New York Rangers Draft Radar June Scouting Report: 2026 Final Edition
The last Draft Radar before the NHL Draft covers the players the Rangers could target from the late first round through day two—including one who might just be their Trocheck of the future.
Beginning in October, we spent each month diving into three different prospects who could, or should, be on the New York Rangers' radar. As that coverage has amplified in the months leading up to the NHL Draft, the final edition of the 2026 Draft Radar Scouting Report will be a rapid fire look at the last round of prospects who could get first-round consideration, as well as some second or third round picks who are worth keeping in mind.
Jack Hextall - Center, Youngstown Phantoms, USHL
I wanted to start with this player, as there is a very good chance he ends up being the name the Rangers call out with the 26th overall pick. Ranked 34th on Central Scouting’s North American list, Hextall is a right-shot center with average size (6-0, 185 pounds) who will be headed to Michigan State next season. Falling just one point shy of a point-per-game place last season, Hextall finished the year with 58 points in 59 games, split between 20 goals and 38 assists. The season prior, he had 34 points in 53 games with the Phantoms.
If Charlie Stramel was a name the Rangers really had a high level of interest in with the Vincent Trocheck trade negotiations, Hextall will surely be high on their priority list on draft day. Projected to be a fringe first/second rounder, Hextall could go on to be a great value pick for the Rangers with the 26th overall selection. This is a player who has very few negative traits. He’s a work-horse of a competitor, is always hard on backchecks and forechecks, wins face-offs, has a great hockey IQ, and possesses just as strong offensive capabilities. Hextall could very well be their Trocheck of the future.
He does need to bulk up and work on being a more reliable two-way player, specifically on the defensive side of the puck, but there is plenty of upside that comes with this player. I’ll be very interested to see how he does at Michigan State where he will get the chance to play with fellow Rangers prospect Sean Barnhill.
