Round one of the 2025 NHL Draft if finally over.
The New York Rangers did not have a pick and did not make any trades. Despite rumors of a trade lying in wait, defenseman K’Andre Miller remains put for now. So, all eyes turn to the start of the second round with the Rangers having the No. 43 pick.
Here's a list of three names President and General Manager Chris Drury could be looking at.
3. Maceo Phillips
Entering the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers have a very clear need for defensemen, but specifically a big, strong and physical defenseman.
Ranked 49th on NHL.com’s prospect rankings for North American skaters, Phillips is a strong, physical defenseman who skates well and has the potential to be a quality shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.
He’s 6’6”, shoots left and already weighs 234 pounds.
Additionally, Phillips can be categorized as more of a true shutdown defenseman — perfect for what the Rangers are currently lacking on their roster.
The Minnesota native features an incredibly large range that does both a great job against the rush as well as tight gaps. He also has a large reach which he uses to disrupt the opposition which forces mistakes on opponents all while ensuring his goaltender isn't screened in front.
In 2023-24, Phillips 51 games for the U17 squad with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP). He racked up 103 penalty minutes in 53 games. Most recently he was selected by the Green Bay Gamblers as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 USHL Entry Draft.
Now — given his resume, size and skill level Phillips is expected to go somewhere in the third to fifth round, and he’s the kind of player worth taking a chance on because of his size and physical game. But, the Rangers could always pull off a surprise like Nashville did with Brady Martin (No. 5) and take him at No. 43
2. Eric Nilson
The Rangers also have a very clear need for a younger center to add to the roster.
Eric Nilson is a 6-foot, 165-pound right-shot center from Calgary, Alberta. And although he recently turned 18-years-old, he's not to be counted out.
Nilson most recently spent this past year with Djurgardens IF in the Swedish J20 National League and contributed 12 goals and 26 assists in 37 regular season games. In the postseason, Nilson scored six goals with seven assists in nine games.
The 6'0" player is ranked by some hockey evaluators in the top 40 in scouting reports, with some even ranking him within the top 50 of the upcoming NHL Draft, and a late first-round to early second-round selection as center. So, going at pick No. 43 is within reason.
Due to a strong hockey IQ, Nilson always seems to be in the right place on the ice and is capable of playing at center or wing.
Eric committed to Michigan State in May 2025 and instantly gives whatever franchise picks him a cerebral, high-motor two-way weapon.
1. Simon Wang
Left-handed defenseman Simon Wang, also known as Haoxi Wang, is committed to BU for the 2026-27 season, as well, after playing for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League last season.
In his first game action in North America, Wang played 33 games with the Rangers’ U16 squad, putting up three goals and seven total points. The following season, Wang graduated to the Ontario Junior Hockey League level, where he played for the Brantford 99ers. In 28 games that season, Wang didn’t score a goal but did post seven assists.
With Chris Drury, first-year Head Coach Mike Sullivan and assistant coaches David Quinn and Joe Sacco all alums, it would make sense for the Rangers to snatch up another Boston alum.
According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, scouting reports highlight his transition game and skating ability.
A native of Beijing, China, he is listed at 6’6”, 209 pounds and could bring the size the Rangers need to the roster just like Phillips.
He most recently played for the King Rebellion of the OJHL, notching four goals and 22 points in 38 games.
New York's updated draft order is now as follows — No. 43 pick in the second round, No. 70 pick in the third round, No. 89 in the third round which was acquired in the Chris Kreider trade, No. 111 in the fourth, No. 139 in the fifth, Nos. 166 and 171 in the sixth, and — finally — No. 203 in the seventh round.
Rounds 2-7 take place on June 28 (Noon ET; NHLN, ESPN+, SN, SN1).