New York Rangers Let Future Star Slip Away at 2025 NHL Draft
The New York Rangers had an opportunity to take a risk at the 2025 NHL Draft, but they chose not to. A standout prospect, who many believed would be taken earlier, was still available at No. 89 overall. Yet, the Rangers passed on him and instead selected a project defenseman who wasn’t highly ranked by top analysts. If you trust the Dallas Stars’ scouting and development system, this might be a move Chris Drury will come to regret.
The 2025 NHL Draft took place over the weekend, with 224 players from 15 countries selected. The Rangers made eight picks (five defensemen, two wingers, and one center), and it seems they focused on adding size to their prospect pool. For example, defenseman Sean Barnhill (6’6″, 214 lbs.) was picked at No. 70 overall. This focus on size might explain why the Rangers passed on a speedy forward later in the draft.
In the third round, the Rangers selected Artyom Gonchar, a 6’0″, 157 lb. defenseman from the MHL, at No. 89 overall. This pick was puzzling, especially given the talented forwards still available at the time. Gonchar had a mixed ranking, from 128th to 238th overall, and wasn’t listed among the top prospects by some analysts. His best ranking was 11th among European skaters on NHL Central Scouting’s list.
The player the Rangers overlooked? Cameron Schmidt—a highly skilled, fast-skating forward who was eventually taken 94th overall by the Dallas Stars. Schmidt was ranked as high as 32nd by Elite Prospects, and his range on other expert lists varied from 19th to 58th. At No. 89, he would have been an exceptional value pick.
Schmidt, standing at 5’8″ and weighing 161 lbs., had a standout 2024-25 season with the Vancouver Giants in the WHL, posting 40 goals and 38 assists in 61 games—a 20-point improvement over the previous season. His speed and skill would have immediately made him the fastest skater in the Rangers’ system, filling a gap the team has struggled with in recent years.
While Schmidt’s size may have worked against him in the Rangers’ eyes, it’s no surprise the Stars grabbed him. Schmidt’s game shares similarities with Logan Stankoven, another player the Stars have developed well. His explosive skating, shooting ability, and skill off the rush make him a promising prospect. His hands are exceptional, especially when navigating tight spaces near the net.
It’s easy to think, “Why fault the Rangers for passing on Schmidt when other teams did the same?” However, by this point in the draft, Schmidt was a player that experts were excited about. With Gonchar already selected as a defenseman, why not take a risk on a player with a high upside like Schmidt? If they truly wanted him, they could’ve taken him at No. 111 instead.
Schmidt’s potential reminds me of Brayden Point—a smaller player with tremendous skill and speed, who became a star in the NHL. Even if Schmidt’s scoring doesn’t fully translate to the NHL, his speed and skating ability are invaluable in today’s game.
The Rangers have historically built their roster through trades and free agency, and while they’ve had success with players like Igor Shesterkin, J.T. Miller, and Alexis Lafrenière, they have yet to hit on many top-tier draft picks. Instead of just going for the “safe” picks, they should consider taking more risks on high-upside players like Schmidt. Even if they only hit on one out of several, it could be a game-changer.
Only time will tell if the Rangers made a mistake by passing on Schmidt. Gonchar may turn into a solid defenseman, and I could end up being wrong. However, Dallas has had a strong track record at the draft, and their selection of Schmidt with their first pick speaks volumes.
Looking back at this draft, it appears the Rangers didn’t take many risks, and most of their picks are unlikely to impact the team in the near future. That’s understandable given the team’s current win-now mentality, but if this season doesn’t pan out, they’ll likely need to revisit their strategy and make bigger changes moving forward.
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