Jaroslav Chmelař has looked like the real deal and that bodes well for the Rangers

The New York Rangers' 2025-26 season is winding down, and while the year featured plenty of frustrating moments, fans should take solace in bright spots like Jaroslav Chmelař. Though he has appeared in just 26 games—mostly logging bottom-six minutes—there is a lot to like about his game and what he offers the organization going forward.

A physical presence with surprising offensive touch

The first thing to understand about Chmelař is that he was never projected as a high-end offensive producer. He's 6'4", 226 pounds, and plays with tenacity when it comes to throwing the body. That alone can help him carve out a nice career for himself, but he's striving for more than that. The fact that he’s played this well at the NHL level is a testament to his development. While four goals and two assists in 26 games won't win a Calder Trophy, it carries weight when you consider his trajectory. After posting 25 points in 46 games for Hartford this year, he was already trending toward a career-best professional season before his March recall.

The elephant in the room is his 18.2% shooting percentage while averaging just 8:56 of ice time. These are small samples that shouldn't be used to project a 30-goal pace, but his underlying metrics suggest he isn't just getting lucky.

According to Evolving-Hockey, Chmelař has logged 229 minutes at 5v5 with a 49.71 CF% and a massive 55.84 xGF%. Essentially, when Chmelař is on the ice, the Rangers possess the puck and generate high-quality chances. The fact that his actual GF% (42.91) trails his expected numbers is likely a byproduct of playing on a revolving-door fourth line with limited finishers.

The Rangers could already have their 2026-27 fourth line

Recently, Mike Sullivan has experimented with a trio featuring Adam Sýkora and Noah Laba alongside Chmelař. It’s a line defined by speed, spark, and an infectious attitude. In their 46 minutes together at 5v5, the trio has posted a 65.65 GF% and a 50.45 CF%.

While it’s an admittedly small sample, the eye test matches the data: this group hunts pucks in a way that fits the Sullivan system perfectly.

A pivotal offseason audition

There is bound to be a bevy of moves this summer that change the makeup of the roster, but there’s every reason to give this trio a chance to win jobs outright in training camp. Laba’s strong campaign likely has him penciled in for a spot, Chmelař has made a stellar initial impression, and Sýkora remains a high-upside pest that plays with such joy and tenacity that it uplifts the spirit of the group.

It would be wise for Sullivan to give this group "extra" looks over the final two games in Florida. Every bit of information the Rangers can gather on their youth is crucial heading into what is set to be a busy and pivotal offseason.