Going to interrupt the New York Rangers prospect report with a newsflash. Chris Drury’s letter is full of empty promises that he can’t fix.
Here is the reality that most Ranger fans do not realize and even worse what makes the “letter” nothing but empty promises.
A Message from Chris Drury to Our Fans pic.twitter.com/JVimBJ59B7
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 16, 2026
Start here https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr00007089.html and yes you see names but what you do not see is real talent.
There is not a legit top six forward among any of these draft picks. The best forward prospect right now is Nathan Aspinall a fifth round pick and there is no given that he is NHL material.
E.J. Emery is a solid defensive prospect but he has zero offense to his game. In almost two years, Emery has 2-4-6 in 52 games and that isn’t top pair material at all.
Artem Gonchar is showing signs of being an offensive threat but his defense isn’t NHL quality. Drew Fortescue is at best right now a third pair defender.
And there is not a single goalie who if anything happened to Igor that the Rangers could turn to. In fact the Rangers have not drafted a goalie since the 2021 draft.
Yes the Rangers have two first round picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft but the Rangers drafting record lately has been less than suspect. Can anyone honestly say that they have any confidence in Chris Drury and his staff to draft well?
This is no longer about building a new culture in the franchise, it is about a badly needed complete rebuild. James Dolan will never allow that to happen as he is a proven fool of an owner.
The bottom line is Rangers fans are being given a bill of goods that should not be trusted. The man who created this mess should not be allowed to screw it up even more
Prospect Action
Tonight’s Star Artem Gonchar Sudbury Wolves
The game of the night was once again a prospect matchup as Artem Gonchar and his Sudbury Wolves hosting Nathan Aspinall and the Flint Firebirds. Gonchar had a career best 1-2-3 night to lead the Wolves to a 7-2 win.
The young defenseman got his night going with the primary assist on Sudbury’s first goal a power play goal. All Gonchar did was hand the puck off to Jan Chovan who fired a shot past the Flint goalie.
The goal at 8:29 of the first period was Gonchar’s 21st assist and 31st point. Exactly five minutes later at 13:29, Gonchar’s second point was his 10th goal of the season.
It was an even strength goal, Sudbury’s third of the game and would prove to be the game winner. This might be Gonchar’s best goal of the season as he went forehand then backhand to beat the Flint goalie.
WHAT A GOAL BY ARTEM GONCHAR!! @OHLHockey | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/wDeHVBDmlw
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) January 17, 2026
The third point of the night was a secondary assist on Sudbury’s sixth goal which was another power play goal. For Gonchar, this assist was his 22nd and improved his season totals to 10-22-32.
As for Aspinall, he was held scoreless ending a four game scoring streak (0-6-6).
NCAA Play
Malcom Spence had a primary assist as his top-ranked Michigan Wolverines spanked Brody Lamb’s Minnesota Golden Gophers 5-1. Spence had the only assist on Michigan’s third goal.
Spence improves to 8-6-14 in 23 games. Brody Lamb was scoreless as he has gone four games without a point.
Sean Barnhill was scoreless as third-ranked Michigan State Spartans defeated second-ranked Wisconsin 4-1 in Big 10 play. The win gave Michigan State a sweep of the two game series.
E.J. Emery was scoreless as fifth-ranked North Dakota shut out 10th-ranked Denver 5-0 in NCHC play. Emery was credited with two shots and a +1.
Drew Fortescue was scoreless as his 13th-ranked Boston College Eagles lost in overtime 4-3 to 14th-ranked Providence in Hockey East play. Fortescue was credited with one shot and a -1 with a hooking minor.
Did Not Play
Rasmus Larsson was not in the lineup for Robert Morris as they faced Army. Pretty sure it was a health scratch again for the sophomore defenseman.
