15-02-2025
Checking Out Some Prospects As Future Rangers
There'll be some changes made; you can bet on that. Whether the beloved Blueshirts make the playoffs or not, the MSG high command cannot – and will not – accept the status quo.
With that in mind, The Maven has huddled with Superscout Jess Rubenstein to analyze seven prospects; five of which were listed in The Hockey News Yearbook.
Gabe Perreault, a right wing, left wings Adam Sykora and Brett Berard as well as center Noah Laba made it to THN's "Future Watch List."
Center Dylan Roobroeck and right wing Jaroslav Chmelar were the others worth considering. The following are scout Rubenstein's thumbnail appraisal of the sextet.
ADAM SYKORA: "I expected that he was going to get the call up when Adam Edström went down. Sykora is the perfect guy for third or fourth line work. He's good forechecker who chips in some offense. The Hockey News adds: He never quits on plays. Drives hard to net Hounds defenders. Makes interceptions to generate chances. Expected NHL Arrival 2026-27.
BRETT BERARD: "He should still be a Ranger just for his playmaking skills." The Hockey News adds: Don't let 5-foot-9 frame fool you; he's a wrecking ball. Fights his way to high danger areas.
BRENNAN OTHMANN: "I can't help but thinking that he's expecting to be traded as outside of a four-game goal streak, his offense has disappeared. Just one assist in the last 14 games is unacceptable." The Hockey News adds: A sharpshooting winger and solid forechecker.
JAROSLAV CHMELAR: "I call him 'The Victor Mancini Of the Forwards'. He has great size (6-5, 220) but has struggled on defense; otherwise he'd already be a Ranger No Hockey News comment.
DYLAN ROOBROECK: "Here's a 6-7 monster of a prospect. When regarding Dylan, think of a much more skilled Matt Rempe but he's a year away." No Hockey News comment.
GABE PERREAULT: "As soon as Boston College finishes its season, Chris Drury will sign this right wing as he's the current number one prospect. Think Martin St. Louis if he had a clone, it would be Perreault who can do everything better than most. The Hockey News adds: "Oodles of hockey sense and a knack for getting pucks to sticks. He's a brilliant playmaker.
NOAH LABA: "Injury has slowed him down this year but this center won't say no to Drury this time. He'll need a half-year at Hartford before joining the Rangers."
The Hockey News adds: Nearly doubled freshman output as sophomore. That's a trajectory Rangers want to see continue.
