2026 Rangers Season Previews: Drew Fortescue

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.

Drew Fortescue was a pleasant surprise throughout his nine game trial at the end of last season. Coming straight from Boston College in the NCAA to the New York Rangers in the NHL, his transition wasn't seamless but it was just about as much as you could possibly ask for. Albeit a small sample size, Fortescue showed that he belonged at the professional level and gave the organization plenty to think about as he embarks on his career.

Previous Performance

Fortescue wrapped up his college hockey tenure at BC with four goals and ten assists in a 35 game junior season. Across his three years there, Fortescue finished with a total of eight goals and 25 assists for 33 total points. All things considered, his development at BC was a success. His point totals increased slightly each year, he took on more and more responsibility with each passing season and, in the end, was a top-pair, minute-eating defenseman who can be trusted in a variety of roles. This resulted in Chris Drury and the Rangers deciding to skip a tryout and go straight to signing Fortescue to his entry-level deal in late March.

Fortescue made his debut in what became a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on March 27. It would become a memorable first outing as the young defenseman had 200 friends and family show up in support as he picked up his first career point.

Fortescue would finish the year playing in nine of ten possible games, with a pair of assists to show for it. While he was healthy scratched for a game, there's plenty of evidence that it had nothing to do with his level of play. Mike Sullivan and the coaching staff labeled it as a match-up based decision and felt it was a good opportunity for him to watch and learn. There was also speculation the decision had to do with Fortescue being due a significant bonus had he appeared in ten games. Reports also stated it was less about the bonus and more about contract control for when he comes out of his ELC.

Regardless of the reasoning behind the healthy scratch, Fortescue's efforts in a Rangers jersey were quite encouraging. Given where things left off in April, it felt as though Fortescue was going to be an option for the Rangers moving forward. While that still may be the case, several additions to the team's blueline may indicate a full season in the AHL could be most likely.

Expectations

I don’t think there’s any question: Fortescue is now expected to start the season in Hartford. With Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson now in the picture, and with first round draft pick Alberts Smits having an opportunity to make the team out of camp, there just isn’t a place for him on the NHL roster right now. Of course, this shouldn’t be viewed as a bad thing. Jumping right from the NCAA to the NHL, Fortescue has yet to play a single game in the AHL. A full season of being their top defenseman, running a power play, killing penalties, playing crucial minutes will do wonders for him and make him better off for the long haul. 

Furthermore, I don’t think it’s likely we see much of him at the NHL level this season. With Alberts Smits in mind, it’s fair to assume the Rangers start the season with: 

Gavrikov - Fox
Pettersson - Durzi
Smits - Schneider
Vaakanainen

In the event Smits needed time in Hartford to develop, Matthew Robertson would be next in line. There’s a good chance Fortescue would be next in line after that, but there's still Scott Morrow and Vincent Iorio to keep in mind. The Rangers also signed Dennis Cholowski and Marc Del Gaizio in free agency who have more professional experience and could be the safer call up in the event the team is more competitive this season.

Predictions:

NHL: 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 PTS
AHL: 70 GP | 8 G | 24 A | 32 PTS

Fortescue is exempt from waivers, so he can come and go as the Rangers please without having to worry about him being claimed by another team. Still, I just don't see him getting much action this season unless Smits gets sent to Hartford and injuries arise. This is fine, seeing as a full year as a consistent part of the Wolf Pack's blue line would be beneficial not just to his development, but to the team in Hartford who desperately needs some help.

Long term, I do wonder what his place in the organization is. Vladislav Gavrikov and Marcus Pettersson are both under contract for the next five-plus years, and the Rangers just added Alberts Smits, who will hopefully be their left-shot defenseman of the future. Plenty can change in the next two-to-three years (just ask Will Borgen), but until things do, it's going to be tough for Fortescue to earn a spot on this team.

Conclusion

For now, having him as a full-time minor leaguer is perfectly fine. It just can't get to a point where he turns into Zac Jones 2.0. If he can be a full-time NHL player, play him. If you don't have a spot for him in the NHL until two or three years down the road, sell high on him. But that's a tomorrow problem. Right now, he's the exact type of player Chris Drury stated this team needed more of, so continuing to prioritize his development should be the main objective.