Rangers' Nathan Aspinall Soars in NHL Re-Draft Rankings
Nathan Aspinall, a fifth-round pick by the New York Rangers in the 2024 NHL Draft, has moved up 125 spots in a re-draft by The Athletic, now ranked 34th overall. The 20-year-old forward has impressed with his size and production in the OHL, despite being a raw skater. His rise makes him one of the biggest steals of that draft class.
Aspinall's 2025-26 campaign with the Flint Firebirds saw him serve as team captain while producing at nearly a point-and-a-half per game pace. His 94 regular-season points included 33 goals and 61 assists, and he maintained that output in the playoffs with 17 points across seven contests. The Athletic's re-draft placed him in the "middle of the lineup player" tier, a significant jump from his original fifth-round selection.
The Rangers' prospect pool already features forwards Will Cuylle, Noah Laba, and Gabe Perreault at the NHL level, with Aspinall now emerging as another potential contributor. His 6-foot-6 frame remains a work in progress in terms of skating, but his offensive production suggests the size and skill combination could translate to a middle-six NHL role.
This story could signal a shift in how NHL teams evaluate larger, raw-skating prospects in later draft rounds. If Aspinall's trajectory continues, it may encourage franchises to take more chances on physically gifted players who need development time, potentially altering scouting strategies. For Rangers fans, it offers hope that organizational depth is improving, which could affect ticket sales and fan engagement during a challenging season.