The New York Rangers needed to add a top scoring forward this offseason, and the options looked bleak given the lackluster free agent class. But on the opening night of the NHL Draft, the Rangers traded two first round picks to the Vegas Golden Knights to bring in Pavel Dorofeyev, a young scorer who was a restricted free agent, and is now under contract for the next seven years at $11 million per season.
With Dorofeyev in the fold, now head coach Mike Sullivan is tasked with putting together the best forward lines heading into the upcoming season. Considering Dorofeyev is a winger, what side will he line up on?
Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday that he and Dorofeyev are open to putting him at whichever winger spot that makes up the best line.
Mike Sullivan open to playing Pavel Dorofeyev at either winger spot this season
"I think a lot of it's going to come down to what we think is the best fit based on the combinations that we put together," said Sullivan, h/t Mollie Walker of the New York Post. "We're going to explore different options to figure out how we can create the balance that we think is necessary to win consistently, but also to set players up for success. Him included. I would anticipate probably seeing him on both sides throughout the course of the next couple of weeks."
There was debate as to whether or not the Rangers would keep their top line from late last season intact. While it was a dreadful season, the line of Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafrenière, and Gabe Perreault was incredibly productive down the stretch. So much so, that right as the season ended, the top line was at least secured.
But now with Dorofeyev in the fold, he is expected to be their primary goal scorer, much like they had with Artemi Panarin. Given his ability to shoot the puck and his contract, it's difficult to envision him anywhere other than the top line.
If Dorofeyev is on the top line, then it's a virtual lock that Zibanejad will be the center. That leaves the door open for Sullivan to choose either Lafrenière or Perreault for the final winger spot on the top line. That will probably be determined throughout training camp and the preseason, to see what combination is the most productive and shows the most chemistry.
Pavel Dorofeyev has to prove critics of Rangers contract wrong
With the contract Dorofeyev is receiving, there is going to be pressure for him to instantly put up goals. The thing is, he is joining a Rangers team that has nowhere near the star power as the Vegas Golden Knights have had during Dorofeyev's stint.
In the past two seasons, Dorofeyev put up 35 and 37 goals respectively. In Vegas' run to the Stanley Cup Final, Dorofeyev scored 12 goals, five of which were on the power play (most among all players in the playoffs). The thing is, Dorofeyev was playing along the likes of Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Ivan Barbashev, and Brett Howden during that playoff run. Long story short, the Golden Knights had an endless supply of forwards to tinker around with during the playoffs, which is why they made it as far as they did.
For the Rangers, they are navigating their future without Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, both of whom were traded this calendar year. Dorofeyev needs to be show that he can put up 35-plus goals a season in New York like he did in Vegas if the Rangers want to have any chance at contending for the playoffs again. If that doesn't happen, there will be even more criticism hurled towards general manager Chris Drury. Also, it's on Sullivan to game plan and put the players in the best chance where they can succeed and help the team win games.
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