New York Rangers top prospect propels himself as the organizations biggest standout candidate
Photo credit: X.com
The New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury may be looking like a genius right now. A former fourth-round pick has found comfort in the NHL level of play after only 11 games played in Hartford last season. Could Noah Laba be poised for a standout season?
The New York Rangers drafted Noah Laba 111th overall in the 4th-round of the 2022 NHL Draft. The center begun his professional career with a bang, as he'd play 11 games with the Hartford Wolfpack at he end of last season, scoring 5 points (3-2).
This season, he's made it into the regular season lineup and scored 2 points (2A) in 6 games as a bottom-six forward with the Blueshirts. His adjustment to the NHL ice from collegiate hockey has happened quickly.
His underlying statistics tell the story that we don't see:
He has also been stellar at the faceoff dot, winning 22 out of 34 draws. His underlying numbers are also strong. Laba has a 58.89 xGF%, a 50.99 CF%, and a 100 GF%, per Evolving-Hockey, all of which put in the top 10 on the team.
Laba has played on the same line as Taylor Raddysh and Juuso Parssinen this season and has shown himself to be a standout forward in 2025-26.
The New York Rangers Bargain Bin Pick: Noah Laba, A Tank
Laba has played himself into a bottom-six spot in the lineup after beating out names like Jonny Brodzinski and Sam Carrick for the 3C position.
He's worked himself onto a special teams spot on the 2nd power-play unit, along with towering forward Matt Rempe, too.
His body of work includes a lot of physicality, which hasn't gone unnoticed, as he's capable of laying the lumber on the opposition:
With the depth forward getting acquainted with NHL ice so soon, it opens up the prospect of the Rangers trading forward Brennan Othmann.
The team hasn't seen Laba tap into his full potential yet, but when he does it should be exciting.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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