New York Rangers Scoop: Lafrenière Meets Sullivan, Fortescue Eyes Pro Leap
Signing season is underway for Rangers prospects positioned to turn professional. The organization moved early last week with one notable signing and several prospects nearing decisions.
Entry-level signing and AHL tryout
Brody Lamb, drafted No. 104 in 2021, signed a two-year entry-level deal. The contract will begin in 2026-27, and he finishes the season on an ATO with AHL Hartford.
The 22-year-old has played three games for the Wolf Pack. He has two assists, two shots on goal, and an even plus-minus rating.
Lamb captained the University of Minnesota as a senior. He posted 30 points in 35 games, with 14 goals and 16 assists.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward is starting on Hartford’s third line. He will skate alongside Bryce McConnell-Barker and Carey Terrance.
Unsigned NCAA prospects and timelines
The Rangers still have several unsigned college picks. Michigan’s Malcolm Spence, North Dakota’s EJ Emery, and Boston College’s Drew Fortescue headline that group.
Spence was selected No. 43 in 2025. He has 21 points in 36 games for a Michigan squad that enters the tournament among favorites.
Emery, No. 30 in 2024, has improved this season. The 19-year-old is at 12 points in 35 games and has seven points in his last eight.
Fortescue Eyes Pro Leap
Drew Fortescue, drafted No. 90 in 2023, is the most pro-ready of the unsigned trio. The 20-year-old left-handed defenseman has 13 points in 35 games while playing a shutdown role at Boston College.
Fortescue won U.S. World Junior gold twice during his first two years at BC. He considered turning pro after his sophomore season but returned to add strength.
Boston College must win the Hockey East tournament to guarantee an NCAA berth. The Eagles face Connecticut in the semifinals on Friday, and a loss could trigger immediate contract talks.
The Rangers can sign Fortescue to an entry-level deal that starts immediately. That route would allow him to join the NHL club this season, but not play in the AHL until 2026-27.
Alternatively, New York could offer an ATO, as they did with Lamb, allowing Fortescue to play in Hartford. His entry-level deal would then begin in 2026-27 under that path.
Higher-end prospects often prefer immediate entry-level deals. As a college junior, Fortescue holds added leverage in negotiations.
Decision factors for Emery and Spence
Emery and his camp remain undecided on turning pro. Family adviser Scott Norton said Emery is in no rush, given North Dakota’s development resources.
If Emery returns, he will focus on adding muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame. The Rangers’ level of pursuit after the season could shape his decision.
Spence, 19, has shown promise but likely needs more seasoning. Michigan coach Brandon Naurato praised his performance and upside earlier in the season.
Coach-player chemistry: Lafrenière and Sullivan
Mike Sullivan sought one-on-one time with new players before training camp. One notable meeting took place over lunch in Manhattan.
The session lasted roughly an hour and a half at a French restaurant. It gave Alexis Lafrenière a clear view of Sullivan’s direct communication style.
A New York Rangers Scoop: Lafrenière Meets Sullivan highlighted Sullivan’s message. He challenged Lafrenière to create offense from high-danger areas like the slot and net front.
Through 54 games, Lafrenière had 10 goals before a recent surge. He scored nine goals in a 10-game stretch, including five goals over three games from March 9-12.
Lafrenière earned NHL First Star of the Week during that hot run. He added his 20th goal in a 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets this week.
Sullivan praised Lafrenière’s work down low and his improved ability to protect pucks. Natural Stat Trick credited him with leading the team in individual high-danger chances at five-on-five and all strengths.
Lineup experiments and center depth
Adam Edström arrived at TRIA Rink in St. Paul to find himself penciled in at center on the fourth line. The 25-year-old is excited to try the middle after developing as a winger.
Edström is 6-foot-7 and weighs 232 pounds. He went 3-for-11 on faceoffs in his first three games at center, a 27.3 percent clip.
Coaches have been cautious with his minutes. He is practicing with J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad to speed his adjustment.
The March 5 trade that sent Sam Carrick to Buffalo left a vacancy at fourth center. Juuso Pärssinen has not met expectations since signing a two-year, $1.25 million AAV deal last summer.
AHL options like Carey Terrance and Dylan Roobroeck likely need more seasoning. Roobroeck is heating up and scored twice in Hartford’s 5-2 win over Charlotte on Wednesday.
With playoffs out of reach, the Rangers can test lineup ideas and evaluate versatility. Edström views the center opportunity as a way to increase his value.
Franchise history and an overlooked icon
Research for Filmogaz.com’s centennial series prompted a historical question. Why is Frank Boucher not honored with a retired number at Madison Square Garden?
Boucher was a Hall of Fame center central to the Rangers’ 1928 and 1933 Stanley Cup teams. He then won the Cup as a rookie coach in 1940.
He anchored the famed “Bread Line” with Bill and Bun Cook. Boucher retired with 414 franchise points, a mark that stood until Andy Bathgate surpassed it in 1959-60.
Although Rod Gilbert’s No. 7 is displayed at MSG, Boucher’s contributions remain underrecognized. The franchise’s early championship era included few formally retired numbers.
