The New York Rangers overhauled their roster this offseason in an effort to help them contend for the playoffs again after missing out the past two years. Some of their new additions included wingers Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand, and defensemen Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson. They also moved on from the likes of Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck to help bolster their prospect pipeline, which has been under scrutiny the past year.
One of the prospects the Rangers got in return this year was Liam Greentree, the 2024 first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings. With Panarin expressing that he would only accept a trade to the Kings, it did limit to what the Rangers could get as a return. Greentree presented himself as the premier prize in the Panarin trade, as he does carry some upside. He showcased incredible production the past two seasons in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires. The hope is that at some point, Greentree can be a factor in the team's plans soon.
The Athletic's Peter Baugh went through potential options for the top two lines entering next season from most likely to least likely. One scenario Baugh had as a wild card was Greentree being on the right wing on the second line alongside J.T. Miller and Gabe Perreault. But Baugh adds the caveat that it may happen late in the season if the Rangers find themselves out of the playoff picture.
Liam Greentree cracking the Rangers' Top 6 would be great scenario
"Should the Rangers count on him being ready for top-six minutes this season? Absolutely not. Would they welcome him — or another prospect, be it Cole Beaudoin or Adam Sýkora — proving himself as ready to play up the lineup? Absolutely," writes Baugh.
it would certainly be incredible if one of the team's top prospects were to crack the roster out of training camp. It's unknown if the forward group will be able to do so. It's more likely that an Alberts Smits makes the opening night roster. But a forward could crack the roster if they truly leave a lasting impression on head coach Mike Sullivan.
Greentree is expected to factor in as one of their top forwards of the future. When looking at his production in the AHL, it's difficult for Rangers fans not to be excited. During the 2024-25 campaign with Windsor, Greentree recorded 49 goals, 70 assists, and a plus-55 plus/minus rating through 64 games. That is an insane level of production for Greentree. This past season, his numbers did trail off, as Baugh brings up that his teammate and Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas. In 52 games, Greentree recorded 38 goals, 36 assists, and a plus-19 plus/minus rating.
Those are impressive numbers for any prospect. The hope is that this production can transition over to the pros.
Rangers' need for Top 6 forward help could open door for Liam Greentree
By trading away both Panarin and Trocheck, the Rangers really hurt their depth chart. But, they did make the big splash on the opening night of the draft by trading for Dorofeyev and signing him to a seven-year, $77 million contract extension. The hope is that Dorofeyev can continue to keep up his 35 goals a season pace like he's built up the past two years in Vegas.
But beyond Dorofeyev, the Rangers didn't add another top six forward to their roster, leaving them with a sizable gap. While they could add Bjorkstrand to the second line, he'd make more of an impact on the third line. Maybe Will Cuylle finds his way onto the top six again? When looking at the external options left this offseason, there are no top, enticing options available for them.
So, the Rangers could be left relying on their internal options, whether that's players on the pro roster, or a prospect that makes a name for himself during the preseason or down in the AHL. If Greentree becomes an option at any point this season, it would be a plus for the Rangers, and it would make their future look that much brighter.
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