The Post’s Mollie Walker and Ethan Sears predict who the Rangers and Islanders will select Friday in the first round of the NHL draft:
Rangers
No. 5
With Chase Reid unavailable, the Rangers will take Keaton Verhoeff out of the University of North Dakota.
Keaton Verhoeff attends the 2026 NHL Draft Top Prospects Media Availability on June 25, 2026 at the New Era Cap World Headquarters in Buffalo. NHLI via Getty Images
No. 26
If a big-bodied center like Brooks Rogowski is still on the board, the Rangers will pounce.
— Mollie Walker
Islanders
No. 13
6-foot-5 winger Ethan Belchetz isn’t the best skater in the draft, but has the shot, the hockey sense and the physicality to suggest the Islanders won’t pass him up if he’s still on the board.
Ethan Belchetz plays a shot at the 2026 NHL Draft Top Prospects Golf Outing on June 25, 2026 in Buffalo NHLI via Getty ImagesA Michigan State commit who played last year with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Belchetz has the sort of profile the Islanders could use in their system.
That said, it wouldn’t be a shock if Mathieu Darche chose to move his pick, should the chance arise.
— Ethan Sears
