Rookie’s performance wins the top training camp award
New York, NY- The New York Rangers announced that rookie Center Noah Laba has won the Lars-Erik Sjoberg award as the best rookie at the 2025-26 Rangers Training Camp during the preseason that just ended on Saturday, October 4th at the TD Bank Garden with a four to one loss against the Bruins.
Laba’s performance
In six games of pre-season hockey, Laba compiled two goals and four assists for six points to dazzle the coaching staff and give Rangers fans a lot of hope for him to make the final roster, which will be announced at 5 PM on Monday, October 6th.
Four Assists
Laba came up big with an assist at the Devils, two assists at the Garden against the Bruins. Many loved his play when he went in for a Shorthanded rush along the near boards, saw Vladislav Gavrikov trailing the play, and made a nice pass for the goal. He earned his final assist against the Islanders
Two Goals
Laba scored the overtime winner at the UBS Arena in Belmont Park when he received a quick pass from Gabe Perreault, entered the blue line, used his speed to cut in front of the net, and stuffed the puck in for the winner. Scored a Power Play Goal with a deflection in front of Jeremy Swayman in the loss.
Possible Comparison
Rangers Head Coach Mike Sullivan was interviewed and asked about a comparison to a former Ranger who had the same type of trajectory that Laba could be on if he does make the team this season. That was former Rangers Center Derek Stepan.
“I think, you know, they’re similar in some instances. I think in the sense that they’re they’re both highly regarded prospects. At the time when Step was trying to enter the league, as a young player, he was coming out of college. He was a terrific college player. And Noah is the same in that regard. I think they’re a little bit, their style of play is a little bit different.
You know, Step was a cerebral guy, really good playmaker, had a real offensive dimension to him. You know, I think Noah’s got a 200-foot game that I think his offense is evolving, actually. With each game that he plays, you can see more. You know, you can see more of the some of the playmaking and just his vision.
You know, whether it be with the puck or without the puck on the offensive side. just his instincts. So they’re a little bit different in their style of play, but they’re similar in the sense that, you know, they’re situationally, yes, they’re both; they, when they were both, you know, coming out of highly regarded players that, you know, that are raising eyebrows and having an impact, and Steph was the same way.” said Sullivan
New York Rangers News:
- Rangers drop their last preseason game at the Bruins
- Rangers edged by Devils in Final home preseason game
- Noah Laba’s OT Winner Gives the Rangers a win on the Island
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