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The New York Rangers have some interesting draft options open for them at 12th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. Two players available could be Jack Nesbitt, of the Windsor Spitfires, and Roger McQueen of the Brandon Wheat Kings, and we have some analysis from Mike Morreale on what kind of player McQueen is.
The New York Rangers will need to use their pick to select the best player available in the 2025 NHL Draft.
While picking 12th overall, you’d think the team would miss out on top prospects in the 1st-round, but this draft class has some quality centers which could be available when the team picks.
NHL.com/s Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale held their own mock draft and selected 12th OA in the Rangers spot, and their picks are quite surprising.
Each projected the Rangers to select a big center, Jack Nesbitt and Roger McQueen.
Nesbitt is 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, and would add some talent down the middle after the team traded away Filip Chytil.
«The Rangers need to get younger through the middle of the ice, and Nesbitt was able to use his size and skating to stand out on a strong Windsor team this season. He plays a smart 200-foot game to go with his strong offensive skill set.»
Nesbitt could be compared to Chytil, but his similarities end at speed really. Nesbitt is a left-shot center who could turn into a 2C. While he may not play at an elite level of hockey, he has a great sense of the ice, with his hockey IQ, and can play in all three zones of the ice. A true 200-foot player.
He’s not afraid of getting in the dirty areas to protect his zone, and has a great shot that is deceptive. Nesbitt’s not afraid of being hit in order to make a play on the ice, and his passing ability speaks to that.
Once he’s done filling out and finding his true speed, there’s comparisons being made to Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn.
Nesbitt finished fifth in points on the Spitfires this season with a total of 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 65 games.
6-foot-five, 195 pounds. The former Brandon Wheat Kings center is known for his great hands, and per Adam Kimelman, could be drafted as high as sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers.
«There’s a lot to like about the right-handed center, who has size, a big shot and deft scoring touch to complement an extremely good motor. McQueen could be a steal at this point in the draft. He had 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) despite missing 51 games.»
McQueen’s shot is deadly and can beat goalies on the ice just about anywhere. He’s a capable threat on the power-play, as he utilizes his size and creative skills to score or drive the play.
McQueen’s stock tumbled due to the fact that he only played 17 games due to a back injury and went from sixth OA to possibly tenth. He’s viewed as a project, as a high-risk, high-reward player who is able to draft him.
His play style has ironically been compared to Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach. Let’s hope his injury history doesn’t.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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NHL insider reveals the best center options for the New York Rangers 12th overall Draft Pick this year
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