Story by
Rangers prospects update: Aspinall, Greentree stand out in OHL
- Story by
- Rangers prospects update: Aspinall, Greentree stand out in OHL
Rangers prospects update: Aspinall, Greentree stand out in OHL
The New York Rangers have 12 prospects currently playing in North America, five in major junior and seven in Division I men's hockey in the NCAA. Each is in the final lap or so of the regular season, with the postseason around the next bend.
You'd imagine that if Rangers general manager Chris Drury has his way, the prospect pipeline will increase before the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline. The Rangers expect to weigh trade offers for Vincent Trocheck , among others, with NHL-ready prospects the desired return.
Advertisement
The Rangers already added OHL standout Liam Greentree to the prospect pool a few weeks ago. Greentree was the key piece the Rangers got back from the Los Angeles Kings in the Artemi Panarin trade .
That said, let's check in on the 12 Rangers prospects playing right now in major junior and the NCAA.
Nathan Aspinall, Liam Greentree top Rangers prospects playing in juniors
Liam Greentree – OHL Images
Nathan Aspinall, RW/LW, Flint (OHL)
Aspinall remains the most productive forward in the Rangers pipeline. The 19-year-old continues to drive Flint's offense and is second in the OHL with 79 points in 55 games. He's also tied for first in the league with 51 assists, and his 28 goals represent a career high.
Advertisement
Aspinall is showing some signs of slowing down after such a strong start this season, however. Flint's captain has three assists in his past four games and no goals in five straight. But there's no doubt that his breakout season is among the highlights for the Rangers organization in 2025-26
Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL)
Greentree has 27 goals and 54 points in 41 OHL games this season. That 1.32 points-per-game average is actually his lowest in three seasons, but the 20-year-old clearly is one of the few prospects close to being NHL-ready in the Rangers system. His playmaking and shot continue to translate, and he'll likely turn pro once his junior season ends.
Greentree and his Spitfires are neck and neck with Aspinall's Firebirds and the Kitchener Rangers for the OHL West Division lead. Greentree caught fire since he was traded to the Rangers, with nine points (four goals, five assists) in his past six games.
Artem Gonchar, D, Sudbury (OHL)
Gonchar's offensive instincts remain strong, but his defensive reads continue to be a work in progress. That said, the 19-year-old is a high‑upside project, and could be the steal of the Rangers' 2025 draft class .
Advertisement
The third-round pick (No. 89 overall) has 12 goals and 42 points in 55 games for Sudbury, in his first season since coming over from Russia.
Evan Passmore, D, Barrie (OHL)
Passmore continues to log steady minutes on Barrie's blue line. His mobility and puck retrievals stand out, though his offensive game (eight points; two goals, six assists in 56 games) is still developing.
Don't look at his numbers, though. Passmore is a top-pair defenseman on one of the best teams in the OHL. His physicality and defensive play are major reasons why.
Raoul Boilard, C/LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Boilard added another goal last week and has four in his past eight games with Cape Breton. The 20-year-old plays in all situations, and is shot and transition play remain strengths, as he pushes for his third straight season with at least 40 points.
Advertisement
Acquired earlier this season in a trade with Shawinigan, Boilard has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 52 games overall, a significant drop off from his previous two QMJHL seasons with Baie-Comeau (62 and 46 points).
Boilard is playing for a Rangers contract and must make a final push to earn one. He could join Hartford of the American Hockey League on an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) when his junior season ends.
Rangers must make decision soon on NCAA prospect Brody Lamb
Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORKCredit: Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK
Brody Lamb, RW, Minnesota (NCAA)
Lamb remains one of Minnesota's most reliable forwards, and is second on the Golden Gophers with a career-high 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games. His skating and shot continue to impress, and the senior is one of three team captains this season. The question is whether has Lamb done enough to earn a contract from the Rangers.
Advertisement
No question he is a gifted goal scorer but his consistency has always been an issue. Minnesota needs a miracle to earn an NCAA invite so Lamb has a shot at joining Hartford in March on an ATO.
Malcom Spence, LW, Michigan (NCAA)
Spence recorded another assist last weekend and continues to play a physical, north‑south game as an NCAA freshman. His pace and forechecking remain key parts of his value, and Spence's 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) are solid for a third-line wing in his first collegiate season.
The 2025 second-round pick by the Rangers hasn't scored a goal since Jan. 9 (11 games), and it'll be interesting to see what he has left in the tank when the NCAA Tournament arrives.
Advertisement
Ty Henricks, LW, Western Michigan (NCAA)
Henricks continues to use his size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) effectively, especially generating scoring chances at even strength. He is tied for fifth on the defending national champs with 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists), playing a more prominent role this season as a sophomore.
Henricks has three multi-goal games this season, and scored just once in his past 10 contests. He remains a long‑term development project, but could very well be an NHL power forward down the road.
E.J. Emery, D, North Dakota (NCAA)
Emery snapped a long goal drought last week and continues to play heavy minutes for No. 3-ranked North Dakota. His skating and defensive stick remain NHL‑caliber tools. And his three goals and eight points are considerably better than last season, when he recorded one assist in 31 games as a freshman.
Advertisement
But Emery's overall game at times has not been what one expects from a first-round draft pick. Emery has all the signs of being able to dominate games; it is frustrating that he has not done so.
Sean Barnhill, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
Barnhill continues to settle into Michigan State's defensive rotation. His physical play and shot suppression remain his calling cards, just as they were when the Rangers snagged him in the third round of the 2025 draft.
Still looking for his first NCAA goal, the 6-foot-6 man-child is just a freshman and growing into his body. With MSU atop the NCAA polls, Barnhill has a chance to play in some big games this season, which will help his development.
Advertisement
Drew Fortescue , D, Boston College (NCAA)
Fortescue remains steady on the Boston College blue line. His defensive reliability continues to project well for a future shutdown role with the Rangers. He also has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) and a team-high 43 penalty minutes in 29 games.
The 20-year-old helped the United States win consecutive gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships and appears ready to turn pro after his junior season in the NCAA concludes this spring.
Rasmus Larsson, D, Robert Morris (NCAA)
Larsson scored his first goal of the season last week, breaking a year‑long drought. The 22-year-old from Sweden played just half the games for Robert Morris this season (16 of 32) and has two points.
Advertisement
In short, this is a lost season for the sophomore. Not even close to be considered a legit prospect, Larsson has two years to change people's minds about him, though his age already works against the 6-foot-3 defenseman.
Related Headlines
