When the New York Rangers are on the clock in the second round of the NHL Draft next week, they very well could be considering one of two, big, left-shot defensemen, one from China, the other from Russia.
It's certainly worth getting to know Simon Wang and Kurban Limatov, since each should be on the Rangers
radar.
Let's take a closer look.
Related: Intriguing prospects Mason West, Jack Murtagh could be Day 2 options for Rangers at 2025 NHL Draft
(Oshawa Generals) 6-foot-6, 212 pounds
Wang started last season in the OJHL with the King Rebellion and had four goals and 22 points in 38 games. After that, he moved up to the OHL with Oshawa and recorded two assists in 32 games and three more in 21 playoff games.
The Boston University commit will decide to join them next season or play one more season in the OHL to build his game and confidence.
Even with those middling offensive numbers, Bob McKenzie and several analysts have him as a first-round talent, and most mock drafts have him going early in the second round. Scott Wheeler, in fact, has him as the 43rd ranked prospect, which is when the Rangers select in the second round.
The towering defenseman from Beijing may be the most intriguing player in the draft, per McKenzie. He was raised in China and moved to North America at 14 to pursue a hockey career. Wang could eventually become the first China-born and raised player to sign an NHL contract one day.
His father works in the Chinese government and his mom owns and operates as many as five rinks in China where he learned to skate. He didn't play organized hockey until he came to North America, which is an accomplishment in itself.
To make sure he played in the OJHL, his mother purchased the Brantford 99ers, and the investment paid off with his promotion to the OHL.
Most teams have kept tabs on what is sure to be a project with low-risk, high-reward written all over it. Wang is an incredible skater for his size and not afraid to use that size to impose fear in his opponents. He makes sure they feel it every time he throws his weight around.
Not playing organized hockey until he was a teenager makes Wang a prospect that could take a while to get to the NHL level. With his natural abilities, patience should pay off with proper development.
Wang isn't likely to be a big-time scorer, but his effortless ability to separate himself in stride, decent hands and that heavy shot release could still make him a force one day.
He may never be more than a Niko Mikkola-type player, but all 32 teams likely would take that from a second-round pick, if they're willing to be patient with his development.
Projected timeline to the NHL: 4-5 years
Related: Rangers could consider these USNTDP centers in 2nd round of 2025 NHL Draft
(HC Dynamo) 6 foot-3, 198 pounds
Analysis from Elite Prospects
2025 NHL Draft Guide:
"Limatov is a big, mobile defenseman that plays aggressively on both sides of the puck to impose himself every game. He's a truly impressive mover, blending jaw-dropping fluidity for a player his size while also bringing plenty of explosiveness. He escapes forecheckers on breakouts with ease, then transports the puck across the neutral zone through crossover-heavy rushes. It helps that he's also very strong physically, employing a strong base and ideal depth throughout his stride."
The big Moscow-born defensemen is as smooth as it comes for a sturdy, reliable young prospect. Very poised and effective in how he defends in the defensive zone with his reach and controlled physicality. Yet, always ready to start or join the rush once he takes away the puck.
Deceiving when he first starts skating with the puck in his own end, but once he decides his path, is very confident in protecting the puck. He can simply weave through players on a breakout, or at times pull off a smooth spin-a-rama to create space to advance the puck.
When at the point in the offensive zone, very agile on his skates to keep pucks in and move it around to establish possession time for his team. Never sacrifices defense for offense, but can create a scoring chance very effectively with his skating and subtle stick-handling ability.
Limatov knows just when to pinch in transition or off a cycle to receive a pass and get a shot through screens to find the twine. Off the cycle, he can pull a quick audible to do so as well when the play may not even look like it's there.
His confidence holding the blue translates to someone who likely could shift to the right side if necessary, making him an attractive and safe draft pick for whoever selects him.
This past season he played mostly in the Russian Junior Hockey League for the Dynamo organization's entry, finishing with eight goals and 23 points in 46 games. Limatov was called up to the KHL to play one game with the Dynamo, where he should play more games next season. Time's on his side since he just turned 18 in March.
A solid comparable is Mattias Ekholm
of the Edmonton Oilers
. May not even notice how effective Limatov is but, for his age, plays a very mature and responsible game. Don't see a reason he doesn't become at least a solid bottom-pairing defenseman.
Projected timeline to the NHL: 4-5 years
Related Headlines
