Noah Laba’s Offensive Struggles Underline Rangers’ Center Depth Concerns
Rookie center Noah Laba is underperforming offensively despite solid defensive contributions, with no goals and only four assists in 16 games. His demotion to the fourth line reflects growing concerns about his offensive production, especially after the departure of veteran Vincent Trocheck. The Rangers now need Laba to step up as a key piece in their evolving lineup.
Noah Laba, a 6-foot-3, 218-pound rookie center drafted in the fourth round of 2022, has struggled offensively in his second NHL season with the New York Rangers, recording no goals and only four assists through 16 games as of November 4, 2026. Despite maintaining strong defensive play—winning 56.1% of his faceoffs and averaging 14:43 minutes per game—he was demoted to the fourth line in a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on November 3, with winger Will Cuylle shifted to center. This move underscores growing concerns about Laba’s offensive production, especially after the Rangers traded veteran center Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth this offseason, leaving them with limited depth at the position. Laba had shown promise last season, tallying nine goals and 15 assists in 74 games while playing a key two-way role on the third line. Now, with veterans Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller—both age 33—expected to carry heavy loads, and fourth-line center Joe Veleno sidelined with a lower-body injury, the pressure is mounting for Laba to step up. The Rangers’ front office, which bet on Laba as a core piece after the Trocheck trade, now faces questions about whether he can evolve into a reliable offensive contributor or if his limitations will expose deeper roster vulnerabilities.
The situation reflects broader organizational challenges: while New York bolstered its defense and winger depth, it failed to secure a proven center alternative. The team’s reliance on aging stars and unprov
The Rangers’ struggle with center depth could have ripple effects across the NHL’s competitive balance, particularly for teams relying on roster stability during high-stakes seasons. Laba’s underperformance highlights how quickly young players can become liabilities when expectations rise—especially in a league where depth is often the difference between playoff contention and early exit. This situation mirrors the 2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs’ overreliance on John Tavares and Auston Matthews, which exposed weaknesses when injuries hit; similarly, New York’s dependence on aging stars may backfire if Laba doesn’t develop. The broader impact includes increased pressure on front offices to manage development timelines and trade decisions more carefully. Markets for young players with two-way potential could shift if teams begin valuing defensive reliability over offensive flair in early contracts. What to watch for next is whether the Rangers make a midseason move or double down on Laba—ei