As the New York Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the standings and weigh further roster changes ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline, several young players are seizing the opportunity to secure their places on the team. Among them, rookie center Noah Laba has distinguished himself as a consistent presence, earning a spot in the lineup straight from his very first NHL training camp during this difficult season for the Blueshirts.
Noah Laba’s Progress and Impact on the Ice
Noah Laba, standing 6-foot-3, was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2022 draft after completing three seasons at Colorado College. Since transitioning to the NHL, he has appeared in 57 games this season, contributing six goals and 10 assists while also spending time with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack last spring. The Michigan native has shown versatility by playing regularly on the penalty kill and averaging over 13 minutes of ice time each game.
Speaking after practice in Tarrytown, Laba reflected on his initial breakthrough as a rookie.
“Obviously, it was huge to make it out of camp, super proud of that, and I’m just trying to continue to progress and not be satisfied and continue to become a better player,”
said the 22-year-old.
“I just need to continue to work on all aspects of the game as well as try to chip in more offensively, as much as I can, and just overall help the team.”
Coaching Staff Supports Laba’s Development
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan highlighted Laba’s ongoing growth, drawing comparisons between him and fellow rookie winger Gabe Perreault.
“I just think Lobs is very similar to Gabe in just the fact that with every NHL game that he gets under his belt, he’s practicing with NHL players at an NHL pace, and I think that experience, in and of itself, is invaluable to helping a player grow and develop,”
Sullivan explained.
The coaching staff aims to place Laba in roles that align with his strengths while encouraging improvement in different aspects of his game. Sullivan added,
“As coaches, we try to cast them in a role that we think sets them up for success, where you can play to your strengths. We’re trying to help him grow and get better in different aspects of his game.”
Assistant coach and former NHL forward Joe Sacco has also been instrumental in Laba’s refinement, working closely with him throughout the season to sharpen his understanding of key responsibilities.
“We think he’s growing in every aspect,”
Sullivan noted.
“He’s doing a better job hanging onto pucks in the offensive zone. We think he’s doing a better job on the penalty kill. He’s winning faceoffs. He’s got a better understanding of how we’re trying to defend.”
Speed is a distinct asset that Laba brings to the team, Sullivan emphasized.
“And he’s big and strong. I think the one element that jumps out at me, that he’s really brought to our team is just his overall speed. Lobs can really skate and in today’s game, speed is a competitive advantage. The game’s not getting slower, it’s getting faster.”
Rebuild Challenges and Young Players’ Role in Future Success
With key veterans like Artemi Panarin already traded before the Olympic break, and others such as Vincent Trocheck potentially on the move before the deadline, the Rangers are clearly focusing on a youth-driven rebuild. Laba expressed confidence in the younger core of the roster, including Perreault, who impressed with two goals in Monday’s game against Columbus.
“For sure, I think the older guys have done a great job of mentoring us and continuing to pump belief into us,”
Laba said.
“So they’ve been huge, and we’re seeing a ton of growth in the younger guys.”
He also acknowledged the importance of staying focused amid external uncertainties.
“I think we just try to focus on our game and what we can put on the ice. All that other external stuff is in reality not in our control, so I think we’ve done a good job of staying internal and trying to focus on our game.”
Looking Ahead for the Rangers and Noah Laba
As the Rangers navigate a challenging season and look toward rebuilding, the emergence of players like Noah Laba provides a ray of optimism. His steady development and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively are vital as the team works to shape a competitive future. With trade deadline decisions imminent, the responsibility increasingly falls on young athletes such as Laba and Perreault to help lead the Blueshirts out of the current struggles and toward sustained success.
