Why Jackson Smith, Logan Hensler are defenseman Rangers may consider with No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft

If the New York Rangers wish to select a defenseman with the No. 12 overall pick in the NHL Draft, they’ll have plenty of solid choices. Though projected No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer will be long gone by time the Rangers make their first-round choice, many believe that they’ll have interest in Kashawn Aitcheson or Radim Mrtka.

The Rangers could pivot, though, especially if they seek more of a puck-moving defenseman. That’s where junior standout Jackson Smith and NCAA product Logan Hensler fit in.

Each is relatively similar in size and mobility and could be intriguing options for the Rangers.

Let’s check out their similarities and differences.

Jackson Smith

Tri-City Americans: 6-foot 3, 194 pounds

NHL.com Analysis from Adam Kimelman:

“The left-shot defenseman has NHL-ready size (6-3, 195), skates well enough to be a one-man breakout and can make a smart first pass out of the zone. Smith, who turned 18 on May 13, had 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games this season.”

The best way to describe Smith is smooth. He’s a great skater that quickly and effortlessly can turn it up the ice with and without the puck. His first step is pretty insane, and he can get from one zone to the other in very few strides. If the space isn’t there, it doesn’t take him really any effort to create it for himself.

Smith also has great hands and vision to match his skating ability. He isn’t afraid to break the puck out himself, gain the zone, skate right into traffic and find the open man. His hands are subtly elite, and he has the ability to simply take opponents on 1-on-1. Of course, he’ll have to pick his battles at the next levels.

While he hasn’t scored a lot of goals, Smith has a great shot from the point that generally creates a rebound for his forwards to crash the net and put home. He’s comfortable on both sides of the ice, where a lefty playing on the right point can get a heavy one-timer off without hesitation. Again, something the Rangers don’t really have on the back end. If anything, Smith should shoot more.

He has a little bit of bite where he’ll throw the hit here and there. But Smith really relies on his skating ability to play the defensive side of the puck. He’s not a liability defensively, but where he’ll shine is offensively.

The Tri-City uniforms are pretty similar to the Columbus Blue Jackets, so can’t help but see Zach Werenski in Smith’s game. Smith has the size, speed, the hands and simply all the tools to take over the ice on his shifts without expending much energy. He should be a solid top-pair defenseman for whoever selects him in the upcoming draft.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 2-3 years

Logan Hensler

Wisconsin Badgers: 6-foot-2, 192 pounds

Sportsnet analysis from Sam Cosentino:

“Started to figure things out in the second half of the NCAA season, where playing defense as a freshman is a tall order. Hensler gets around the ice smoothly and efficiently and he passes it like a pro. He engages defensively and can be a threat supporting the rush as well.”

While his stats (12 points; two goals, 10 assists in 32 games) don’t pop off the page, Hensler was second in scoring by NCAA freshman defensemen, behind only Cole Hutson. And he was tied for second in scoring among Wisconsin defensemen. The big difference compared to Smith is Hensler’s confidence with the puck. Though he has the attributes to be more of a threat offensively, Hensler tends to play it safe. Right now, Smith leads the rush, and Hensler supports it.

That’s not a bad thing, but his growth in confidence will ultimately dictate whether he becomes like another mid-first round pick in Charlie McAvoy, or be more like a Sean Durzi or John Marino. All serviceable right handed defensemen most teams will take. If he can be more assertive with his size and skill set, he could be a very stable and reliable defenseman.

Hensler’s skating and defensive play are strengths of his game, while his physicality and shooting can use some work. Could use his body more than his active stick and legs to keep opponents at bay, too. He would be a normal project but the pedigree is there.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 3-4 years

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Why Jackson Smith, Logan Hensler are defenseman Rangers may consider with No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft

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