Why Liam Greentree’s massive rise is the perfect news for the Rangers' retool

When the New York Rangers acquired Liam Greentree from the Los Angeles Kings in the Artemi Panarin trade, the move was made for the future. Though the pipeline looks bleak as of now – Greentree is a bright spot – and has sparked some excitement for what’s ahead.

Since the deal, Greentree has caught fire, piling up 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in his last ten games. More importantly, the production suggests he is returning to form after offseason surgery that could have factored into a slow start to his final junior season.

Greentree’s pedestrian start

Greentree’s sluggish opening to the season raised eyebrows, especially for an overager expected to dominate the OHL. An offseason wrist surgery robbed him of a critical summer, keeping him out of development camp and preventing a postseason run with the Ontario Reign of the AHL after Windsor’s season ended.

The lost reps and lack of an offseason program showed early. His confidence lagged, and the offensive assertiveness that defined his game wasn’t standing out. For a player who relies so much on his shot, recovering from a wrist injury can prove difficult.

He appears to be healthy now, and the version of Greentree the Rangers hoped to acquire is beginning to surface.

An NHL caliber Shot

The most translatable part of Greentree’s game has always been his shot—and recent games have put that on full display. He’s scoring off the rush, from distance, in traffic, and around the crease.

Greentree’s release is ridiculous and extremely deceptive. He doesn’t need much space, and his ability to pick corners makes goaltenders uncomfortable even when they’re square to the shooter. His shot has been NHL-ready since draft day, and it’s the foundation of what can make him successful at the next level.

Size, skill, and work in tight areas

While the shot draws attention, Greentree’s puck protection is one of his most valuable traits. He uses his frame effectively along the boards and excels at holding onto pucks in highly congested areas on the ice. At times, his game below the goal line mirrors the style of Kaapo Kakko as he shows patience under pressure and can wait a defensive structure out until lanes open up.

The ability to extend possession makes him more than just a finisher. It allows him to elevate his linemate around him.

Leadership

Greentree has captained Windsor for three seasons now, which is a rarity at the junior level. On the Flying V Podcast, Vince Mercogliano spoke with the Spitfires general manager and vice president of hockey operations Bill Bowler, who highlighted how unusual that responsibility is.

That leadership was showcased in Saturday’s win against the Barrie Colts. After Greentree sealed a 3–0 win with an empty-net goal, Islanders prospect Kashawn Aitcheson delivered a late cheap shot on him. Windsor responded immediately. Though shaken up, Greentree popped back up and let the Colts’ bench know he was still standing.

Moments like that show what a player is really made of. He is not one to bully around. 

Areas for development

Greentree’s offensive confidence can occasionally work against him. There are stretches where he tries to do too much, forcing plays that don’t need to be made. Those decisions tend to lead to turnovers in dangerous areas, something that will be punished quickly at the next level.

As his game matures, simplifying in key moments needs to be an area of focus. A good development staff can easily iron out these issues with good film breakdown, paired with more experience. 

The speed question

The elephant in the room remains skating. Greentree lacks high-end acceleration, and his top gear won’t blow past defenders. That concern runs rampant with others in the Rangers’ pipeline.

However, his puck protection and finishing ability have consistently offset that limitation – at least at the junior level. He does not need to become a burner, but foot speed and acceleration will need to see improvement to keep up with the speed of the NHL.

Production and projection

While Greentree’s season-long totals may not jump off the page for a 20 year old, his broader résumé tells a different story. He posted 90 points (36G, 54A) in his draft year, followed by a dominant 119-point (49G, 70A) D+1 season. This season’s dip is likely due to both injury recovery and the loss of former linemate Ilya Protas, who elevated everyone around him.

Evaluating overagers is never straightforward, but the recent surge is encouraging. His tools are there and his confidence is reappearing with the puck on his stick. The jump to the pro seems imminent following what is his final OHL campaign. 

What comes next for the Greentree and the Rangers

It would be no surprise to see Greentree earn NHL minutes as early as next season. His shot alone gives him a chance to stick, and the potential fit is intriguing. Pairing him with someone who can facilitate so well like Gabe Perreault could create a dangerous scoring duo, especially alongside a center capable of driving play.

For the Rangers, Greentree is no longer just a future asset. He’s starting to look like a real piece of the next wave—and one who seems to be accelerating at the perfect time.