New York Rangers prospect rankings: Centers

With Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, Filip Chytil and now Sam Carrick down the middle, the New York Rangers are set at the center position for the next several years. Jonny Brodzinski and perhaps even Matt Rempe provide NHL depth at the position.

The prospect pool behind the NHL regulars is thinner at center throughout the Rangers organization, though there are some intriguing young options at the pro, collegiate and junior levels.

Let’s take a look.

Related: New York Rangers prospect rankings: Defensemen

Ranking New York Rangers center prospects

1. Bryce McConnel-Barker

A 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of London, Ontario, Bryce McConnell-Barker was drafted by the Rangers in the third round (No. 97 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Over the course of his 188-game OHL career, he scored 75 goals and added 102 assists for 177 points. Though an injury kept him on the sidelines for 14 games last season, McConnell-Barker had another impressive campaign with the Soo Greyhounds while serving as captain in 2023-24, finishing with 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points in 52 regular-season games. He finished third on the club in points, tied for third in goals, and fifth in assists. McConnell-Barker added another five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 11 OHL playoff games, making him the second-highest scorer on the Greyhounds during their postseason run.

His biggest asset is his supporting game, as he understands the shutdown role with the necessity to balance pressure with sound positioning to remove his opponent’s options while limiting time spent in his own defensive zone.

McConnell-Barker dipped his toes into the pro game, playing four games in the Calder Cup Playoffs with the Hartford Wolf Pack this past spring and is expected to play his first full American Hockey League season there in 2024-25.

2. Noah Laba

An argument can be made for Noah Laba to be ranked as the top center prospect in the Rangers organization following a breakout sophomore season with Colorado College, where he scored 20 goals and added 17 assists for 37 points in 36 games. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound center was regularly featured on the top line for the Tigers, and had 362 face-off wins in 634 draws taken for a terrific 57 percent winning percentage.

A 2022 fourth-round selection, Laba earned 2024 Second-Team All-American honors and was also named the NCHC Defensive Player of the Year and winner of Three Stars Award. Despite a strong push by the Rangers to sign Laba to an entry-level contract in the spring, the 20-year-old elected to return to Colorado College for his junior season.

“They wanted me there and in a way, obviously I want to move on and be there too but I just felt like my time here at CC wasn’t done, there’s more for me to do, more for me and the team to accomplish,” Laba said . “That went into the decision and I’m really happy with it and they (the Rangers) obviously fully supported my decision.”

Expectations will be high for the Tigers, who had their best season since 2010-11 with 21 wins, though they fell just short of qualifying for the NCAA tournament. But that isn’t something Laba is worried about.

“I think we gotta look at it as not pressure but an opportunity. We’re not worried about what happened last year or the year before, it’s a whole other team and we’re going to treat it as such and we’re going to prepare for each game like we have the past few years,” Laba explained. “We’re going to work for the result. Obviously, it’s the process that matters so just sticking to that is important.”

Related: New York Rangers prospect rankings: Goalies

3. Ryder Korczak

Ryder Korczak – credit Hartford Wolf Pack

Appearing in 67 regular-season games with the Wolf Pack last season, 2021 third-rounder Ryder Korczak is poised to increase his offensive production in 2024-25 after scoring nine goals with 11 assists before adding one goal and one assist in 10 AHL playoff games.

The 5-foot-11, 172 pound right-shot center has one year remaining on his entry-level contract and will need to continue to add strength and hone his game during that period of time. The 21-year-old is a shifty offensive threat with good vision and passing ability, though will want to add a bit more explosiveness to his stride. Korczak could to try to force his name into the mix for a look as a call-up option in New York as early as next season.

4. Dylan Roobroeck

Dylan Roobroeck – credit Hartford Wolf Pack

A sixth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Dylan Roobroeck is a massive 6-foot-7 forward with offensive skill and some grit to his game. He scored 26 goals and had 46 assists for 72 points in 68 regular-season games in 2023-24 for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. He ranked second in points and third in assists on the team and also had 101 penalty minutes and a plus-23 rating. During the OHL playoffs, Roobroeck had a team-high 11 goals, along with 15 assists for 26 points in 21 games.

The London, Ontario native has played three seasons in the OHL, split between the Generals and Niagara IceDogs, accumulating 146 points (46 goals, 97 assists) in 200 regular-season games.

Late last season, he signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers and appeared in one Calder Cup Playoff game with Hartford.

Roobroeck is an excellent playmaker and possesses high-end vision. Differentiating him from Matt Rempe, Dylan Roobroeck focuses on the offensive side of his game a lot more than his physical side. Drafted as a center, Roobroeck may be shifted to wing as he adjusts to the professional ranks, and his game should translate seamlessly at the AHL level, especially if he starts in the bottom-six. There will be some more adapting for pace of the game, but his playmaking vision, smarts, and physical strength should be projectable assets at the next level.

5. Zakary Karpa

The Rangers hold the signing rights of their 2022 sixth-round pick Zakary Karpa until August 15, 2025. Karpa served as captain at Harvard University during his junior year last season, scoring four goals and adding four assists for eight points in 31 games. One of the strengths of his game is at the dots, where Karpa won 299 of 576 face-offs for a 51.9 winning percentage. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-shot center could provide solid depth for Hartford if signed once his collegiate career comes to an end.

6. Raoul Boilard

The Rangers moved up in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, acquiring the No. 119 overall pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for their own fourth rounder (No. 127) and a seventh-round selection in the 2026 draft.

With that pick at No. 119, the Rangers selected Raoul Boilard, a two-way center from the QMJHL. The 18-year-old left shot scored 22 goals and finished with 62 points in 68 games with Baie-Comeau this past season, leading QMJHL rookies in scoring.

“It means a lot (that the Rangers traded up to make this pick),” Boilard said at the draft . “That means they like me, so that’s good. A good organization that likes me, it’s a good sign.”

New York’s director of player personnel and amateur scouting John Lilley said once the draft was over that there’s good reason why the Rangers moved up to grab Boilard.

“He has skill, had a good season his first year in then Quebec League. Just a smart two-way forward that’s a natural centerman, had a good season, just under a point a game … just someone we really valued,” Lilley explained. “

Boilard will continue to skate with Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the QMJHL for the 2024-25 season. The Rangers hold his NHL signing rights until June 1, 2026.

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