3 two-way defensemen the NY Rangers must keep their eye on in the 2024 NHL Draft

The NY Rangers 2023-24 season ended in a way none of us wanted to, as the Presidents’ Trophy winners once again fell short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. But this Rangers team isn’t going anywhere, and that could also be the case for a while, thanks to the fact they have some strong prospects and a first-round pick in a defensive-heavy 2024 NHL Draft.  

One of the three prospects on this list who stands out is Aron Kiviharju, a defenseman from Liiga's HIFK. Kiviharju is the type of defenseman who can put up some serious points when healthy, giving him a two-way game that would work wonders for a New York Rangers team in a few years if they drafted him at the end of the month. 

While there is a good chance Kiviharju goes earlier than 30th overall, general manager Chris Drury should have little issues stopping a potential freefall should Kiviharju fall to the Blueshirts. So, what makes Kiviharju such an outstanding two-way blueliner? Keep reading and get to know him and two other prospects Rangers fans should keep an eye on heading into the 2024 NHL Draft.

Who is Aron Kiviharju?

If you looked at Aron Kiviharju’s numbers and knew nothing else about him, you may think he was a forward, especially in international play. Kiviharju finished the 2023-24 season with just two points and one goal in seven games for HIFK, and it came following a fine season that saw him register 20 points and 18 assists in 22 games for TPS in U20 SM-sarja, and he also saw the ice 21 times in Liiga. 

Kiviharju also saw a lot of ice time internationally, and he was easily one of Finland’s best players. One downside is his size, which is currently 5’10, 172 lbs, and that could be one major reason he’s struggled with injuries at times in the past. If he stays healthy during the 2024-25 season and puts his injury issues behind him, Kiviharju will reward an organization once he’s playing pro hockey in North America.