Why Rangers could have interest in NCAA free agent defensemen to bolster prospect pool
With the NCAA college hockey season winding down, the New York Rangers could explore the option of signing a free-agent player not previously drafted by an NHL team.
Each year, several of these players, typically late bloomers, land NHL contracts once their collegiate careers end. Last season, the big prize was Collin Graf, a high-scoring forward who helped Quinnipiac win the 2023 NCAA National Championship. He signed with the San Jose Sharks after his junior year, played seven NHL games to close out the 2023-24 season and has split this season between the Sharks and their AHL affiliate, San Jose Barracuda.
The 22-year-old just recorded his first two-goal game in the NHL against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, and has four goals in 23 games with the Sharks.
In speaking with NHL sources, it’s believed that if the Rangers wade into the NCAA free-agent pool this year, they may target a defenseman. The reason being that they lack quality prospects at the position at or near the professional level. Victor Mancini was their best defenseman prospect at Hartford of the American Hockey League, but he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31 as part of the J.T. Miller acquisition.
New York has two key defenseman prospects on the horizon, though each is considered at least a couple years away from helping the Rangers. Drew Fortescue is 19 and a sophomore at Boston College. The steady, stay-at-home defender helped the United States win consecutive gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championship after he was selected by the Rangers in the third round (No. 90 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
E.J. Emery was New York’s first-round pick (No. 30 overall) last year and is finishing his freshman season at North Dakota. He’s played 30 games, but none recently because of an injury. He’s further behind Fortescue but considered to be one of New York’s top overall prospects.
With a good chance that Zac Jones — unhappy with his role with the Rangers and a pending RFA with arbitration rights — might be traded this offseason, it would behoove the Blueshirts to add a defenseman to bridge the gap between Emery and Fortescue and who they have in the AHL and NHL.
Related: Rangers frustrated with calls against Matt Rempe: ‘He’s really not doing anything’
2 NCAA free-agent defensemen the Rangers could consider signing
Here are two options for the Rangers to consider among NCAA free-agent defensemen.
Caleb MacDonald – North Dakota
The big (6-foot-3, 224 pounds) rugged defenseman has the size and strength to play right now in the pros. The sophomore transfer from Alaska-Fairbanks leads North Dakota with 67 blocked shots and is tied for the team lead with 40 penalty minutes in 32 games. More of a defensive defenseman, MacDonald, 22, has seven points (three goals, four assists), including a goal and assist on Feb. 1 against St. Cloud State.
The definition of late bloomer, MacDonald played two seasons as an overager in the AJHL before attending college in 2023-24, when he led Alaska first-year players with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists). If any NHL team would have a good feel for him, it’s the Rangers, who spent quite a bit of time watching Emery play at North Dakota this season.
John Prokop – Union College
The Junior defenseman is already 23 years old, soon to be 24, so it likely doesn’t make sense for him to stick around for another year in college if he can land a pro contract this spring. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound left shot has 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 34 games this season. He really excelled a year ago statistically, leading all Union skaters with 35 points (eight goals, 27 assists) in 36 games, and finishing third with 35 blocked shots. He’s a skilled power-play quarterback, who’s definitely considered more of an offensive defenseman.
NHL scouts have been following him the past few years and he reportedly was close to landing a free-agent deal last year. Another late bloomer set to get his pro chance.
More About:New York Rangers News