Pavel Dorofeyev made a significant move from the Vegas Golden Knights to the New York Rangers on June 26, marking a new chapter in his career. Just four days later, he signed a lucrative seven-year, $77 million contract, solidifying the Rangers’ investment in the talented 25-year-old winger known for his scoring prowess.
Recent Performance and Expectations for Dorofeyev
Dorofeyev arrives in New York with a wealth of playoff experience. Over the last two postseasons, he has played in 30 playoff games, showcasing his abilities under pressure. Last spring, he participated in 22 games as the Golden Knights made a run to the Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately fell to the Carolina Hurricanes. During that playoff stretch, he produced an impressive 16 points, including 12 goals, ranking second among all players, just behind his teammate Brett Howden.
This strong postseason performance followed a breakout regular season where Dorofeyev recorded 64 points, including 37 goals and 27 assists, across 82 games. Notably, his goal total would have exceeded the Rangers’ leading scorer, Mika Zibanejad, by three goals. Overall, since being drafted in the third round in 2019 (No. 79), he has amassed 149 points (92 goals, 57 assists) in 231 regular-season games and 18 points (13 goals, five assists) in 31 playoff appearances.
The New York Rangers are banking on Dorofeyev to rejuvenate an offense that struggled last season, finishing 23rd in the NHL with an average of 2.87 goals per game. However, their power play was a notable strength, ranking fifth in the league with a 24.7 percent success rate, despite limited opportunities. Dorofeyev’s scoring profile aligns with this need; last season, 20 of his 37 goals and 30 of his 64 points were scored during power plays.
Dorofeyev embraces the high expectations that come with his hefty contract and the competitive New York market. He has prepared for this transition by training in Stamford, Connecticut, during offseasons with esteemed performance coach Ben Prentiss, alongside current and former Rangers players. This preparation is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition into his new role.
While he has yet to discuss specific roles or linemates with general manager Chris Drury or coach Mike Sullivan, Dorofeyev is focused on getting ready for training camp. The Rangers have not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the last two seasons since their impressive run to the Eastern Conference Final in the 2023-24 season. With Dorofeyev on board, the team hopes to change this trajectory and aim for greater success in the upcoming season.