The varsity squad for the New York Rangers has been disappointing for fans to watch this season, but the good news is that in the system there are players like Brody Lamb who should inspire hope for the future. While he's not the most notable name in the system, that was recently the case for Noah Laba, and Lamb could become the next NCAA player to make the journey to Broadway in hopes of making an impact.
Lamb on pace for collegiate career high in senior season
The Rangers selected Lamb in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, and he's getting closer to end of his final season in the NCAA. This year is his first as the captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and he's got a line of 11-12-23 in 25 games played. Last season he set a career high in goals with 17 in 39 games played, but his career high in points in 27 which was accomplished in 39 games during his sophomore season.
He just needs five points the rest of the season to set a new high mark, something that he should be able to do with ease. Lamb has three points in his last two games, and the is following a four-game stretch in which he was kept off the board. He had seven points in the three games prior to that, so it really has just been that type of year for Lamb.
Brody Lamb scored the #Gophers' first even-strength goal in 226:36.
— Gopher Game Notes (@GopherGameNotes) January 24, 2026
Lamb has now scored a goal at every Big Ten arena, except Pegula Ice Arena.pic.twitter.com/R7w91R2jMV
Lamb is tied for the lead in total points with Buffalo Sabres draft choice Brodie Ziemer, and is also second on the team in goals with Ziemer holding the top spot for that statistic as well. Minnesota currently sits sixth in the Big 10 with 20 points, and the team has taken a step back this season now that established names like Jimmy Snuggerud and Oliver Moore have turned pro.
Since the statistic began being tracked in 2006-07, Brody Lamb ranks second among #Gophers forwards with 101-career blocked shots. Only Jaxon Nelson, who had 93 blocks through four years and ended with 132, had more.
— Gopher Game Notes (@GopherGameNotes) January 20, 2026
Lamb's career-high 28 blocks in 2025-26 lead Big Ten forwards. pic.twitter.com/rwn9BNbacU
It is encouraging to see that Lamb has stepped up and taken advantage of his opportunities, and with the Rangers set to create roster opportunities in the wake of the Letter 2.0, a cost-effective youngster like Lamb could be a major help in the coming years.
When could Lamb be making his Broadway debut?
Lamb will be 23 in August, and when he does sign an entry-level deal it will be for two years whether he signs as a 22 year old or a 23 year old. The Rangers obviously want to have him under team control as long as possible, and he doesn't appear to be a player they'd burn a year off a contract for. That doesn't mean he can't get an amateur tryout to join the Hartford Wolf Pack, and that feels like the likliest outcome once his college season is over.
He would seemingly be a lock to spend most of the 2026-27 season with the Wolf Pack, but in fairness, a lot of people thought 22 year old Noah Laba would be in Hartford this year too. Laba was less productive in college, and had less experience, but the Rangers had a much bigger need at center. Time will tell, but it is good to see that the Rangers have someone in their system that fans can get excited about.