The New York Rangers have established a need for a defenseman at the fifth overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. With just a few more weeks until that special night for one special young man, there have been so many names thrown around as to who will man the blueline for the Blueshirts next season.
But, what if we all took a hard left turn and see where it takes us? Maybe Rangers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris Drury does not take a blueliner and goes for a winger instead.
Enter Ethan Belchetz, who many have touted as a truly dynamic prospect. Let's talk about it.
The next Chris Kreider?
The power forward position is still alive, but waning in recent years. Especially with this younger crowd of players, like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, who are transcending the game with dazzling moves with the puck and absurd shooting power. The rough-and-tough, clean up the garbage in front of the net players are not as high up on the draft board anymore.
But there is Belchetz, who has been described as a "wrecking ball" with his playstyle. Fast, reckless, and pressure are in the young prospect's blood, and that was evident in his time with Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.
Rangers fans should be very happy with that sentiment, as that kind of player has been sorely missing since Chris Kreider was moved to Anaheim. If Belchetz can be half of what Kreider was in his prime, but a tad bit more consistent, the Rangers might hit a home run with this one.
Worth it to pass up on a generational D-man?
But this is where things get a bit difficult. In order to take Belchetz, that means that the Rangers are willing to give up on either Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, or Carson Carels to man their defensive core for the next decade or more. Adam Fox doesn't finally get his comparable partner, whether it being one of those names when matured or Vladislav Gavrikov.
Belchetz is going to be a great NHLer, but missing out on a great defenseman is too much. Unfortunately, the power-forward will not be available at No. 26, so it will be now or never.
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