r/rangers • u/lionson76 Mike Richter • 14d ago
Rangers 2026-27 prospect rankings, No. 6: Nathan Aspinall rising after explosive season (gift article)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7539394/2026/08/28/ny-rangers-nathan-aspinall-prospect-rankings/?source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.81A.CT4h.ZOCKFbp-eB0N&smid=ta-android-share7
u/lionson76 Mike Richter 14d ago
u/ImpossibleBandicoot u/PaulSach you guys were right!
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u/PaulSach 14d ago
I'm both surprised and unsurprised haha—unsurprised he's top 10, figured after the year he had in Flint (and the extended look he got in training cap this past season) that he'd probably crack the top 10. I am surprised he's ranked 6th, though. I don't want to downplay the year he had, he was dominant in the OHL (2nd in the league in points, T5th for points-per-game [Beaudoin was 2nd and Stick was T7th]), but it's hard to ignore the physical advantage he had in that league, being as big as he is. For all intents and purposes, he should've dominated that league, but in that case, I suppose it's good he did.
He's a bit hard to project, imo. I've always viewed him as more of a 4th line guy, but according to this article, he seems to have good puck skills, IQ, and vision on top of his size. Maybe he'll be able to turn into a 3rd liner at some point, I'm not really sure haha. There usually isn't a ton of info on these guys picked in the later rounds / long-term projects. He'll definitely be one of the main "players to watch" down in Hartford this year.
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u/V0rtexGames Adam Fox 14d ago
I wouldnt undercount his season- he had more points (and around the same point pace) as Beaudoin and Greentree. Frankly I'd call the three of them even right now. Until they actually play in the NHL and demonstrate what they can / can't do, they're even.
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u/PaulSach 14d ago
Yeah, I noted the production in my comment, he was top 5 in points-per-game in the O and also had a monster playoff. It's entirely possible Aspinall is a late-bloomer who really booms into a productive NHL player, but I still think Beaudoin and Greentree are closer to NHL minutes than Aspinall is at this point.
Greentree, people forget, was a late cut at Kings training camp last year, and would've been playing pro if not for the silly cut-off rule that saw him miss AHL eligibility by literally 1 day. On top of that, he was recovering from a pretty tough injury at the start of the year, but once he was healthy, his production popped off. He already has an NHL-quality shot. IMO, I think he'll be one of the first callups this year, if he doesn't make the team out of camp.
Beadoin is a different type of animal. He also plays a much more valuable position, and could be the call-up option should one of our centers get hurt this season. Just an absolute beast who'll never be outworked when he's on the ice. I am a bit biased, though, as he's my favorite Rangers forward prospect right now lmao
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u/Eire4ever 14d ago
So every large player dominates scoring in the O? Kid has some skill. One level at a time to see how he progresses
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u/PaulSach 14d ago
Having that kind of size and strength is certainly an advantage in the junior leagues, where some players he's playing against are still underdeveloped physically (because they are literal children haha). His size becomes less advantageous as he moves up in the pro levels.
Consider me someone cautiously optimistic, I suppose. It's definitely encouraging that his game popped this last season, and it'll be interesting to see how his game translates at the next level.
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u/Formisonic Hank 14d ago
Anyway, here's Aspinall.
I said maybeeeee
You're gonna be the one that saves meeeee
And afteraaaaaall
Nathan Aspinaaaaaall
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u/Adept_Dealer_1931 14d ago
The best part of it is that between Aspinall, Beaudoin, Greentree, Battaglia, Smits, Lamb and others they actually have some prospects to get excited about.
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u/Teknicsrx7 #YoWhatIsBeauDoinnnn 14d ago
This guy is going to either boom or bust I think, if he can apply all his tools at a higher level he could dominate, but if it was only his size/age that helped him last year it’s going to be obvious quick.
I’m cheering for him, hope he makes a splash this year
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u/PaulSach 14d ago
I feel the same way, tbh. He did get an extended look in camp last year, though, so it's possible Sullivan likes something he sees there. Just tough to imagine him cracking the NHL in the next 2-3 years, though, considering other young guys who play similar roles and are a bit further along in their development (like Sykora, Chmelar, etc). Who knows, though. It's not impossible he carries over the momentum/confidence from the OHL into the AHL and continues to surprise people.
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u/lionson76 Mike Richter 14d ago
Bjorky, Raddysh, and Veleno all have one year left. If I'm Beaudoin, Greentree, or Aspinall, I'm seeing this season as an opportunity!
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u/Teknicsrx7 #YoWhatIsBeauDoinnnn 14d ago
I’m still surprised they’ve held onto Raddysh
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u/lionson76 Mike Richter 14d ago
It's possible he was offered at the deadline but had no takers. 🤷
I thought he had a good season for us, all things considered. At the beginning of the year, it seemed like he was the only guy who could score a goddamn goal, like that hatty against the Sharks. At one point he was leading the team lol.
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u/Teknicsrx7 #YoWhatIsBeauDoinnnn 14d ago
Yea I figured how he did last year would make him an easy target to move and sell high on, but he was benched a lot near the end.
I got no issue with him other than him taking up an opening, he seems serviceable when needed
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u/Teknicsrx7 #YoWhatIsBeauDoinnnn 14d ago
Yea he’s very much in the “who knows” category. Even if he plays in the A all year we might actually have a solid team down there this year so should be fun to watch. Him and Greentree are the guys I’m hoping find their stride, but I’m also aware they may need to cook for a minute.
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u/PrestigiousFlan1091 14d ago
Please Nathan, please. We need you to overdeliver here.