Monsters in overtime on Wednesday (Monsters won 4-3), followed by their point streak ending on Saturday after the Laval Rocket recorded a 5-1 win.

This year, the Pack have responded well to losses, which should be the case again this weekend. Currently, Hartford is 2nd in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference, posting a 15-5-3 record for 33 points. The group is ranked 3rd in the AHL overall.

Related: Will Brennan Othmann get a call up?

Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Ryder Korczak coming on

Ryder Korczak Quietly Having Good Rookie Season

The 21 year-old rookie is playing well in recent weeks with Hartford. Offensively, the rookie is producing upon adjusting to the professional ranks. The forward is heating up as he is shooting the puck more, with 2 games featuring 4+ shots on net within the last 2 weeks of action.

Korczak is beginning to become noticeable with the puck, generating good chances for himself and teammates. As a small forward, the youngster really uses his speed to make things happen. Also important has been his improvements on the defensive side of the game, which is a must if he hopes to play in the NHL. Lately, he’s been in good position in his own zone to help the club transition from defense to offense.

While he is not one of the top Rangers’ prospects, Korczak is another rookie to watch that’s quietly developing well and has good potential.

Third time is the charm for Korzy’s line 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Krfz4AcetA

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 9, 2023

Alex Belzile’s Production Remains Consistent

Despite changes in the forwards group, the 32 year-old veteran continues to produce points for Hartford. Over the weekend, Hartford lost Riley Nash as the Rangers needed another forward due to a Barclay Goodrow injury. With 2 of their top 4 offensive leaders out of the lineup, Belzile continues to help produce offense.

Belzile recorded 1 goal over the weekend plus 1 assist in Wednesday’s game. The veteran has points in the last 9 of 11 games, producing 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points. Belzile is ranked 9th in the AHL for production with 23 points in 23 games.

He’s 3 points away from tying his total production from last season. However, Belzile, similar to Brodzinski’s case, played partially in the AHL as he was up with Montreal for a good chunk of the season. His last full season with the Rocket was in the 2018-19 season, where he produced 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points.

what a sequence 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0Ejj6uknUS

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 9, 2023

One Timers

• Mac Hollowell was held off the scoresheet in Saturday’s game. This was his 2nd game where he was held without a point.
• Nikolas Brouillard has 8 points (8 assists) in the last 6 of 7 games.
• Brennan Othmann’s point streak was snapped at 5 games.
• Blake Hillman has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in the last 4 of 6 games.
• Riley Nash has returned to the Pack after a brief call-up

Injury Updates

A new development last week is on goaltending as prospect Dylan Garand was unable to play in last week’s action. He did not travel with the team to Laval as well. Garand’s last action was against Lehigh Valley on December 2nd. There is no timetable for his return.

As a result, Olof Lindbom was recalled from Cincinnati ECHL. Lindbom appeared in 1 game last week. Lindbom is 0-2 with the Wolf Pack as he faced tough opponents. In his last game against Lavl, Lindbom stopped 24 of 29 shots.

Hartford Wolf Pack Schedule

Hartford will be home in the next 4 of 5 games.

Friday, December 15th vs Rochester Americans (Buffalo) at 7pm, XL Center

• This is the 1st of 2 meetings in the season series. Last season, Hartford split the 2 game season series, 1-1. The Wolf Pack will visit the Americans on March 20th.
• Entering the week, Rochester is 11-7-2 for 24 points. That ranks the group 5th in the North Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Americans are on a 2 game skid and will play Springfield on Wednesday. Rochester is 5-5 in their last 10 outings.
• Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich leads the Americans in points with 19. Through 19 games, Kulich has 13 goals and 6 assists. Experienced forward Mason Jobst is 2nd in points as he produced 13 points in 16 games. Jobst has 7 goals and 6 assists.
• Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.

Sunday, December 17th vs Toronto Marlies (Maple Leafs) at 3pm, XL Center

• This is the 1st of 2 meetings in the season series. Hartford recorded 3 of 4 points against Toronto last season, posting a 1-0-1 record in the season series. Hartford will visit the Marlies on March 23rd.
• Entering the week, Toronto is 10-7-3-1 for 24 points. That ranks the group 3rd in the North Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Marlies won their last 2 games and are 4-4-1-1 in the last 10 games. Toronto will play Providence on Friday prior to Sunday’s outing.
• Alex Steeves leads the Marlies in points with 20. In 16 games, the forward has 11 goals and 9 assists. He is ranked 19th in the AHL for production. Nick Aburzzese is 2nd in points with 16. In 21 games, the forward has 4 goals and 12 assists.
• Listen – Mixlr. Watch – AHLTV.

Igor Shesterkin will be in between the pipes after Jonathan Quick has another rough outing, losing to the Devils 5-2 yesterday.

Head coach Peter Laviolette will address the media at 4:45 p.m. ET with lineup news and likely updates on injured players. Both Filip Chytil and Tyler Pitlick are day-to-day with upper-body injuries.

Here’s today’s latest buzz surrounding the Blueshirts. 

Related: Rangers vs Bruins preview

K’Andre Miller

Despite the Rangers preseason struggles, defenseman K’Andre Miller looks primed and ready to start the regular season on October 12.

Through 3 preseason matches, Miller has registered 1 assist with a +1 rating. The young defender is also playing big minutes averaging 21:24 in preseason action. More importantly, he will have an increased roled for the upcoming season on the second power play unit.

“I know what’s expected (of me),” Miller said at the start of camp. “At the end of the day, everybody wants to be out there to help the team succeed. I’m just trying to push me and my teammates to be better every day.”

Miller, 23, recorded a career-high 43 points (9 goals, 34 assists) in 79 games this past season. It also earned him a new two-year contract worth $3.872M per year in the summer.

The young star will also be at the NHL Shop in Manahattan signing autographs on Saturday.

Hey #NYR fans, the #NHL wanted us to share some exciting news with you! K’Andre Miller will be signing autographs at the NHL Shop(located in One Manhattan West Plaza) on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 4–5:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/LNwHAxCV49

— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) October 5, 2023

Rangers send Dylan Garand back to Wolf Pack

On Thursday, the Rangers sent goalie Dylan Garand back to the Hartford Wolf Pack after he played backup to Jonathan Quick last night in Jersey.

Garand, 21, didn’t play much in the preseason with just two relief appearances. However, when he was in net, the youngster was rock solid, making 18 saves on 19 shots. That was good enough for a .947 save percentage and a 1.28 goals against average.

Garand is expected to compete with veteran Louis Domingue to be the Pack’s number one goalie.

TRANSACTION: Goaltender Dylan Garand has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) October 5, 2023

Wolf Pack win first preseason tilt

The Hartford Wolf Pack played their first preseason contest and posted a W, thanks to Ryder Korczak in the shootout.

On Wednesday, Hartford defeated the Springfield Thunderbirds at the Koeppel Community Sports Center on the campus of Trinity College by a 3-2 score.

Ryan McCleary got the Pack party started with a goal in the third assisted by promising prospect Adam Sykora. That was followed by a goal from defenseman Seth Barton with Brett Berard and Korczak notching helpers.

Hartford is currently facing the Bridgeport Islanders in their second preseason matchup.

Ryder Korczak with the SO winner 🥳 pic.twitter.com/Z19hZn3DX2

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) October 5, 2023

“We’ve had a good two days (of camp) and we started off the right way,” winning goalie Dylan Garand said afterwards. “Just keep going from here and get better every day.”

The Rookie Series will continue today with the final contest of this two-game set in the PPL Center starting at 5:05 PM.

Note: Corrected quote from Matthew Robertson to Dylan Garand.

Related: Three prospects that must step up at camp

New York Rangers 4 vs Philadelphia Flyers 2

In the first period, both teams came to play as they exchanged some chances. However, the highlight of the scoreless stanza came when hulking Rangers’ prospect Matt Rempe (6-8, 240 lbs) dropped Zayde Wisdom with a single punch.

Zayde Wisdom got dropped by Matthew Rempe 😳 @hockeyfights

pic.twitter.com/Yx6tJvJLCt

— Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) September 15, 2023

The Rangers would fortunately enter the second period only down by one due to the goaltending of Dylan Garand, who faced 13 shots but couldn’t stop Matt Brown’s power play goal.

Early in the middle frame, Karl Henriksson evened things up with a matching power play marker of his own. A fortune deflection off a Flyers’ defender eluded goalie Nolan Meier. Highly-touted prospect Brennan Othmann recorded an assist along with Robertson.

“You should have no regrets doing something you could have done,” Henriksson said at the start of camp. “Every time you’re here, you should do everything you can to improve yourself and get to the next level. It’s a long season. If you improve every day, you’re going to have success later in the season.”

That tally was followed by a goal from Dylan Roobroeck off a feed from Rempe. It was an excellent shot for the 6-7′ and 206 lbs center after being taken in the 6th round this past summer by New York. Roobroeck potted 53 points in 68 games with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL last season.

Tied 2-2 headed into the third thanks to this BEAUTY from Roobroeck. 👏 pic.twitter.com/kaDlC59JEq

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 16, 2023

Another late goal by the Flyers, this time from Alex Ciernik squared both sides heading into the final period.

Ryder Korczak netted the game-winning tally converting a beautiful set up by Brett Berard and Adam Sykora. His shot from the slot came at the 9:56 mark of the third.

“I thought all game our line was playing good,” he said. “It was just a matter of time before we got one. [Berard] found me in front of the net there, and I just put it away.”

Ryder Korczak gets the go ahead goal. Nice pass by Brett Berard, #NYR pic.twitter.com/Caip1WmSAp

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) September 16, 2023

Robertson closed out the scoring with a long distance unassisted empty-net goal that went over a jumping Flyers’ glove. Garand finished the night with 32 saves.

Meanwhile, the Pack are adding players to their Calder Cup hopes in Ryder Korczak and Maxim Barbashev.

Rangers Rumors: Lauri Pajuniemi headed to Sweden

Pajuniemi, 23, registered 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 58 regular-season games in Hartford. So far in the playoffs, he’s recorded 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points helping the Pack sweep the Springfield Thunderbirds in round one.

The Finnish native was taken by the Blueshirts in the fifth round of the 2018 Draft and was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. According to Swedish outlet Expressen, Pajuniemi will be suiting up with Malmö Redhawks in the SHL next season.

The recruitment will only be announced when his AHL team Hartford Wolfpack has finished its season. They start the round of 16 against the Providence Bruins in a couple of days. During the match series against Springfield, Hartford advanced and then Pajuniemi accounted for three points in two games.

Expressen

Pack added Korczak and Barbashev

On Thursday, the Hartford Wolf Pack announced the additions of two players.

Maxim Barbashev was signed to an ATO (Amateur Tryout) after registering 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points in 67 games for the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.

The Rangers drafted the 19 year-old forward in the fifth-round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Ryder Korczak, who started the season with the Pack before being reassigned back to the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL has returned.

The 20 year-old center notched 28 goals and 41 assists in 48 games for Moose Jaw this season. Previous to that, he played in 5 games for Hartford registering no points.

Selected in the third-round in 2021, the Rangers are hoping Korczak’s offensive abilities in juniors can translate to the pro level.

That’s not to say the Rangers are void of decent prospects. Let’s take a quick look at the 2023 rankings for the top future Blueshirts.

Top New York Rangers prospects in 2023

Below are my top 10 prospect rankings for the New York Rangers organization.

In order to be considered for this list, the player must be 23 or younger and have played 40 games or less at the NHL level.

Analyzing the New York Rangers top prospects

Brennan Othmann: For the second consecutive year, Othmann tops our list of the Rangers best prospects. He earned the honor last season after compiling 50 goals and 97 points with the Flint Firebirds in 2021-22. The skilled and gritty winger then captured back-to-back WJC Gold Medals for Canada showing an ability to play either a scoring or checking role. This OHL season, Othmann got off to a strong start but cooled off after a trade to the Peterborough Petes. However, he’s finding his scoring touch again with his new team and has 19 points in 18 games. On the season, he’s registered 18 goals, 43 points in 34 matches.

Will Cuylle: After ending his junior career with 80 points in 59 games (2021-22), Cuylle has become an AHL All-Star in his rookie campaign with the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Rangers rewarded him with a two-game stint in January and the big winger didn’t disappoint. Averaging just 6:10 per contest, Cuylle looked strong on the team’s fourth line using his formidable size and speed to his advantage. Although he didn’t register a point, he drew a penalty and won his first fight. The Rangers know what they have in the talented forward and may choose to call him up again. He currently has 20 points in 40 games for the Pack.

Adam Sykora: The Rangers have high-hopes for this feisty winger and his agitating style one day playing for them in the NHL. A fierce competitor with a willingness to go into the corners and in front of the net is exactly what they need. He’s currently playing in Slovakia for HK Nitra and his game is developing nicely. In 27 games this season, he’s registered 16 points. Look for him to make the move to North America in 2023-24.

Matthew Robertson: At 6-4 and 201 lbs, he has the size to play in the league and the Rangers hope Robertson can finally earn a spot on the roster next season. This year, he has 14 points in 39 games with the Pack and is progressing slowly in his development. The Rangers extended Ben Harpur as an insurance policy for the 2023-24 campaign just in case Robertson struggles to adjust to the NHL.

Zac Jones: Although he showed flashes of being an NHL caliber defenseman, Jones could not lock down the left defense job along Braden Schneider. The Rangers opted to send him the Wolf Pack and he promptly became their best blue-liner earning AHL All-Star honors. He currently has 16 points in 24 games with Hartford after notching 2 points in 16 games with the Rangers. Jones will be a pending RFA this summer and is in play at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Bryce McConnell-Barker: He was named the Soo Greyhounds captain to start the season and the big two-way center is delivering. This year, he’s amassed 25 goals and 55 points in 45 games to become the organization’s best prospect down the middle. Unfortunately, just like Othmann, McConnell-Barker won’t be eligible to join the Wolf Pack until he’s 20 due to CHL rules.

Dylan Garand: Although his record is just 7-9-3 on the season with a GAA of 3.30 and an .887 save percentage, Garand has shown flashes of what made him CHL goalie of the year. A lot of his poor stats can be attributed to the Wolf Pack’s struggles as a whole defensively to start the year. That being said, this is the same goalie that went 6-0 to lead Canada to WJC Gold in 2022 posting a 1.98 GAA and .925 save percentage.

Jaroslav Chmelar: This huge winger is starting to open up more eyes with his scoring ability this season in the NCAA. In 23 games for Providence College, he’s amassed 6 goals and 11 points. At 6-4′ and 198 pounds, Chmelar can play it physical but has enough skill to contribute offensively. The Rangers have yet to sign him to an entry-level contract.

Ryder Korczak: He’s an offensive minded player that registered 79 points in 68 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL in 2021-22. The Rangers are thin at center prospects which made his AHL struggles with Pack (5 GP, 0 Pts) all the more disappointing. Korczak was then reassigned back to his WHL team where he got back to producing with 43 points in 29 games.

Matt Rempe: The man is big, and I mean really big. At 6-8′ and 240 pounds he just towers over the competition. This season for the Wolf Pack, he’s garnered 5 goals and 9 points in 36 games. He’s also picked up 69 penalty minutes with 7 fighting majors. Don’t be surprised if Rempe is playing a fourth-line role on the Rangers next season.

Editor’s Note: Updated Rempe’s height and weigh per Rangers website.

NHL News and Rumors

NHL Recaps. All the latest scores here.

NHL Rumors: Sharks, Islanders, Oilers, and Ducks. Read more.

Devils serious players for Timo Meier trade. Read more.

Plus, prospect Ryder Korczak has struggled in the AHL and is going back to his WHL team to get his development on track.

Finally, the dawn of a new era is coming for Rangers broadcasts.

Adam Fox named NHL Star of the Week

Adam Fox was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week ending on Sunday, November 13. Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen and Boston’s Linus Ullmark took first and second star respectively.

“Fox led the NHL with six assists and eight points (2-6—8), and also scored both of New York’s game-winning goals, as the Rangers (8-6-3, 19 points) went 2-2-0 in four contests,” the NHL Press Release read. “The 24-year-old winner of the 2020-21 James Norris Memorial Trophy has skated in 17 total games this season, placing among the top defensemen in assists (t-1st; 14), points (2nd; 19) and goals (3rd; 5).”

Ryder Korczak sent to WHL

The Hartford Wolf Pack announced that center Ryder Korczak will be reassigned to the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors.

The New York Rangers selected Korczak in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Korczak, 20, only suited up for 5 games with the Pack this season and did not register a point on 10 shots. The youngster was struggling to find ice time and will continue his development with the Warriors where he set a career high 25 goals, 54 assists, and 70 points in 68 games last season.

“This is a huge addition to our team,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said. “Adding a top-six forward to your team without any compensation is obviously exciting for the organization. We expect Ryder to come in, be a leader and help us win some more games.”

Discover Moose Jaw

For his WHL career, Ryder has amassed 177 points in 200 games between the Calgary Hitmen and Moose Jaw Warriors.

MSG Networks Plans to launch new service

According to a new report in the NY Post, MSG Networks is going to launch a new service for New York Knicks and New York Rangers fans that do not have a cable subscription.

“We are progressing in the design and development of our direct-to-consumer offering, and remain on track to launch in the second half of the current NBA and NHL seasons,” MSG Network President and CEO Andrea Greenberg told The Post. “So while the media landscape is certainly evolving, we continue to believe in the value of our premium content and our ability to innovate, to drive value for partners, advertisers and viewers alike.”

NY Post

The new service is expected to cost between $20 to $25 and should be out during the second half of this season.

I’ve reached out to MSG Networks for more details and will provide any new info that is passed along.

NHL News and Rumors

NHL Recaps. All the latest scores here.

NHL Rumors: Jonathan Toews trade talk. Read more.

NHL Injury News: Patrik Laine out again as multiple players hurt entering the week. Read more.

NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Top 20 trade candidates. Read more.

The NY Rangers rookie camp begins today at 12:00 PM with practice in preparation for a two-game set versus the Philadelphia Flyers rookies starting Friday.

We all know the big prospect names at camp like 2021 first round pick Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle, Bobby Trivigno, Matthew Robertson, and Zac Jones. Those players are going to get a ton of attention as they have a chance to win jobs this season on the big club.

None of those players are centers.

The Rangers have done an incredible job rebuilding the roster and stockpiling top prospects over the years. However, the winners have all been either wingers, defensemen, or goalies. Matter of fact, Filip Chytil is probably the only notable young center to come up through the system and he was drafted in 2017, the year before the rebuild letter went out.

That’s why at this year’s rookie camp these players must step up and show the organization there’s promise down the middle.

NY Rangers rookie centers

According to the official New York Rangers rookie camp roster, six players are listed as centers.

Here’s how I rank them in the organization pipeline:

Ryder Korczak

Of all the names listed above, Korczak has been a standout and signed his entry-level deal in May of 2022. This past season, he picked up 79 points in 68 games which was good for second on the Moose Jaw Warriors and 18th overall in the WHL. His 54 assists led the team.

While he may be considered small by NHL standards, he’s a solid playmaker that can shoot the puck well. At rookie camp, I would expect him to line up with Brennan Othmann on his wing to show what he can do.

“I try to model my game after Brayden Point, I think I have a lot in common with him stylistically,” Korczak said. “His determination to make it in the NHL is an example to others. I’m not saying I will be as good as him because he is a top-10 player in the league in my opinion, but he’s an example for kids like me.”

Bryce McConnell-Barker

Since the Rangers drafted him this past summer, there’s been some healthy buzz regarding the self-described two-way center. McConnell-Barker comes in with decent size and should fill out over the next year. It would be nice to see him man the second line with a player like Will Cuylle on his flank. This is a real showcase for the kid and the Rangers are hopeful he has a future in New York.

“I’m a two-way centerman and I work really hard all over the ice,” McConnell-Barker said. “I am good defensively but I can produce offensively by putting the puck in the net and making some plays too.”

Karl Henriksson

There was a lot of buzz around Henriksson when he was drafted despite his small size. The pivot from Sweden has been in the SHL going up against grizzly veterans for a few seasons and plays a strong two-way game. Unfortunately, the Rangers drafted him to be a playmaker that could provide offense which hasn’t really come to fruition. At this camp, it’s essential for him to give management a strong showing as at least a potential third liner.

Matt Rempe

A monster of a prospect, who plays it mean and with an edge. Last season, Rempe had a memorable fight against Flyers rookie Wade Allison that had everyone on the ice excited along with management up in the stands. Could he be a sleeper for the fourth line center position this year? Unlikely, but a good performance will have him in consideration in 2023-24.

Patrick Khoderenko and Jayden Grubbe

The last two listed centers, Khoderenko and Grubbe are likely to get some playing time on the wings at rookie camp. Regardless, they need to be considered because they can play the position. The same goes for Adam Edstrom, who the Rangers note as a left wing for camp.

Khoderenko signed as a free agent out of college and played last year for the Wolf Pack. He’s got offensive upside to his game and could really use a good camp as the elder statesman of this group to stay in the mix.

Grubbe actually has a connection with Jimmy Vesey, who will be at regular camp on a PTO. The third-round pick the Rangers acquired from Buffalo for Vesey turned out to be Grubbe. When he was drafted, there was emphasis on his size and character as being hard to play against. He could have a future in the bottom six.

NHL News and Rumors

NHL Rumors: Bo Horvat wants to stay in Vancouver. Read more.

NHL ’94 remains the greatest hockey video game of all time. Read more.

Avalanche sign Evan Rodrigues to one-year deal. Read more.