As we head into New York Rangers Rookie Camp this week, a number of prospects will be looking to stand out. To the make the roster out of camp this year is going to be particularly challenging, but there are some positions that could become available as the season progresses.
While there’s a few names that are easy to circle, there’s a number of others who could be in the Rangers future. Let’s take a look at some of the guys who are not front and center, but might make an early impression an potentially earn a call-up some time this season.
RIGHT ON!
Jacob Battaglia
The 20 year old forward was acquired from Calgary last year in exchange for Brennan Othmann after completing his season with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. It’s a familiar team for the Rangers with both Nathan Aspinall and 2026 6th round pick Darian Anderson playing for the team.
He likely became available after getting off to a slow start and managing just 48 points last season in 64 games. It was a stark contrast to a strong 2024-25 season where he put up 90 points in 68 games – and another 13 in 13 playoff games – for the Kingston Frontenacs. A strong playoff showing – 18 points in just 8 games – was promising though, and keeps him in the mix for the Rangers future.
A hard worker with strong character, Battaglia is yet another Ranger prospect who has some question about his skating. Chris Drury has not been afraid of acquiring/drafting these types of players, and it was a fair return for the former first rounder Othmann given his career trajectory.
Like any of these prospects, 6-1 202 Canadian will likely need some injuries to get into the line-up, but is a guy worth keeping an eye on.
FRONT AND CENTER
Aidan Thompson
Another player acquired in a trade, this time for veteran Derrick Pouliot. It was a good return on a guy who didn’t really fit in the Rangers system, and Thompson made a solid impression in Hartford, putting up 7 points in 18 games after the trade.
At 5-11 180lbs, Colorado native is not going to overwhelm anyone with his size, but he does bring good offensive instincts and speed to his game. An offensive leader at both the USHL and NCAA level, he finished his college career with Denver finishing second in the NCAA with 55 points in 44 games.
With respect to the NHL he’s probably best suited for a middle six center role, and whether he gets there remains to be seen. He’s clearly behind Cole Beaudoin as a prospect right now, but is worth keeping an eye on in Hartford. If the Rangers get into injury issues down the middle, then Thompson might be someone they turn to this season.
LEFT TO HIS OWN DEVICES
Entering his third pro season, Roobroeck stands at a bit of a cross-roads. At 6-7 222lbs, he has a frame that immediately catches your attention. A 6th round pick in 2023, the 22 year-old has never been considered much of a sure thing, and yet his puck handling ability does draw your attention.
It’s this ability to make plays that intrigues, and allowed him to put up 20 goals in the 2024-25 seasons. He added 14 points to start his pro career with a respectable 34 points in 72 games. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to build on that last season, and was part of an overall failure in Hartford, reaching totals of just 11 goals and 26 points.
A bounce-back season under new head coach Jay Leach is not out of the question though, and it’s possible the young Canadian forward will re-enter the conversation for a future spot on the Rangers. He’s probably the furthest of these skaters from consideration, but with a strong start to the season and a solid camp, there’s an opportunity for him to keep his NHL dream alive.
LET THE DEFENSE REST
Fortescue turned pro last year and got a nine game cameo with the Rangers at the end of the season. He made an immediate impression on head coach Mike Sullivan, who called out his ability to play smart hockey, rather than safe hockey. Overall the 21 year old New York native impressed the Rangers with his poise and maturity.
With the addition of Marcus Pettersson through trade and the drafting of Alberts Smits, Fortescue has dropped down the depth chart, and will almost certainly start the season in Hartford. It’s not a bad thing though, giving the young man an opportunity to play in more situations and give the Rangers a better look at what they have in him.
He’s likely never going to be a top pair guy, or contribute significantly to the offensive side of the ledger, but his US Juniors experience along with a solid first impression give the Rangers a ready-made future replacement in the line-up should one of the veterans not work out.
Last season the 6-3 216lb Dorrington made a bit of a surprise impression on the Rangers coaching staff, and ended up being one of the last cuts of camp. Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, he was part of the disastrous season in Hartford – a situation that did him few favors.
As a prospect with Vancouver, he continued to progress from his draft year. Most importantly, he found ways to continue to improve defensively. He projects into the bottom four on the blueline, and it’s that type of role he’ll likely start in Hartford. If he can find a way to stand out from the crowd, then there’s an opportunity for him to jump over some of those ahead of him.
Drury probably expects to lose, or move a defenseman or two so Dorrington’s path may clear up as the season progresses. It’ll be up to him to see if he can take advantage and force stronger consideration as the season goes on.
NET RESULTS
If the Rangers are calling on Tung to play this year, there’s one of two things happening. Either the team has been devastated by injury, or Tung has bounced back in a very big way. Signed as an undrafted free agent before last season, the then 21-year-old was reportedly being pursued by multiple teams.
At 6-3 209, he had the frame of a modern NHL goaltender, and he’d exploded into view after a strong 15 game season with the University of Connecticut. Last season proved too much of a step though, and the Canadian netminder struggled to match the pace of the AHL. He finished the year with a below par .855 Sv% and 3.94 GAA in 16 games with the Wolf Pack. He fared a little better in the ECHL, where his .907 Sv% and 3.10 GAA along with one shutout, put him more in the middle of the pack.
This season he’ll almost certainly be starting the year for the Bisons in the ECHL, and he’ll be looking to settle his game after last year’s chaos. With the Rangers having few goaltending prospects in the system right now, Tung has the opportunity to establish himself as a legitimate prospect – all fade out like so many in recent years.
PIT
CBJ