The 2022 NHL entry draft was an eventful one for the New York Rangers bringing in six new selections. The team selecting three centers, two wingers, and a defenseman with their picks.
Adam Sykora
Adam Sykora (5’10 – 172 lbs) from Nitra, Slovakia was the Ranger’s first pick, being chosen 63rd overall in the second round, and made a great first impression with the media. He had a grin from ear-to-ear thrilled to be chosen by the Rangers. When asked for the player he models his game after, Sykora said, “I really like Brad Marchand because he’s a rat and he’s not scared of [bigger players], I try to play that way.”
Sykora, 17, recorded 10 goals and 17 points in 46 games with Nitra. The forward added two goals in five games for Slovakia at the 2021-22 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He describes himself as a high-energy player that doesn’t hold back against opponents. He demonstrates good speed, physical strength, and some scoring ability.
Bryce McConnell-Barker
Via the Alexander Georgiev trade to Colorado, the Rangers gained Bryce McConnell-Barker (6’1 – 194 lbs) 97th overall in the third round. McConnell-Barker, 18, from Soo Greyhounds, Ontario Hockey League (OHL), picked up 23 goals and 49 points in 68 games in the OHL. He added another 5 points in 10 playoff contests. The Rangers get a big kid who plays both sides of the puck well and looks to Patrice Bergeron as a model for his game. “I’m a two-way centerman and I work really hard all over the ice,” McConnell-Barker said, “I am good defensively but I can produce offensively by putting the puck in the net and making some plays too.”
Noah Laba
Via the Brett Howden trade to Vegas, the Rangers received Noah Laba (6’1 – 181 lbs) 111th overall in round four from Lincoln Stars, United States Hockey League (USHL). Laba, 18, is committed to play at Colgate University after registering 39 points in 50 games with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. The scouting reports have him as a power-forward that’s difficult to play against.
Vittorio Mancini
Drafted in the fifth round 159th overall the Rangers acquired defender Vittorio Mancini (6’3 – 215 lbs) from Omaha, Nebraska NCAA. Mancini, 20, played 38 games in the NCAA picking up 5 points and also spent time with Frolunda in Sweden. “He’s a player that when I was in Toronto we watched and liked,” Director of Scouting John Lilley said. “He’s a good defensive minded player that’s big. A high character young man.”
Maxim Barbashev
Also via the Georgiev trade to Colorado, the Rangers drafted Maxim Barbashev (6’1 – 183 lbs) 161st overall in round five from the Moncton Wildcats, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Barbashev, 18, is the younger brother of the Blues’ Ivan Barbashev. This past season, he notched 42 points in 59 games with the Wildcats. The Rangers are getting another physical forward that can put pucks on net “It’s my brother because we play the same hockey,” Maxim answered a question on who he models his game after. “I am physical player that’s strong on the puck.”
Zakary Karpa
Lastly, the Rangers drafted Zakary Karpa (6’2 – 188 lbs) 191st overall in round six from Harvard University, NCAA. Karpa, 20, is the son of former Ranger Dave Karpa. This past season he registered 12 points in 33 contests. Karpa is yet another physical forward that isn’t afraid to mix it up.
Through these picks, the Rangers have a solid center line and have plenty of power forwards and steady defensemen to shake things up. When these draft picks emerge in the following seasons, the Rangers will have a steadily growing advantage against top class NHL teams.
