Noah Laba's breakout 2025-26 rookie season quickly established the 22-year-old center as one of the Rangers' most intriguing young building blocks, combining speed, physicality, and defensive reliability into an everyday NHL role. Drafted by New York in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Northville, Michigan native made an immediate impact after arriving from Colorado College, recording his first NHL points against Pittsburgh, scoring his first career goal against Calgary, and finishing the season with 110 hits while ranking among the NHL's fastest skaters with a top speed of 23.04 mph. This game-used #42 blue alternate jersey was worn against the Buffalo Sabres on April 8, 2026, directly connecting the piece to Laba's impressive rookie campaign and his emergence within the Rangers lineup.