Arguably the biggest gripe for New York Rangers fans over the last few years has been the franchise’s inability to develop young players.Despite having a ton of first-round draft capital, selecting in the first round nine times from 2017 through 2021, only two players from that group remain: winger Alexis Lafreniere and defenseman Braden Schneider, who were both selected in 2020 at Nos. 1 and 19.The Rangers are hoping things start to turn soon when it comes to their player development. However, while they have struggled with top draft picks, the team has started to cultivate some talent from the middle rounds of the draft.One player who everyone will be keeping an eye on during the 2026-27 season is Noah Laba. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, No. 111 overall, he entered training camp with no expectations last year, expected to just be a body before heading back to the Hartford Wolf Pack.Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Noah Laba (42) skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectAlas, Laba had other plans. He far exceeded all expectations, playing so well in training camp and during the preseason that he earned a spot on the Opening Night roster and never relinquished it.Among the few bright spots in a lost season, he ended up playing in 74 games, recording 24 points as he scored nine goals and handed out 15 assists, recording a plus/minus ratio of +2 as the No. 3 center.Along with his production, Laba’s confidence grew as the season moved along. He was a reliable, two-way forward for head coach Mike Sullivan, which has set the table and built the foundation for what could be a breakout campaign in 2026-27.With Vincent Trocheck no longer on the roster, having been traded to the Utah Mammoth, Laba is locked in as the No. 3 center with some real upside. Last year, Sullivan would sometimes tinker with his lineup, deploying Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller on the wings.If he does that again, Laba would be deployed as the No. 2 center, receiving top-six reps. That would be quite an achievement for a player who, only a year ago, no fans had on their radar as being a contributor at the NHL level, let alone with the potential to play himself into a role as a franchise-building block.He could also see a legitimate role on special teams. Spots are open on the power-play unit, and he will be under consideration as a member of the second group. Given his ability to play defense, he will almost assuredly be on the ice in penalty kill situations as well.After averaging 13:28 minutes of ice time as a rookie, it would not be a surprise to see that number tick up closer to 15. If he handles the increased role, Laba will be someone the team looks to lock into a long-term deal as part of the core moving forward.