This week’s question comes from Stamatos Petratos of Bayside Hills, New York.

Should the Rangers focus on drafting a more defensive talent because they have a deep forward prospect pool?

That’s a good point. While the Blueshirts blue line brigade is better than most – at least on paper – the defense prospect pool needs work.

In one Hockey News’ talent evaluation, three forwards – Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann and Adam Sykora were rated ahead of the first defense prospect, Drew Fortescue.

Of the total of ten, only one other backliner was mentioned, Matthew Robertson, and he was last on the list.

Interestingly, the Rangers traded up to get Fortesscu who’s from Pearl River, New York, otherwise known as Blueshirt Country.

Selected 90th overall in the 2023 Draft, Fortescue stands 6-2, 170 pounds and is projected as a fourth or fifth blue liner if he makes it to the big club.

That said, I expect – as you do – that the club will focus more on defensemen at next year’s Draft.

The following Rangers defense prospects bear watching: E.J. Emery, North Dakota and Rasmus Larsson, Northern Michigan;

Hartford Wolf Pack hopefuls include Ben Harpur, Connor Mackey, Victor Mancini and Casey Fitzgerald.