Rangers Have Huge Decision To make With 12th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft
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GM Chris Drury and the New York Rangers now know they'll be selecting at 12th in the 2025 NHL Draft. The team was leapfrogged by their Long Island Rivals, the New York Islanders, who will pick 1st overall in 2025.
It's a big disappointment for Rangers fans this season. They didn't have a shot at the postseason in 2025, and now they'll be able to select in the 1st-round, but later, much later.
At 12th overall, Daily Face Off has given us an idea of who the New York Rangers could select at 12th instead of trading the pick to the Penguins.
12th Overall Choices
One player the Rangers could land is Radim Mrtka, a Seattle Thunderbirds forward in the WHL.
While Mrtka's U-18s were a bit of a mixed bag, it shouldn't hurt him too much on draft day. He's a bit of a rare treat in this draft - he's 6-foot-6, a right-hand shot and quite mobile.
Mrtka scored a total of 35 points (3 goals, 32 assists) in 43 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
In contrast, Tankathon projects the Rangers taking forward Carter Bear of the WHL's Everett Silvertips.
He's received a glowing review from Jason Bukala of Sportsnet:
"Bear is the kind of player who can be relied upon to score timely goals and provide reliable detail, and tenacity, in all three zones. The Silvertips are a team that plays an «in your face» style of hockey and Bear fits the mold."
During the 2024-2025 regular season, Bear scored 82 points (40 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games with the Silvertips.
Aitcheson sounds kind of like a blue liner the Rangers have desperately needed, as their defense lacks players of this caliber, with Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba's trades from the organization.
Aitcheson scored 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) in 64 games with the OHL's Barrie Colts.
The Athletic's Scott Wheeler:
"He's a powerful, bullish defender who is hard to play against, defends firmly and commands his ice. He knows who he is and plays with confidence and aggression, often directing his teammates and always talking (to his teammates and opponents). He's strong on the PK."
If I were GM Chris Drury, it sounds like Carter Bear might be the better option, but either Mrtka or Aitcheson wouldn't be terrible at 12th overall either way.
If none of the above works, he could send the pick to the Penguins and keep their unprotected first-round pick in 2026.
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 1215 ANSWERS Rangers Have Huge Decision To make With 12th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft Who should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers select 12th overall in 2025? | ||
| Carter Bear | 274 | 22.6 % |
| Kashawn Aitcheson | 167 | 13.7 % |
| Radm Mrtka | 174 | 14.3 % |
| Send it to Pittsburgh | 600 | 49.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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