{"id":662648,"date":"2026-05-24T17:33:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T17:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/662648\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T17:33:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T17:33:11","slug":"rangers-best-options-in-rounds-2-3-of-2026-nhl-draft-including-goalies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/662648\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers best options in Rounds 2, 3 of 2026 NHL Draft, including goalies"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York Rangers News<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"avatar\"\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The 2026 NHL Draft<\/a> doesn\u2019t exactly end for the New York Rangers after the first round on June 26, when they have the No. 5 and 26 overall selections. The Rangers will be quite busy on Day 2 of the draft as well, set to make nine selections in Rounds 2-7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Five of those Day 2 picks take place in the second and third rounds. They don\u2019t have their own pick in the second round \u2014 traded away to the (then) Arizona Coyotes as part of an incentive to also take defenseman Patrik Nemeth on July 13, 2022 \u2014 but the Rangers do own the Carolina Hurricanes\u2019 selection at No. 63 as part of the K\u2019Andre Miller trade<\/a> last summer.<\/p>\n

In the third round, the Rangers are scheduled to be on the board four times \u2014 with their own pick at No. 67, and then with those acquired from the Islanders (No. 77, in the Carson Soucy trade<\/a>), Los Angeles Kings (No. 81, in the Artemi Panarin trade<\/a>), and Buffalo Sabres (No. 92, in the Sam Carrick trade).<\/p>\n

The Rangers also have one pick each in the fifth and seventh rounds, and two in the sixth round. But for now, let\u2019s focus on analyzing some of the better options in rounds 2-3, where they are likely to lean on a best\u2011player\u2011available approach.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that positional need still matters, even after the first round, and no needs are bigger in the Rangers organization than defense and center.<\/p>\n

Rangers best options with the No. 63 & 67 picks<\/p>\n

Ethan McKenzie \u2014 Edmonton (WHL) A left\u2011shot, offense\u2011driven defenseman, McKenzie posted 22\u201136\u201158 last season. At 6-feet tall, he skates well and pushes play. He\u2019s committed to North Dakota, a program known for tightening up defensive details.<\/p>\n

Rudolfs Berzkalns \u2014 Muskegon (USHL) Don\u2019t let the modest scoring totals (25 points; 13 goals, 12 assists) fool you. At 6\u2011foot\u20114 and 203 pounds, Berzkalns is a strong, physical center who wins battles and creates space. The native of Latvia is headed to Boston College, giving him a long runway of Hockey East development.<\/p>\n

Charlie Morrison \u2014 Quebec (QMJHL) A 6\u2011foot\u20113 left\u2011shot defenseman and classic late bloomer, Morrison is steady in his own zone and his offensive game is catching up. The 18-year-old had 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 QMJHL games this season, and will play at UConn next season.<\/p>\n

max clients of the day:<\/p>\n

1) Macklin Celebrini Ted Lindsay Award finalist
2) Carter Sanderson 1G 1A 2SOG +3 1st\u2b50\ufe0f
3) Rudolfs Berzkalns 1G 3SOG
4) Rasmus Dahlin 1G 3SOG 3rd\u2b50\ufe0f
5) Kashawn Aitcheson 1A 2SOG
6) Cole Beaudoin 1A 3SOG pic.twitter.com\/6OFj5vmd4R<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 max (verstappen) \u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f\u2b50\ufe0f (@vershtoppaan) April 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Rangers best options with the No. 77, 81 & 92 picks<\/p>\n

Luke Schairer \u2014 USNTDP A 6\u2011foot\u20113 right\u2011shot defenseman with strong skating and puck\u2011moving ability. Many outlets rank him higher than this range. His defensive reads and hockey IQ stand out. He\u2019s committed to Boston University.<\/p>\n

Brady Knowling \u2014 USNTDP The top goalie in the draft class by many projections. At 6\u2011foot\u20115, Knowling has size, poise and excellent positional discipline. He\u2019s also BU\u2011bound. If he slips to the third round, it would be surprising.<\/p>\n

Filip Ruzicka \u2014 Brandon (WHL) A 6\u2011foot\u20118, 230\u2011pound Czech goaltender who came to Brandon, seized the starting job and never let go. Despite his size, he moves well and adapts quickly. Raw, but with major upside.<\/p>\n

Mikey Berchild \u2014 USNTDP At 5\u2011foot\u201110, Berchild plays far bigger than his frame. The attacks the puck, wins battles, drives play, and scored 23 goals this season. He\u2019s headed to Denver. If he were a few inches taller, he\u2019d be a top\u2011five pick.<\/p>\n

Blake Zielinski \u2014 Des Moines (USHL) Winner of the USHL\u2019s Gaudreau Award for character, Zielinski is smart playmaker with soft hands and strong instincts. The forward will play at Providence next season. A strong value pick in this range.<\/p>\n

Jonah Sivertson \u2014 Prince Albert (WHL) A skilled, offense\u2011minded forward with excellent vision. He\u2019s committed to St. Cloud State. A low\u2011risk, high\u2011reward type who rarely makes mistakes and reads situations well.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"avatar\"<\/p>\n

\t\tJess Rubenstein is a longtime New York Rangers prospect analyst, who\u2019s covered their future talent since 2004. A graduate … More about Jess Rubenstein<\/a><\/p>\n

Add Forever Blueshirts as a Preferred Source on Google.\"Add<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t