Story by
Rangers Prospect Rankings: Why Watching Matters More Than Guessing
- Story by
- Rangers Prospect Rankings: Why Watching Matters More Than Guessing
Make no mistake: nothing is more frustrating than seeing people who never watch New York Rangers prospects declare who the "best prospect" is. If you're not watching these kids play, you're guessing — and guessing doesn't cut it.
The Rangers Prospect Pool This Season
The Rangers had 13 prospects playing in North America this season, including midseason additions Liam Greentree and Jacob Battaglia . Here's how the group broke down:
Advertisement
-
Fivein the OHL
-
Onein the QMJHL
-
Sevenin the NCAA
With overlapping schedules, it was impossible to watch every game. So the goal became simple: see each prospect at least once a month — early season, midseason, and now at the end.
That's the foundation for these rankings.
Nathan Aspinall: The Undisputed No. 1
Nathan Aspinall — photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
The Rangers Saw It First
The top Rangers prospect this season is Nathan Aspinall of the Flint Firebirds in the OHL. And credit where it's due: the Rangers clearly saw something others didn't in the 6-foot-7 forward, whom they selected in the fifth round (No. 159 overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft . He got a five-game opportunity on an ATO with the Hartford of the American Hockey League last spring and a good look in training camp back in September.
Advertisement
From Raw to Reliable
Last season, Aspinall had 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists), was minus-12, and needed work everywhere — skating, shooting, defending. This season started unevenly too. He opened hot (6‑4‑10 in six games), then cooled off, at least as goal scoring was concerned (0‑4‑4 in his next five).
Even after Aspinall signed his entry-level contract on Oct. 23, the 19-year-old didn't fully take off until November.
Then He Became a Force
From Nov. 2nd on, Aspinall erupted for 80 Points (27 goals, 53 assists) over 54 games. He finished with 33‑61‑94, spending most of the season either leading the OHL in scoring or sitting right behind the leader. He finished second , three points behind Nikita Klepov of Saginaw.
Advertisement
He also:
-
Led the OHL in first goals(8)
-
Ranked thirdin assists (61)
-
Ranked thirdin primary assists
When Flint needed a big play, their captain delivered time and again.
A Legit MVP Candidate
Aspinall has been a serious contender for the Red Tilson Trophy as OHL MVP since midseason — and he earned my vote.
Even better for the Rangers: three of their prospects — Aspinall, Artem Gonchar , and Greentree — are nominees for the prestigious award.
Artem Gonchar: The Breakout Nobody Saw Coming
If you're looking for the biggest surprise among Rangers prospects this season, it's Gonchar.
Offensive Instincts You Can't Teach
Gonchar's 51-point season came a bit out of nowhere. The 19-year-old defenseman is a magician with the puck, threading passes that catch defenders — and sometimes teammates — off guard. His offensive instincts are natural and rare. Gonchar had 15 goals and 36 assists in 65 games for Sudbury in his first season playing in North America.
Advertisement
Defense Still Work in Progress
Yes, the 2025 third-round pick (No. 89 overall) needs to tighten up defensively. But the Rangers have stay‑at‑home types like E.J. Emery and Drew Fortescue who can eventually help balance out what Gonchar brings on the blue line.
Liam Greentree: Built Like Future Captain
Liam Greentree — photo courtesy OHL Images
If you're projecting leadership, Greentree checks every box. It's a big reason why the Rangers acquired Greentree from the Los Angeles Kings in the Artemi Panarin trade last month.
Carrying Windsor to Finish Line
Flint looked like a lock to finish atop the West Division in the OHL — until Greentree decided otherwise. He put Windsor on his back and dragged them to first place.
Advertisement
Over the final 11 games, the 20-year-old forward scored 11 goals and totaled 20 points. Windsor will go as far in the playoffs as the red-hot Greentree takes them.
After establishing career highs with 49 goals, 70 assists, and 119 points last season, Greentree was 38-26-74 this season
Where Rangers Go From Here
Even with these bright spots, the Rangers still need more help if they're going to fix the mess at the NHL level. They need more prospects to step up — plain and simple.
With the NCAA tournament and CHL playoffs underway, this is the moment for someone else to emerge and give Rangers fans a reason to believe in the future.
Advertisement
Related Headlines
