Rangers Shuffle Noah Laba's Role as Part of Roster Puzzle

Rookie center adapts to changing lineup as Rangers balance development and winning

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:42am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with the players and ice reduced to angular, abstracted forms in a vibrant color palette of navy, crimson, and gold.The Rangers' lineup juggling act this season reflects the team's challenge in balancing youth development and immediate success.NYC Today

Noah Laba, one of the Rangers' rookie centers, has had an up-and-down season as the team has juggled its lineup due to injuries and the search for the optimal center depth. After initially seizing a third-line role out of training camp, Laba has spent time on both the second and fourth lines as the Rangers try to maximize their center depth and get the best out of veteran J.T. Miller.

Why it matters

The Rangers' handling of Laba's role is a microcosm of the team's larger challenge in balancing the development of young talent like Laba with the need to win now. As the team looks to the future, Laba's progression is key, but the Rangers must also find the right lineup combinations to compete in the present.

The details

Laba, 22, made the Rangers' roster out of training camp and was initially slotted as the third-line center. However, after missing time due to injury, his spot was not waiting for him, and he has spent the last three games centering the fourth line. This is due in part to the trade of usual fourth-line center Sam Carrick, which forced the Rangers to move veteran J.T. Miller back to the middle. Head coach Mike Sullivan said the team is trying to help both Laba and Miller find their best games, as well as develop young center Gabe Pereault.

  • Laba made the Rangers' roster out of training camp to start the season.
  • In November, Laba moved up to second-line center when Vincent Trocheck was injured.
  • After returning from his latest injury, Laba has been centering the fourth line for the last three games.

The players

Noah Laba

A 22-year-old rookie center who made the Rangers' roster out of training camp and has had an up-and-down season as the team has shuffled its center depth.

J.T. Miller

A veteran Rangers forward who the team has moved back to center ice to help make up for the loss of fourth-line center Sam Carrick.

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of the Rangers, who is tasked with balancing the development of young players like Laba with the need to win now.

Vincent Trocheck

A Rangers center who missed time with an upper-body injury, leading to Laba moving up the lineup.

Gabe Pereault

A young Rangers center who the team is also trying to develop alongside Laba.

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What they’re saying

“We're trying to help Labs continue to grow and develop and we really like the progress he's made this year, and we're trying to help him continue on that path. We're trying to help Gabe Pereault continue to grow and develop because we've really liked the progress he's made this year, and we're going to try to help him continue to grow. We're trying to help J.T. capture his very best game because we think that's going to give us the best chance to have success moving forward.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, New York Rangers

What’s next

The Rangers will likely look to trade veteran center Vincent Trocheck this offseason, which would open up the third-line center role for Laba. However, the team may still need to acquire another fourth-line center via free agency to solidify their depth down the middle.

The takeaway

The Rangers' handling of Noah Laba's role this season highlights the team's challenge in balancing the development of young talent with the need to win now. As the team looks to the future, Laba's progression is key, but the Rangers must also find the right lineup combinations to compete in the present.