June 24, 2026

With so much focus on the 5th overall pick, sometimes the Rangers draft options at 26th overall, their second 1st round pick, get lost in the shuffle. I am seeing many mocks project some combination of a center and a defenseman with the Rangers first round picks, which makes sense. But right now in the system, the only thing that isn’t a need is a bottom six winger. For that reason, the philosophy for the Rangers draft options at 26th overall is to just take the best player available.

If you haven’t tuned into our draft coverage check out the pieces below on my contenders for pick 5:

I am not high on the depth of this draft, and I don’t see players of the quality of Perreault slipping to the 20s. That being said, there are a few Rangers draft options at 26th overall who have traits that I think the organizations needs to prioritize. I am aware that it’s very possible this pick is moved, although clear trade targets are not obvious to me and I would rather the pick be used to strengthen the prospect pool.

Jack Hextall – RHC – Youngstown Phantoms

Hextall looks like the 3C of the future who plays the game the right way, making him one of the ideal Rangers draft options at this spot. I really liked his play at the Hlinka tournament and he had a productive season in the USHL. Common takeaway seems to be that he is owed more than he gets on the score sheet, so maybe he is a below average finisher but I think he is a legit prospect. Not a standout skater but he’s not bad and isn’t small enough for it to be a concern.

Alexander Command – LHC – Orebro (SHL)

Command is an excellent, competitive two-way center who had a very strong end to the season, and there is a pretty good chance he is gone by pick 26. Average skating means there is still a chance he’s on the board though, and like Hextall, I wouldn’t say his skating is a weakness from what I saw at the U18s. Another player who projects as a 3C.

Elton Hermansson – RW – MoDo (Allsvenskan)

Hermansson is a top 6 talent and would fit the upside swing that Drury previously took on Gabe Perreault. The major difference is that he is a much more conventionally toolsy player than Gabe, standing at 6’1″ with above average speed and high-end skill, making him one of the more enticing Rangers draft options at this spot. He also had a very productive end to the season at the U18s, although 6 of his points came in one game against Denmark. He was very productive in a men’s league, which is always great to see.

Nikita Klepov – RW – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Klepov fits that not fast but a good enough skater profile that dominates the Rangers farm system right now, and he hits the 6-foot threshold, which probably puts him high on Drury’s Rangers draft options list. One of the better playmaking forwards in the draft and someone who projects to contribute on the powerplay at the NHL level. Crafty player with a high skill level, probably falls into the same bucket as Hermansson in terms of upside, although I think Hermansson is toolsier. Impressive production given how low-scoring the OHL was this season.

Mathis Preston – RW – Vancouver Giants (WHL)

The Rangers have drafted plenty of average skaters with above average compete, but Preston would give the prospect pool its first legitimately high-end skater in a very long time, especially at forward. Among all Rangers draft options, skating needs to be a priority for an organization that can’t keep up with teams like Carolina that prioritize skating as a trait. The production probably makes him a bit of a reach at 26, but he has the speed/skill/shooting combination that the Rangers need to start prioritizing when given the opportunity. Ranked second in Wheeler’s Best Skater draft superlative.

Ryan Lin – RHD – Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Public rankings really like Lin as one of the Rangers draft options, but his size profile is one that tends to drop on draft day. I am high enough on him that I would be ok with the Rangers double-dipping on defensemen in the first round just to grab him. He is one of the smartest players in the draft, with an excellent compete level and the ability to move pucks with ease. He’s not near Fox’s level talent in terms of offensive touch and vision…but think Fox’s prototype with better skating. Lin is off to Denver next year to master his craft under the development wizard David Carle.

Ilia Morozov – LHC – Miami University (CCHA)

Morozov performed admirably as a 17 year old in a difficult NCAA conference, all while playing as a center. I think he would be one of hte safer Rangers draft options at this spot, but there is nothing wrong with getting a future bottom-six center at the end of the first round. He is one of the better defensive forwards in the draft, and his size/skating combination would make him a worthwhile addition to the Rangers prospect pool. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big production jump next year.

Tommy Bleyl – RHD – Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

It suddenly looks like the US will have two of the most dynamic blue-liners at the World Juniors in December following the rise of Bleyl. Bleyl might be the best skater in the draft and had an outstanding season in the Q. Concerns around him are that the skill level does not match the skating, so he may create fewer advantages as he moves up levels. Would be a fun swing to take on upside among other Rangers draft options, although he would need to improve defensively to really maximize his value without PP1 time.

Tomas Chrenko – RHC – HK Nitra (Slovakia)

Chrenko would be a reach among Rangers draft options at 26th overall based on draft boards, but I am somewhat confused about why he is not ranked higher more consistently. He was extremely productive for HK Nitra, posting 31 points in 44 games, and was a leading scorer for Slovakia at the World Juniors with 8 points in 5 games (where I really liked his play).

Moreover, while he is only 5’11”, he is an excellent skater with a high skill level, matching a clear organizational need for the Rangers. Somehow, he might actually be a candidate for the Rangers’ late second round pick, but I would take him here.

Brooks Rogowski – RHC – Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Rogowski is a massive (6’7″) center and one of the risers in this year’s draft class. He is going to return to the OHL next year before heading off to Michigan State. The comparable I have seen for him is Nick Bjugstad and Brock Nelson, but that’s if he is able to put together his extremely well-rounded skill set. He is an above average skater, particularly for his size, and would be a really intriguing bet by the Rangers.

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