In some respects, it feels like Adam Sykora’s a lot older than he really is. In truth, the New York Rangers forward prospect just celebrated his 21st birthday last week.
But here he is attending his fourth rookie camp and prepping for his third season in North America. So, the forward from Slovakia feels a responsibility to guide the less-experienced prospects here, while trying to make a case that he’s ready for his chance to play in the NHL, as well.
“I’m just trying to be the best guy on the ice, be a leader, just support everybody, be a great leader on this team,” Sykora explained at the start of rookie camp. “I know I’m not the oldest guy here. But I played two years in Hartford (of the American Hockey League) and have a lot of experiences that I can share with everybody to make this team great.”
Sykora’s right. He’s not the oldest player at this camp. Brennan Othmann and Scott Morrow, for example, are 22 years old. Goalie Hugo Ollas is 23. But that drive to be a leader is part of Sykora’s appeal as a prospect and future Ranger.
His upbeat personality and outstanding work ethic make him an under-the-radar contender to land a spot in the Rangers bottom-six forward group at some point this season. He kills penalties, is relentless chasing the puck, and solid defensively. He can be a pain in the ass to play against.
“I know I’m a different player from those the New York Rangers have drafted,” Sykora explained. “So, that’s kind of my path — forecheck, backcheck, all the skating, hard work, that’s kind of my job that gets me here. And I want to put it all together to get to the next level. Defensive things, penalty kill, blocking shots and [being] a team player, helping and supporting each other. Be alive on the bench and support the other guys here.”
Really, the Rangers top pick in the 2022 draft (second round; No. 63 overall) is a coach’s dream. So, why haven’t we seen him in the NHL yet? And what are the reasons his name is not often mentioned along with Othmann and Brett Berard among wings competing for a spot on the Rangers third line in training camp?
Adam Sykora — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Sykora still hasn’t played his age-21 season yet. So, the Rangers know there’s no reason to rush him. He continues to mature physically and mentally and has a long runway ahead of him.
He’s also not the biggest player. Sykora is listed at 5-foot-11, 193 pounds. So, the Rangers are trying to build him up so that he becomes bigger, stronger, faster as he grows into his man’s body.
But perhaps most importantly, there’s an area of Sykora’s game that must develop at the pro level. Simply, he needs to produce more offensively.
Last season, Sykora finished fifth on Hartford with 30 points in 71 games. That was a seven-point uptick from his rookie pro season in 2023-24. However, he scored just nine goals last season, one better than the previous campaign.
“I know what I need to improve, and they also told me last year in the exit meetings they told me, ‘Yeah, you’re getting a lot of chances, but you have to finish it and then you can have more goals, more points, and everything. So, there’s another part,” he said.
Sykora admitted that last season fell short of expectations for him.
“I got a lot of opportunities in Hartford to score the goal, but I miss the shot or miss the chance and kind of like my confidence went down,” Sykora explained. “So, work on my shooting and having good finishing points [was his offseason goal].
“For me, it was ups and downs. I think same as with my team … but it gave us all experiences to grow and to be better.”
Sykora was held off the score sheet in two games against Philadelphia Flyers prospects this weekend. A bigger challenge awaits when full training camp opens Wednesday. It’s a chance for Sykora to show the he belongs in the NHL with a strong first impression on new coach Mike Sullivan.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in me. I know it’s like fourth or fifth year here for me. So, I’ve got to prove I’m ready for the season and the camp, and just show from the beginning I’m ready.”
