PUBLICATION
Ryan Hall
May 18, 2025Â Â (11:00)
Photo credit: New York Post
The Rangers organization are preparing themselves for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with three potential target players at 43rd overall.
Despite missing the playoffs, the New York Rangers face a major decision involving their 2025 first-round pick with the pick being involved during the NHL trade deadline.
Three players are on Rangers radar in the second round
It became clear, the New York Rangers design needs an overhaul and will likely need quality players from their draft picks to replace the young stars as they graduate into the NHL.
One position that the Rangers need to focus on would be their defence and at 43rd overall, Peyton Kettles from the Swift current Broncos of the Western Hockey League would be ideal as he stands at 6 foot 5 and 194 lbs.
He holds a physical edge and would help the Rangers in the bottom pairings of the team as this was an issue for the Rangers last year.
His size, combined with the fact that he is a right-shot defender, will entice some teams to take a chance on him if he’s available in the second round.
The Rangers could take a chance on him there and turn him into a project player.
With some added confidence and some fine-tuning to his offensive game, he could attempt to crack an NHL roster within two or three seasons. – Jesse Courville-Lynch
Goaltending is always a position that any team needs to look towards in the draft and the Rangers could find themselves choosing Jack Ivankovic who plays for the Brampton Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League.
Ivankovic stands at six feet and 179 lbs which puts him on the smaller side of goaltending but posted great numbers for his team which would give the Rangers an option to draft him.
In 43 games, he posted a 3.05 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .903 save percentage (SV%). He also played in the U18 World Championship and appeared in the U20 World Championship representing Canada.
He played six games at the U18 tournament, posting a 1.05 GAA and a .961 SV%. In his one appearance at the U20 tournament, he stopped 24 of 26 shots in a loss. – Jesse Courville-Lynch
Defenseman Haoxi «Simon» Wang this would be another defender the Rangers would be looking towards as he stands at 6 foot 6 and 212 lbs and holds a left-handed shot.
Wang spent time with two Ontario teams with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL and the King Rebellion of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
With the Rebellion, he scored four goals and added 18 assists for 22 points through 38 games. With the Generals, he had two assists through 32 games.
He is a solid defensive-minded player who will be an enticing selection for any team looking to bolster their prospect pool with a potential future bottom-pairing defender. – Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Rangers hold eight draft picks in this entry draft which will help continue to bolster their junior ranks and farm system.
Drury has told the franchise and the fan base that changes will be coming to the roster with a possible trade at the draft which could land him another first round pick while parting ways with one of his better players.
All eyes will now be on the draft as these are key moments for the Rangers in their upcoming offseason.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
POLL
51 MINUTES AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 21 ANSWERS
New York Rangers three targets during the second round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft
Do you think the Rangers will make a trade at the draft that would have a big impact ?