Ranking the top New York Rangers prospects for 2023
The New York Rangers prospect pool is not what it was just a few seasons ago. That’s what happens when you move from rebuild to contender thanks to the likes of Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, K’ Andre Miller, and Braden Schneider all becoming important regulars in the lineup.
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.
| Rank | Player | POS | AGE | DRAFT/OVERALL |
| 1 | Brennan Othmann | F | 20 | 2021 1ST RD (16) |
| 2 | Will Cuylle | F | 20 | 2020 2ND RD (60) |
| 3 | Adam Sykora | F | 18 | 2022 2ND RD (63) |
| 4 | Matthew Robertson | D | 21 | 2019 2ND RD (49) |
| 5 | Zac Jones | D | 22 | 2019 3RD RD (68) |
| 6 | Bryce McConnell-Barker | C | 18 | 2022 3RD RD (97) |
| 7 | Dylan Garand | G | 20 | 2020 4TH RD (103) |
| 8 | Jaroslav Chmelar | F | 19 | 2021 5TH RD (144) |
| 9 | Ryder Korczak | C | 20 | 2021 3RD RD (75) |
| 10 | Matt Rempe | F | 20 | 2020 6TH RD (165) |
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.
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