Three Rangers' Prospects Looking To Make Strong Impressions Following Chris Kreider Trade
Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
There are three up-and-coming center prospects in the New York Rangers system who hope to make an impact. It's doubtful that Carey Terrance, Noah Laba, or Dylan Roorbroeck will make the NHL squad given how deep the center position is now, but the team will be watching as all three players continue to develop in Hartford.
The New York Rangers' prospect pool is deepening, with the addition of rugged center, Carey Terrence, acquired in the trade for Chris Kreider.
Terrance will be competing with Dyan Roorbroeck and Noah Laba at the AHL level in Hartford for prominence and a chance at a spot in the NHL one day.
However, with JT Miller, Jonny Brodzinski, Vinie Trocheck, Juuso Parssinen, Sam Carrick, and Mika Zibanejad, the roster is chock-full of talent.
They'll have to work to become eventual replacements for veterans who may leave or be traded.
Noah Laba
Laba was originally a fourth-round pick (111th) overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. This season, he'll be playing his first full year of professional hockey in the AHL with the Wolfpack. At 22, he's finally made his way to the Rangers organization after finishing his junior year at Colorado College.
«I don't think you really understand kind of the play (in professional hockey) and the level until you're there playing it, so it definitely was great to get those games in,» Laba explained at development camp in early July. «I played with some older vets who helped me grow. They're great players and it's so easy when you're on the ice with them.»
Laba has shown he's a capable two-way forward, scoring a short-handed goal in one of his 11 games in Hartford.
Laba projects as a future 3C in the NHL, as a two-way player who can win in the face-off circle and play the PK. His toolbag is full of positive characteristics.
Not to mention, his offensive play is not fancy, but no-frills hockey. Laba has proven himself in NCAA play, scoring 37 points in 36 games as a sophomore with Colorado College. Laba isn't afraid to get gritty either, as he accumulated 115 PIMs in 50 games with Lincoln of the USHL.
«I think I'm a big (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), strong, powerful two-way center who can play offense as well as be good defensively and help create time and space for my teammates,» was Laba's recent self scouting report. «That's what I'm trying to bring to all levels.»
Dylan Roorbroeck
Roorbroeck is a 6-foot-7 center who turned pro in 2024-25. His sizable frame led to him making an impression, scoring 20 goals, leading all Hartford skaters at the age of 21. Roorbroeck was originally a 178th overall pick, in the sixth round, and for a late-round selection, he's doing pretty well.
Roorbroeck has shown one thing NHL GMs and coaches love last season: consistency. While it took some time before he progressed in Hartford, he kept the pressure going and would lead to opportunities on the PK and power-play with the Wolfpack.
«Going into your first year, you just want to keep improving,» Roobroeck explained at development camp. «If you start out slow, it's not the end of the world, you just have got to get better each day, each week. I think that's what I focused on, just trying to get better throughout the season.»
Roorbroeck is intentionally doing his best to find his niche in the Rangers' lineup. Given how well towering players like Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe are doing, we're sure the team is taking notice of their efforts.
Carey Terrance
Carey Terrance was acquired in the trade for long-time Rangers veteran Chris Kreider. While Kreider's 326 goals with the organization are nothing to sneeze at, Terrance isn't letting history affect how he's approaching the organization: with a clean slate.
Terrance has proven himself to be a mature leader on the ice, and not to mention, has a great two-way game.
I can skate up and down the ice very well,» he self critiqued. «I can play in all situations, whatever the coach needs me to play that game or that shift. If he needs me to play on the penalty kill or on the power play. I think I'm a versatile player and I can play up and down the lineup.
«Defense wins championships. That's the thing the past two years playing at the World Juniors and the U18s, playing on the PK, win face-offs and be reliable. That's something I've taken pride in my four years of junior and tournaments like that.»
Terrance's offensive production in the OHL with the Erie Otters is nothing to sneeze at either, scoring 30, 29, and 20 in the past three years. Another positive benefit of acquiring Terrance is that he's familiar with the Rangers' 2nd-round pick Malcolm Spence, both being teammates in the Otters organization.
It's Terrance's two-way play that will earn him recognition, as he'll begin his rookie season in the AHL at age 20. Terrance wore the Captain "C" in Erie not too long ago, and is experienced in leading a group.
«He's very coachable, he wants to be coached. He works hard,» Rangers director of pl;ayer development Jed Ortmeyer said. «I got to see him at World Juniors and he's competitive and he likes to play a high-tempo game. He's been great, getting to know him, and he's eager to learn and wants to be great. We're excited to add him to our group.»
There's a reason that Anaheim took him 59th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 13 | 147 ANSWERS Three Rangers' Prospects Looking To Make Strong Impressions Following Chris Kreider Trade Which New York Rangers center prospect is the most exciting? | ||
| Carey Terrance | 43 | 29.3 % |
| Dylan Roorbroeck | 53 | 36.1 % |
| Noah Laba | 51 | 34.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
