The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

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Make sure to check out the New York Rangers team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/new-york-rangers/

To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

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By: Brendan Ferry

2024-25 was a disappointing season for the Rangers, to say the least. Fresh off of a President’s Trophy- winning season and a run to the Eastern Conference Finals a year prior, the team struggled for much of the season and missed the playoffs. As a result, many changes were on tap, starting with the firing of coach Peter Laviolette and the hiring of former Penguins coach Mike Sullivan (Sully), also a former assistant coach in New York under John Tortorella. Sully is now tasked with getting the team back on track, and will be working with a lineup that is drastically different than at this time last Summer. Gone is talented but inconsistent left defenseman K’Andre Miller, traded to the Hurricanes for two picks and prospect Scott Morrow. Gone is franchise legend Chris Kreider, traded to the Anaheim Ducks to reunite with former blueshirts Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome, and Jacob Trouba. Gone is defenseman Zac Jones, who signed with Buffalo after being let go by New York.  

Each of those moves is in addition to the host of players traded away during 2024-25: Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, Victor Mancini, Reilly Smith, Jimmy Vesey, and the aforementioned Trouba. Trade acquisitions from a season ago include 2015 first round pick J.T. Miller, back with the club after stints in Tampa and Vancouver, Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen, Carson Soucy, and Juuso Parssinen. Also new to the roster heading into the upcoming season is free agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, formerly of the Kings.

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NHL Draft Recap

Round 2, pick 43- Malcolm Spence, F

Spence is viewed as a player who has the potential to be a draft steal, as he was projected in many circles as a first-round pick. Certain scouts have questioned his true upside, and some expected more from him in his final season of OHL play. Still, Spence was able to put up 73 points in 65 games played a season ago, along with a plus- 10 rating and an “A” on his sweater. Those doubts aside, the young Canadian winger looks like a nice bet to carve out at least a decent NHL career.

A versatile, tough competitor with good skills, a good shot, and an above average motor, Spence has the potential to blossom into a point producing middle six winger at the NHL level. He is toolsy and physical, and has the ability to wreak havoc on opponents with his tenacious play. After spending the past three seasons playing in the OHL for the Erie Otters, where he played alongside 2025 number one overall pick Matthew Schaefer and fellow Rangers prospect Carey Terrance, Spence will be suiting up for the University of Michigan in the NCAA in 2025-26. Expect the Rangers organization to employ a patient approach with their young winger, as he will have a good opportunity to continue to grow his game over the next two to three seasons with the Wolverines.

Round 3, pick 70- Sean Barnhill, D

Barnhill is a hulking 6-5 right handed defenseman, weighing in at 214 pounds.  He suited up for a full season of play with Dubuque in the USHL in 2024-25, after a brief cameo with the team in 2023-24. After being drafted by the Rangers in this Summer’s draft, the strong skating defender will be playing for Michigan State University in the NCAA in 2025-26. He is seen as a strong positional defenseman, and due to his great size, is able to neutralize opponents well by using his large frame and good reach. The Arizona native is physical and smart, and has some decent offensive tools, as well. If he is able to hone his offensive game at the collegiate level, he has the potential to be an absolute stud on New York’s blueline in the future. However, his defending ability alone should be enough to get himself a look at a pro contract after a few seasons at the NCAA level.

Round 3, pick 89- Artyom Gonchar, D

The nephew of former NHL defenseman Sergei Gonchar, the young Russian certainly has great bloodlines working in his favor. He is a skilled skater and passer, but is undersized, and will require a great deal of development and strength training over the course of the next handful of seasons, before being on the organizational radar for an opportunity at the pro level in North America. After playing for Russian junior teams for a few seasons, the lefty defenseman played the past season and a half in the MHL, Russia’s second tier. He will suit up for the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL in 2025-26. It should be expected that Gonchar will be handled very patiently by the Rangers organization, but if everything lines up for him, he has the potential to be a hidden gem.  First things first, however, as he needs to acclimate to the North American game and work hard to add some muscle onto his slight frame.

Round 4, pick 111- Mikkel Eriksen, F

Eriksen, the native Norwegian, suited up for Farjestad in Swedish Juniors a season ago, posting 43 points in 40 games played.  The left shot center will play for Farjestad again in 2025-26, now at the SHL level.  Some scouts had him projected a good bit higher in their draft rankings, impressed with his playmaking and hockey smarts.  He is also billed as being a very good skater with a good shot.  Eriksen is also one of the youngest players eligible for the 2025 draft, as he was just short of the cutoff date, giving him a great deal of runway as far as his development.  

Round 5, pick 139- Zeb Lindgren, D

The Rangers re-filled their organizational quota of Lindgrens in this Summer’s draft, after dealing away fan favorite Ryan at the trade deadline this past season. Zeb, the mobile, smooth skating lefty, played for Skelleftea at the J18, J20, and SHL levels in 2024-25, as well as for Sweden’s U-18 team, compiling 24 total points in 61 combined games. He is considered a strong puck-moving defenseman with very good passing ability, and has shown a great deal of promise. The young Swede will again play for Skelleftea in 2025-26, this time at the U-20 level. Bet on Lindgren progressing back to the SHL level and remaining in Sweden for three to four more seasons before attempting to make the transition to North America, and presumably, the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.

Round 6, pick 166- Samuel Jung, F

Jung, the Polish-born Czech product, is an overage draftee with good size, listed at 6-3, and a good shot, but scouts question the remainder of his game. He has improved over the past few seasons, but does not possess great speed, so this appeared to be the organization taking a draft gamble on a player who may be a late bloomer, but will certainly have a long road ahead of him to even be on New York’s radar a few years from now. He played for Karpat in Finnish juniors the past three seasons, but is currently not listed on any roster for 2025-26.

Round 6, pick 171- Evan Passmore, D

With their second pick of the sixth round, the Rangers gambled on another giant on the back end, selecting the 6-5, 212 pound righty. He is a strong defender, utilizing his big frame and long reach to neutralize opponents.  He has spent the past two seasons with Barrie in the OHL. With only 15 combined points across 115 games played during that span, Passmore is unlikely to ever develop into a fantasy option, although he could be useful in leagues that reward penalty minutes, as he has compiled 96 of those during that same span.  The Ontario native faces a long period of development and will need to continue to improve his game over the course of the next few seasons.

Round 7, pick 203- Felix Farhammar, D

Farhammar, the left- shot defenseman, was the Rangers’ final selection of the 2025 draft, coming in at number 203 overall. Last season, the Swedish native appeared in 59 total games a year ago, playing in four different divisions with Orebro, including two games of SHL play.  The 18 year old, weighing in at 6-1 and 185 pounds, put up some nice point totals in 2024-25 with those teams, with 43 points in those 59 games. Clearly, he possesses some offensive skill that prompted the Rangers to take a gamble on him towards the end of the draft. Indeed, Farhammar is billed as a good two way player with good passing ability, good physicality, and good defensive instincts. He is currently rostered on Orebro’s U-20 team for 2025-26, but will presumably be able to get into some SHL action, as well. With the Rangers holding his signing rights through June of 2029, expect a very patient development approach as far as development overseas for both the player and the team.

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming / Probable 2025-26 role: 

Vladislav Gavrikov- D: 1^st pair LD, NYR

Taylor Raddysh- RW/LW: 3^rd line, NYR

Scott Morrow- D: 3^rd paid RD, NYR/ minors

Trey Fix-Wolansky- RW: AHL Hartford/ depth

Carey Terrance- C/LW (acquired in Kreider trade): Hartford

Noah Laba- C: Hartford (appeared in 11 games w/ HFD in 2024-25)

Jackson Dorrington- D: Hartford (appeared in nine games w/ HFD in 2024-25)

Callum Tung- G: Hartford (appeared in two games w/ HFD in 2024-25)

Mike Sullivan- Head Coach

David Quinn, Ty Hennes, Joe Sacco- Assistant Coaches

Outgoing

Chris Kreider (Traded to Anaheim Ducks)

K’Andre Miller (Traded to Carolina Hurricanes)

Zac Jones (Signed with Buffalo Sabres)

Arthur Kaliyev (Signed with Ottawa Senators)

Head Coach Peter Laviolette (fired)

Assistant Coaches Dan Muse (hired as Pittsburgh Penguins HC), Phil Housley (fired) and Michael Peca (hired as Chicago Blackhawks Asst. coach)

Re-signed

Will Cuylle, F

Matthew Robertson, D 

Dylan Garand, G (minors)

Brendan Brisson, LW/RW (minors)

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In the System

Risers

Brett Berard, W

Berard had a strong start to his AHL season in 2024-25, and was able to earn a call up to the big club, where he appeared in 35 games for the blueshirts, posting 10 points.  The energetic winger, known for his high compete level, emerged relatively quickly into his pro career as a player who would fit well into the Rangers’ bottom six, and was able to earn the trust of New York’s coaching staff.  Berard is a sparkplug and plays a fearless style, and has been defying the odds for years now, as a standout for USA World Junior teams, the Providence College Friars, and then the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.  Berard played most of his 35 games in New York with an injured shoulder, so he hopes to build upon a strong showing a year ago, bolstered by a full summer of training and getting healthy.

Scott Morrow, D

Morrow, acquired by the Rangers in the K’Andre Miller trade, is placed on this list by default, as he instantly becomes one of New York’s top prospects, and one who has considerable fantasy upside, once he is able to lock down a permanent spot on New York’s blueline.  Of course, with Adam Fox manning the right side of the Rangers’ power play for the foreseeable future, it may be a bit of a challenge for Morrow to earn his opportunities with the man advantage, although he fits the bill as a great PP2 quarterback option, assuming that he is able to translate his terrific offensive gifts to the NHL.  Morrow has decent size at 6-2 and 194 pounds, and looks to join Fox and Braden Schneider as a strong trio of righties for years to come in New York.  The biggest challenge for Morrow heading into 2025-26 is the glut of competition taking shape for the Rangers’ bottom four, unless a defenseman is moved in a trade before the season starts.  Currently, Morrow, Urho Vaakanainen, Matt Robertson and Carson Soucy are competing for two spots in new coach Mike Sullivan’s lineup.  If Morrow is unable to earn a full time role to start the season, he will, of course, be sent to Hartford to get tons of minutes and to try to earn a quick callup.

Drew Fortescue, D

Fortescue, the Boston College Eagle, has now played critical roles for two Gold Medal winning team USA World Junior teams, and continues to grow his game at the collegiate level.  While his offense and point production is not noteworthy in and of itself, the left-shot Fortescue has a growing reputation as a fantastic defender.  He will return to Boston College for his Junior season, after which he could make the jump directly to the Rangers to help bolster their emerging defense corps. Fortescue may not necessarily blossom into a great fantasy option at the NHL level, but is nevertheless building himself an impressive resume and garnering plenty of praise and attention along the way.

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Fallers

Brennan Othmann, LW

Othmann appeared in 22 games with the Rangers a season ago, posting only two assists.  While former head coach Peter Laviolette certainly had something to do with that, as a coach who is heavily veteran- reliant, the young winger’s production was certainly underwhelming.  Othmann did have to work through healthy scratches, low minute totals, and being jerked up and down the lineup when he did play, however, which obviously did not do much to help his confidence.  With a fresh start with a new head coach in Mike Sullivan, one who is known to maximize young talent, Othmann hopes to have a strong rebound in 2025-26 and to earn a permanent spot in New York’s middle six.  He plays an aggressive game and boasts a strong shot, so given the opportunity, Othmann could thrive in his new environment and truly establish himself in the league.  A feisty competitor, one can be sure that Othmann is determined to right the ship and silence his critics.

EJ Emery, D

Emery competed in his first season of college hockey in 2024-25, appearing in 31 games with North Dakota.  While known for his defensive play, and dealing, of course, with the adjustment to his new hockey environment, Emery posted only one assist a season ago, a somewhat alarming lack of production.  Critics have noted, however, that his defensive play remains strong.  After acclimating to the college game, the righty hopes to show some improvement in his offensive game during his Sophomore season.  If he is unable to hone that element of his game, Emery will prove to be a one- sided player, and a poor fantasy option in the future, if he is able to earn a spot in the NHL someday.

Brendan Brisson, RW/LW

Brisson, the former first-round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL draft, has been unable to make a big impact at the pro level.  He appeared in nine games with Vegas this past season prior to being traded to New York, posting zero points.  Worse yet, the soon-to-be 24 year old was less than a half-point per game last season for both AHL teams that he appeared with, the Silver Knights and the Wolf Pack.  In 61 combined AHL games played, the American- born forward scored only seven goals and 18 assists.  As a winger with average size, Brisson finds himself in the midst of a crowded prospect pool, and has not done nearly enough to set himself apart from his peers.  Now acclimated to his new organization, the California native will need to show that he can take advantage of his change of scenery, after failing to make an impression on the Golden Knights’ hierarchy.  Brisson is no longer waivers exempt, and will be a restricted free agent at the end of 2025-26.

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Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the New York Rangers prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Gabe Perreault
2. Scott Morrow
3. Brennan Othmann
4. Brett Berard
5. Drew Fortescue
6. Malcolm Spence
7. Dylan Garand
8. Noah Laba
9. Matthew Robertson
10. Adam Sykora
11. Jaroslav Chmelar
12. EJ Emery
13. Bryce McConnell- Barker
14. Raoul Boilard
15. Brody Lamb
16. Jackson Dorrington
17. Kalle Vaisanen
18. Carey Terrance
19. Sean Barnhill
20. Talyn Boyko

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Make sure to check out the New York Rangers team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/new-york-rangers/

To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

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Thank you for reading! Stay tuned throughout the season for more prospect updates.

Brendan Ferry