3 Rangers Breakout Candidates in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but they added a few key players this offseason, and they got strong play from many of their young forwards last season, especially after the Olympic break. Three players who showed promise down the stretch and could break out this season are Gabe Perreault, Noah Laba, and Adam Sykora.

Gabe Perreault

The Rangers drafted Perreault in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and after two excellent seasons at Boston College, he became the team’s top prospect. He made his NHL debut at just 19 years old in 2024-25 but was held without a point in five games. He spent some time this season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) but earned consistent ice time with New York after he was called up in December.

Perreault got an opportunity to play on the Rangers’ top line with Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere, and he showed great vision and playmaking ability. He looked to hold on to the puck and set up teammates both at even strength and on the power play, and he also has a quick, accurate wrist shot. He had a hat trick in a 4-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on April 4 and finished the season with 12 goals and 15 assists in 49 games, including three goals and three assists on the power play.

Though the Rangers added a very talented winger in Pavel Dorofeyev, Perreault should continue to play in the top six and get opportunities on the power play this season. It took him some time to get into a rhythm last season, but once he adjusted, he produced offensively and made smart plays with and without the puck. If he can play at the level he did late last season and stay healthy, 60 points is a realistic possibility in 2026-27.

Noah Laba

The Rangers drafted Laba in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and he spent the next three seasons playing for Colorado College. He made the jump to play professionally and had three goals and two assists in 11 games with the Wolf Pack in 2024-25. After a strong training camp last offseason, he earned a spot in the lineup and became New York’s third-line center and a key penalty killer.

Though Laba went through some slumps offensively, his overall play was steady throughout last season. At 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, he is a good skater and used his speed to get in on the forecheck, and he drove to the front of the net. He was strong defensively and used his reach to get into shooting and passing lanes. He finished the season with nine goals, 15 assists and 110 hits in 74 games while winning 50.8 percent of his faceoffs.

This season, Laba should continue to play a key role defensively both on the penalty kill and as the Rangers’ third line center. He has the size and strength to get positioning in front of the net, and he has the potential to build on his strong rookie season and produce more offensively this season. He also could move into the top six if Zibanejad or J.T. Miller miss time.

Adam Sykora

The Rangers drafted Sykora late in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and he spent the majority of the previous three seasons with the Wolf Pack. The winger had eight goals and 15 assists in 66 games in 2023-24, nine goals and 21 assists in 71 games in 2024-25, and 12 goals and 17 assists in 62 games last season.

Sykora earned a call-up to the NHL late last season, and he made the most of his opportunity as a bottom-six forward. He played with energy, got in on the forecheck, never passed up an opportunity to throw a hit, and battled to get in front of the net. He finished with three goals, one assist, 20 hits, and 10 blocked shots in 11 games.

Though he only played in 11 games, Sykora immediately helped the Rangers, and he could become a key contributor as a bottom-six forward once again this season. While he is known for his energy and grit, he also showed he could chip in offensively and is capable of scoring on deflections and rebounds. He has a chance to earn consistent playing time this season if he picks up where he left off last season.

The Rangers Need Their Young Forwards to Play Well

After trading Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings last season and Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth this offseason, the Rangers will need their young forwards to play well this season. Perreault, Laba, and Sykora can all be key contributors, and they can help the team bounce back after finishing with the worst record in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26.