
Pep drops hint about his future after 20th major Man City trophy
Pep Guardiola hints at a bright future for Man City after winning his 20th trophy with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea.
The New York Rangers hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and are expected to select a top-tier prospect. Their second first-round pick, acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes, will be either No. 26 or 27, complicating their strategy for that selection.
The New York Rangersâ first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft should be pretty straightforward. Holding the No. 5 overall selection, theyâre positioned to land a top-tier prospect with several elite options expected to be on the board, either on defense, or up front at center or on the wing.
Their second firstâround pick later is where things get complicated. That pick was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the KâAndre Miller trade last summer, and originally belonged to the Dallas Stars. Itâll either be No. 26 or 27 overall, depending on the final results of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Late in the first round, teams often choose between the best player available or hoping a talented prospect unexpectedly slips â similar to when Gabe Perreault fell to New York at No. 23 in the 2023 draft.
If the Rangers use the No. 5 pick on a right-shot defenseman, the logical move at No. 26 or 27 is to target a center. They shouldnât expect to find a first-line center, but a reliable secondâline center is more realistic.
Ruck is one of the most productive forwards in the draft, after posting 45 goals, 59 assists and 104 points for Medicine Hat in the WHL this season. At 6-foot-0, he isnât the biggest forward, but heâs a natural finisher with excellent hockey sense and strong awareness in all three zones.
The 18-year-old tied for the Medicine Hat lead in goals, and ranked second in points and assists. He also tied for the team lead with eight goals in 14 postseason games.
Looking at the bigger picture, Ruck was tied for second in goal-scoring and finished second in points during the 2025-26 regular season.
The Rangers are expected to have several elite options available, particularly on defense or at center and wing.
The Rangers have the No. 5 overall pick and a second first-round pick that will be either No. 26 or 27.
The second first-round pick was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the KâAndre Miller trade last summer.
If they select a defenseman with the No. 5 pick, they are likely to target a center with their late first-round pick.

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His defensive reads also stand out, and his ability to anticipate plays projects well to the NHL. If he were two inches taller, heâd likely be a topâ10 pick. Ruck averaged more than 18 minutes per game and profiles as a complete, topâsix winger. It would be a surprise if heâs still available late in the first round â and a mistake for the Rangers to pass if he is.
Liamâs twin brother brings a different skill set. Markus is a highâend playmaker who posted 21 goals and 87 assists for a league-high 108 points. At 5âfootâ11, he may shift to the wing at the NHL level, but heâs also an excellent defensive forward with elite vision and a relentless work ethic.
His hockey IQ and compete level make him a strong fit for a team looking to add skill and responsibility down the middle.
Morozov is harder to project. With only one USHL season and one NCAA season, his rĂ©sumĂ© is thin, and his 8â12â20 freshman stat line raises questions. Scouts praise the Moscow nativeâs work ethic and heavy minutes as a freshman, but concerns remain about his puck skills and offensive ceiling. His profile resembles Manny Malhotra â steady, reliable, but not a high-end producer.
We need to take into account that Morozov began the season as the youngest player in NCAA Div. I menâs hockey â and doesnât turn 18 until August. Heâs also got terrific size â 6-foot-3, 205 pounds â and started the season strong, with a pair of three-point games, and two two-point outings in the first couple months. His production tailed off dramatically as the season wore on, but he did play all 36 games.
If the Rangers go with the best player available, the lefthanded Macbeath may be the pick. The 6âfootâ2 defenseman broke out with 51 points (seven goals, 44 assists) as a WHL rookie and joins NCAA powerhouse and defending national champion Denver University next season â a strong indicator of his development path.
Macbeath is an excellent skater who moves the puck quickly, a trait that fits well with coach Mike Sullivanâs system. With added strength, he projects as a topâfour NHL defenseman.
If I were to rank these four players:
1. Ben Macbeath: offers the best overall upside.
2. Liam Ruck: is the most polished scorer of the group.
3. Markus Ruck: brings highâend playmaking and strong defensive habits.
4. Ilia Morozov: profiles as a steady, responsible center with a lower offensive ceiling.
With no pick between this one and No. 63 overall, the Rangers should consider trading back to add an additional secondâround selection. Given the depth of this draft class, adding another pick could help restock a prospect pool that needs more highâupside talent.
But since the Rangers already have 11 picks in the 2026 draft, including seven in the first three rounds, perhaps this late first-rounder can be used in a trade to acquire another prospect or NHL-ready player that is further along in his development. Remember, this is a retool, not a rebuild, per general manager Chris Drury, so if that pick can be packaged for more immediate help, youâd expect the Rangers to do so.
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