The hockey world was just stunned with the Toronto Maple Leafs being awarded the first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The New York Rangers, were given the fifth-overall pick, and it should not be looked down upon.
NHL Insider Frank Seravalli released his first five mock draft picks early on Wednesday, and it is utterly ridiculous. If Gavin McKenna, who is the consensus No. 1 pick by just about everyone who reports on hockey, is not taken by Toronto, San Jose is not going to let him walk at No. 2. That would be ludicrous.
But, there is a little bit of a hidden gem in there, that actually makes perfect sense for the Rangers at that No. 5 spot. If this were to come true, the first step of the retool would be complete without having to pay big money at free agency.
A shiny new blue liner to complement Fox
Carson Carels, the left-handed defenseman from the Western Hockey League club, Prince George, is predicted to land with the Blueshirts. This of course, comes after both Keaton Verheoff and Chase Reid are selected with the first four picks.
As it is said in the subhead up there, why complement Fox? Well, if this were to happen, the potential pairing of Fox and Carels would be inevitable. Gavrikov is a solid shutdown defenseman, who just decided to score 14 goals last season. That won't happen again, and it might be better suited for Gavrikov to slide to the second-pairing with a more defensive-prone partner in Braden Schneider.
Carels scored 20 goals and added 53 assists for 73 points for Prince George last season, and was a point-per-game player in the playoffs with a goal and nine assists for 10 points.
He has been described as having the potential for a key leadership role, including a captaincy vote. After what has happened with Jacob Trouba, and now with J.T. Miller, the Rangers desperately need to get the next player to wear the "C", right.
Carels can be that player.
Sure Seravalli might not be too right with his first two selections, but having Carels at the fifth-spot for the Rangers to scoop up is spot on. If this comes to be, the Rangers have got themselves a rock-solid pick, and shouldn't mess this one up.
Key word there, is shouldn't.
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