Skill, Size, or Swagger? Rangers Have Options at 26th Overall

The New York Rangers are flush with capital heading into the upcoming NHL draft in June, including two first round picks. After the lottery, we knew where their first pick would be, but it wasn’t until the Buffalo Sabres fell to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime of Game 7 in the Conference Semifinal that their second pick was determined. Having received the Dallas Stars' pick as part of the return for sending K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Rangers now know that will be 26th overall.

There have been many successful selections at 26th overall in the draft’s history, and the Rangers are hoping that trend continues—not just this year's pick, but also for the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Liam Greentree. Picks at 26th overall have included talent ranging from Tage Thompson, Shea Theodore, and Jake Oettinger, to players who have failed to stick in the NHL, like Nikita Scherbak and Brendan Gaunce.

There are a few strategies can help the Rangers find a diamond in the rough late in the first round. First, focus on talent, skill level, and swing for upside. There are bound to be players who get passed up and fall on the first day of the draft. The Rangers owe it to themselves to pay attention to trends and reassess their own talent board as the draft unfolds. Second—a strategy that is generally undeniable, but even more important at this point in the draft—always to take the best player available. Third, prioritize players with an elite level or an unteachable trait. This is not to say they should just draft a big player (though I’ll say it again, you can’t teach big), but rather to dig into players who possess superior skating ability, an elite-level shot, or an ever-burning motor.

Now, with all that being said, let’s take a look at some realistic and hopeful draft options that could be on the board for the Blueshirts when they reach the stage for their second first-rounder of the draft. I’ll have some of my own options here, but I also reached out to Chris for a couple of his own suggestions.

Tomas Chrenko - Center, Nitra, Slovakia

Pronounced Huh-WREN-koh, the Slovakian center made sure everyone knew his name at the recent World Junior Championship, scoring eight points in five games, including a hat trick against Germany and two goals and one assist against USA. His silky-smooth mitts were on full display. He led Slovakia in points in the tournament, but that’s not new for the young center, having done that the season prior while playing for HK Nitra’s U20 squad, averaging more than two points per game. Since being promoted to the men’s top league, he’s barely slowed down, scoring 31 points in 44 games as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

I listed Chrenko as 26th overall in my mock draft, and he's prioritized here for his skill level and offense. There are some questions about his ability to play center in the NHL, but he hasn’t faltered so far when facing down challenge after challenge. Much of that doubt may stem from him being on the smaller side—a sub-six-foot skater standing at 5-11—but his skill level is undeniable. He’s a fluid skater and has displayed above-average puck skills and a wicked shot. Despite his smaller stature, he has never backed down and has consistently tried to get to the dirty areas. I think an NHL career is in the future for the young Slovak, and the Rangers would do alright betting on that.