‘Sky’s the limit’ for Greentree, Beaudoin as Rangers send them to minors

September 25, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Not even a solid training camp and preseason were enough to keep Liam Greentree and Cole Beaudoin from being two of the six players the New York Rangers assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League on Friday. But coach Mike Sullivan is optimistic that these two prospects have a bright future on Broadway.

“I believe these guys have a chance to be impactful players,” Sullivan said about the pair of 20-year-olds. “They’re fun guys to be around. Their energy, their enthusiasm – it’s contagious. They love hockey, they love being on the ice … I always use the phrase ‘they’re enthusiastic learners.’ They’re all eyes and ears, and we love working with those types of guys. I think the sky’s the limit for those guys.”

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That the Rangers assigned Greentree and Beaudoin to Hartford is not a surprise. Each is set to begin his first professional season after standout careers in major junior, though strong play with the Wolf Pack will put each in line for an NHL recall, if needed, during the 2026-27 campaign.

Greentree, a highly-skilled forward acquired by the Rangers in the trade that sent Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 4, played in each of the Rangers’ first three preseason games. He had one assist and a fight with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield on Tuesday during a 4-3 loss. He was noticeable in each of his three games and was a standout in the two-game Rookie Series against Philadelphia Flyers prospects.

Beaudoin, who came to the Rangers in a trade with the Utah Mammoth that sent center Vincent Trocheck out west in July, played two preseason games and scored the first goal in the loss to the Islanders.

The rugged center was taken with the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, two selections before the Kings chose Greentree.

“They’re great kids, very coachable,” Sullivan said. “They’re talented players. They’re big, they’re strong. They’re competitive. They’re different players, but both of them have those attributes, which I think are important attributes to have at the NHL level.

“We’re excited about these guys.”

Greentree, Beaudoin among six players sent to Hartford by Rangers

Beaudoin had 88 points (33 goals, 55 assists) in 54 games for Barrie of the OHL in 2025-26, when he served as team captain. He also led the OHL in playoff scoring with 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 15 games. In four OHL seasons, he had 221 points (91 goals, 130 assists) in 236 games, though is known mostly for his tenacity and strong two-way play.

Greentree put up 38 goals and 74 points in 52 games with Windsor of the OHL last season, his third as their captain. He had 328 points (148 goals, 180 assists) in 241 OHL games, including a whopping 49 goals and 70 assists for 119 points in 2024-25.

“They’re young players that we believe have a whole lot of upside, and so they’re starting that journey right now,” Sullivan explained. “We’re excited that they’re part of our organization.”

The Rangers also sent forwards Nathan Aspinall and Carey Terrance to the Wolf Pack, along with defensemen Drew Fortescue and Jackson Dorrington. In all, the Rangers assigned 16 players to Hartford in the past three days as they whittle down their roster before opening the regular season against the Bruins in Boston on Tuesday.

Drew Fortescue — Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fortescue, who had one goal in two preseason games, is the only one of the six with NHL experience. The Rangers’ third-round pick (No. 90 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft impressed during a nine-game cameo with the Blueshirts in April after completing his junior year at Boston College. The native of Pearl River, New York, played in 112 games during three seasons with BC, scoring eight goals and adding 25 assists for 33 points. He also helped the United States capture consecutive World Junior Championship gold medals in 2024 and 2025.

The Rangers selected Aspinall in the fifth round (No. 159) of the 2024 draft. He had a breakout season with the Flint Firebirds in 2025-26, finishing second in the OHL with 94 points (33 goals, 61 assists) in 65 games while wearing the captain’s “C.” Aspinall was without a point in two preseason games this month.

Terrance and Dorrington each played for the Wolf Pack last season. Terrance, acquired from the Anaheim Ducks as part of the Chris Kreider trade in June 2025, had eight goals and 17 points in 68 games. Dorrington had two goals and 11 points in 70 games.

The Rangers also placed forwards Anton Blidh and Glenn Gawdin, and defensemen Marc Del Gaizo and William Trudeau, on waivers. Assuming they clear, each will be assigned to Hartford on Saturday.

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