The New York Rangers had a disastrous 2024-25 marketing campaign and are specializing in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft earlier than making an attempt to enhance their workforce in free company. Because the draft approaches, there are cut up opinions on the power of the draft class, however there is no such thing as a denying that there might be some hidden stars within the later rounds. With that in thoughts, listed below are three potential targets for the Rangers at forty third general within the upcoming draft.
Jack Ivankovic
The primary goal is goaltender Jack Ivankovic, who could be one of many strongest goalies within the upcoming draft class and will slip into the second spherical. His draft inventory has dropped a bit as he has been overshadowed by the robust efficiency of Joshua Ravensbergen, who has pulled away as the perfect goaltender within the upcoming draft class, however he might nonetheless be a steal for the Rangers if he’s out there to them within the second spherical.
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Ivankovic, who stands 6-feet, 179 kilos, is from Mississauga, Ontario, and performed the 2024-25 marketing campaign with the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 43 video games, he posted a 3.05 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .903 save share (SV%). He additionally performed within the U18 World Championship and appeared within the U20 World Championship representing Canada. He performed six video games on the U18 event, posting a 1.05 GAA and a .961 SV%. In his one look on the U20 event, he stopped 24 of 26 photographs in a loss.
Whereas the Rangers’ goaltending depth is strong, Ivankovic is a strong addition to their prospect pool. By the point Jonathan Fast retires and so they have discovered a brand new backup, Ivankovic can begin to work his manner towards, finally, making an attempt to crack the NHL roster. He’ll profit from going again to the OHL and fine-tuning elements of his recreation that want fixing, however he already has the inspiration and potential to grow to be a strong skilled goaltender.
Peyton Kettles
The second goal is towering defender Peyton Kettles, who spent this season with the Swift Present Broncos within the Western Hockey League (WHL), the place he scored 5 objectives and added 9 assists for 14 factors via 53 video games. He stands 6-foot-5, 194 kilos, and whereas this could be a little bit of a attain at forty third general, he’s a bodily defensive defender who would supply stability as a bottom-pairing defender inside just a few seasons.
His dimension, mixed with the truth that he’s a right-shot defender, will entice some groups to take an opportunity on him if he’s out there within the second spherical. The Rangers might take an opportunity on him there and switch him right into a mission participant. With some added confidence and a few fine-tuning to his offensive recreation, he might try to crack an NHL roster inside two or three seasons.
Haoxi “Simon” Wang
Haoxi “Simon” Wang, is a left-shot defender from Beijing, China. He stands 6-foot-6, 212 kilos, and is one other towering defender that the Rangers might take an opportunity on if he falls to them at forty third general. He’s dedicated to Boston College within the NCAA for the 2025-26 season, and performed the 2024-25 marketing campaign cut up between the King Rebel of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.
With the Rebel, he scored 4 objectives and added 18 assists for 22 factors via 38 video games. With the Generals, he had two assists via 32 video games. He’s a strong defensive-minded participant who might be an attractive choice for any workforce seeking to bolster their prospect pool with a possible future bottom-pairing defender.
Any of those gamers could possibly be strong picks at forty third general for the Rangers, however there are many choices for them. Time will inform what route they resolve to go, however these three gamers ought to a minimum of be on their radar.
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