Rangers weakness in key area means Noah Loba may reach NHL sooner

Noah Laba came into his first ever Rangers rookie camp with some serious momentum behind him. 

After finishing up his junior season at Colorado College, as well as logging his first 11 professional hockey games with the Wolf Pack last season, the 22-year-old center was evidently one of the top prospects that Blueshirts management wanted to evaluate this past week. 

Laba centered Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann, two of only three rookies with NHL experience in camp, each day before getting real game action between the two Friday and Saturday night against the Flyers prospects in Allentown, PA. 

The Rangers are organizationally thin at center, and Laba could be on a fast track for that very reason. 

“Obviously, just like everybody else, the goal is to make the New York Rangers, and that’s what I’m trying to do,” he said earlier this week. “Just trying to compete, showcase my skills and my abilities and where I shine.” 

Though making the Rangers roster out of training camp may be a long shot — given his position on the center depth chart behind the likes of J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Sam Carrick, Jonny Brodzinski and center/wing Mika Zibanejad — Laba will still benefit from time in Hartford. 

After serving as assistant captain at school, where he skated on the top line and played major minutes, Laba said he really learned how to be a leader on top of all the on-the-ice skills he improved. 

“In choosing to go there, I wanted to be the guy there,” he said. 

At 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds, the Michigan native doesn’t look out of place. In fact, he actually stands out. 

Laba described himself as a two-way center with a 200-foot game who can play well defensively and play fast through the neutral zone. Playing against bigger, faster and stronger players in the AHL was a bit of an adjustment, but it was a way to get his feet wet last season. 

“I think [the AHL games were] huge, I’m really glad I went there at the end of the year,” he said. “I think what I learned was invaluable going into this year. If I had not, I think I’d be a little less prepared going into camp.” 

Laba scored three goals and dished two assists in his 11-game cameo with the Wolf Pack last season. 

Primarily skating in the middle of the top two lines, Laba got some reps next to Brendan Brisson and Jaroslav Chmela, as well as extended time with veterans like Nathan Sucese, Anton Blidh, and Alex Belzile. 

Just 8:17 into his professional debut, while killing a penalty, Laba was sprung by Blidh for a shorthanded breakaway. Laba finessed a nice move and buried his first career professional goal on his first ever shot. 

“I feel like I’m ready,” Laba said. “Obviously, you’re never ready until it actually comes, and there’s always lessons to be learned. But, you know, I feel like I’m prepared and super excited to play with any amount of guys.”