Rangers Eye Chase Reid at Pick Five

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It's June 10th, New York Rangers News Today starts now. AI-powered and ready for kickoff. All right, let's talk about the NHL draft and one name that's been buzzing around the New York Rangers, Chase Reid. He's a defenseman out of the OHL's Sue Greyhounds, and some experts are now projecting him to go to the Rangers with the fifth overall pick. This is a bit of a shift as he was previously considered a top two prospect, and it would be a huge win for the team if he falls that far. The scenario that makes this possible involves a few other top prospects being taken earlier. Think Gavin McKenna going first overall, followed by Ivar Stenberg, then Caleb Malhotra, and Carson Carrolls.
If all that shakes out, it leaves Reid available for the Rangers, and according to draft analyst Scott Wheeler, they definitely snatch him up.
Now, the Rangers have also been linked to other defensemen like Keaton Verhoef, who fits the mold of a big, hard-shooting defenseman. But Reid brings a different kind of offensive upside, similar to what Adam Fox offers. He's got the skills to create scoring chances, and could be a real asset on special teams. However, there's a catch. Reid is committed to play for Michigan State this upcoming season, so he might not jump straight into the NHL.
This past season, he put up some serious numbers with the Greyhounds, 18 goals, 30 assists, and a plus 27 rating in 45 games. So, the big question is whether the draft board will fall in a way that allows the Rangers to grab Reid. If he's there at pick 5, it's hard to imagine them passing him up. It would be a massive boost to their prospect pool, and you have to think General Manager Chris Drury would be thrilled.