Photo credit: Marca
The New York Rangers will be selecting 12th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. GM Chris Drury could use the pick instead of sending it to the Penguins. If he does, he should consider finding a partner for Adam Fox on the blue line.
The New York Rangers are going to lose a shot at selecting Matthew Schaefer, who is projected to be the 1st overall pick in the NHL draft. As he goes to the Islanders, the team will have to keep their ear to the ground in order to find the best pick at 12th overall.
They could add a solid prospect who could bolster the team’s blue line, since Adam Fox doesn’t have a legitimate partner at the moment.
At 12th overall, they could end up drafting defenseman Radim Mrtka or Kashawn Aitcheson.
Mrtka left Czechia at 17 to play junior hockey in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds. It had been difficult to get time on the ice, which prompted his exit from his home country.
Now, as a Thunderbird, he’s found himself in the right position to keep the offense at bay. While he’s not projected to be a top defenseman in the NHL, he has a fluid skating ability that projects to what could be the next Niko Mikkola.
«The right-shot defenseman, born in Czechia, is hard to miss. The Western Hockey League rookie possesses great hockey sense and competitiveness. The 17-year-old is considered a two-way defenseman whose upside is too good to pass up. Selected by Seattle in the second round (No. 71) of the 2024 CHL import draft, Mrtka had 35 points (three goals, 32 assists) in 43 games.»
He’s a right-shot defenseman with size and strength and can make plays through traffic.
But given the draft of EJ Emergy, also a right-handed defenseman, it’s difficult to discern whether they’ll take him at 12th or not.
Aitcheson would be a nice pick-up for the Rangers, as an offensive threat from the point. He has a vision of the ice that gives him the ability to be flexible on the play, as he doesn’t have to sacrifice his defense to play the other side of the puck.
«The Flyers need more snarl along the blue line and Aitcheson (6-1, 196) not only fills that void but can push the pace with some offensive flair. The 18-year-old was third among OHL defensemen with 26 goals and seventh with 59 points in 64 games, and had 21 power-play points (nine goals, 12 assists). Defensively, he’s fierce, gets in the face of his opponent and is physically engaged.»
He can finish off the cycle from anywhere on the ice. Aitcheson’s on-ice vision lends well to playmaking abilities and getting the puck out of the zone for a breakout.
Not only that, but his skating ability has a way of drawing defenders to him while skating into the offensive zone. This gives him the ability to create plays and find someone to finish in the slot with a tap-in.
He is not afraid to get dirty, physically, and is known to play above his size, catching players with their head down and blowing them up. He’s not afraid to answer the bell either.
He’s a well-rounded, old-school defenseman with great skating ability.
To give you an idea of where he’s projected to be compared to NHL defenseman is Dmitry Orlov, who had an excellent season in Boston under Jim Montgomery. He can be physical, and lend a hand on the offensive side of the puck.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
POLL
28 MINUTES AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 3 ANSWERS
Insider reveals several top defenseman options for the New York Rangers at the 2025 NHL Draft
Who should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers select 12th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft?