2026 Rangers Season Previews: Cole Beaudoin

 This article is part of an ongoing series of New York Rangers Season Previews, taking a close look at what we can, and should, expect from each member of the 2026-27 New York Rangers. To read other articles in this series, go here.

The Vincent Trocheck trade dance dragged on so long that when it finally happened, it almost didn’t feel real. But it was, and the Rangers got a solid return that included Cole Beaudoin, who immediately became their top center prospect. To the surprise of many, his name is pronounced "boh-DWIN," but that secret won’t last much longer. With his relentless work ethic and physical brand of hockey, Beaudoin will soon endear himself to Rangers fans far and wide.

Previous Performance

In 2024, the Utah Hockey Club was so smitten with Cole Beaudoin that they swung a trade to get another pick in the first round and selected him. The young center made quite an impression on the team, and though he has suffered some minor setbacks in his development, he has mostly taken steps forward.

Beaudoin can be described as an athletic powerhouse. He’s incredibly strong, and it shows in his play on the ice. This, combined with his tenacity and tremendous drive to win, often has him standing out in games and being looked upon favorably by scouts and coaches alike. Beaudoin did have a disappointing post-draft season, failing to take a large step forward, as he posted only 51 points in 52 games. But he has since made it up for it in the 2025-26 year.

Named co-captain of the Barrie Colts, he exploded for 33 goals and 55 assists in 54 games and added another 29 points in 15 games during Barrie’s postseason run. He also potted seven points in seven games for Canada at the World Junior Championship, helping lead them to the bronze medal. This step forward was largely attributed to being a year older, as well as to a marked improvement in his skating, previously viewed as a potential serious flaw, which allowed him not only to keep up with the pace of the game but often to set it. This past year helped ease and erase many of the doubts surrounding his future as a hockey player.

Expectations

For Liam Greentree, I touched on how the Rangers have historically given young players opportunities to make the team out of training camp, and I want to be clear that this opportunity extends to Beaudoin as well. However, I think Beaudoin is an even surer bet to be assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, get meaningful minutes in all situations there, and continue refining the skills the Rangers will need him to have.

Beaudoin will be expected to play an important role with Hartford and to acclimate to the level and pace of professional hockey. He’s been leaned on as a defensive forward throughout his career, so featuring him on the penalty kill should be a top priority for the organization. He’s also shown he’s comfortable slotting up and down a lineup, so he’ll be the perfect piece for a Wolf Pack team looking to reset. If all goes well in the AHL, Beaudoin could play himself into the opportunity to get a small taste of NHL hockey as well should the positional need arise.

Predictions

NHL: 6 GP | 0 G | 2 A | 2 PTS

AHL: 57 GP | 16 G | 17 A | 33 PTS

Bluntly put, Beaudoin will stick around for a game or two in preseason, but will start and play most, if not all, of the year with the Wolf Pack. Beaudoin has never been a team’s top scorer, so expecting him to arrive on the scene guns blazing is unrealistic, even when considering his role and presence in the AHL. It’s also his first year playing professional hockey, so I’m predicting he will experience some growing pains.

There may be a few games where he looks lost or overwhelmed, but that’s all part of the process. Beaudoin works too hard for this not to work out. I want to level-set everyone’s expectations and state flat out that his ceiling is that of a very good third-line center on a competitive team, but it would be shocking if he doesn’t become a bona fide NHLer. But, understand that much of what Beaudoin brings isn’t reflected on the score sheet—he’ll block a shot, finish a check, or forecheck hard to break the other team’s rhythm. He will need to bring that presence to the Wolf Pack and build his brand. I strongly believe it’s a matter of when, not if, he starts playing his style of hockey the Rangers will notice, and he’ll get a look in the NHL shortly thereafter.

Conclusion

Beaudoin is a physical, hard-nosed center with off-the-charts strength and athleticism. He may not have the top-flight skill of elite prospects, but he has a lot of the intangibles and outworks his opponents daily. Since his draft year, his game has already improved significantly, with his skating stride and tempo taking large strides forward.

The Rangers will want him to spend time within their organization, focusing on refining and sharpening his skills to become the best version of himself. That means spending time down in Hartford, marinating and learning everything he can. Beaudoin plays hard, punishes his opponents, and leaves it all on the ice, often standing out because of it. He is a player teams want in big, important moments, and while the Rangers may have a glut of bottom-six forwards, Beaudoin is one you make room for.