Rangers Eye Malhotra at #5

**Corey** (0:00)
It's June 23rd. This is New York Rangers News Today, powered by AI everything happening with your team. I'm Corey with the story.
The New York Rangers landed the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft, which wasn't ideal given they had the third best odds. This means they're likely out of the running for top forward prospects, like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, and will probably have to settle for one. Of the draft's top defensemen, it's a tough break because the team could really use the young forward especially with Vincent Trocheck possibly being traded and a lack of depth in their minor league system. However, there's a new development that could change things.
Word on the street is that the Vancouver Canucks holding the third overall pick might not take center Caleb Malhotra if he's still available. This opens up a potential path for Malhotra to slide down the draft board right into the Rangers sites at number five. Malhotra's situation is interesting because his father, Manny, was just hired as the Canucks' new head coach. So, on paper, it seemed like a lock he'd end up in Vancouver. But this latest intel suggests that might not be the case, making things a lot more intriguing for the Rangers.
If Malhotra does slip past the third pick, the Rangers would then have to hope the Chicago Blackhawks, who pick fourth, also pass on him. It's possible the Rangers could even try to trade up with Chicago. Either way, landing Malhotra would be a huge win for them, as he's considered the top center prospect in this draft class. Malhotra had a stellar season with the Brantford Bulldogs, putting up 29 goals and 55 assists in 67 regular season games, and then adding 13 goals and 13 assists in 15 playoff games. He'd be a fantastic addition to the Rangers lineup, especially as they look to fill a future center spot.