The New York Rangers entered this offseason desperately needing a scoring forward. But looking at the free agency market, there weren’t any great options, leaving Rangers fans a bit pessimistic that they’d be able to improve the offense. But on the first night of the NHL Draft, before the team was on the clock with the fifth overall pick, the Rangers made a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights to acquire Pavel Dorofeyev in exchange for multiple draft picks, including two first-rounders.
With Dorofeyev under contract for the next seven years with an $11 million annual cap hit, the expectations are that he will be a consistent force in the Rangers’ top six forward group. He’s shown he can put up more than 30 goals a season during the past two seasons with the Golden Knights. But he’ll have to prove that his statistics were due to his skill, not because of Vegas’ strong roster.
On Thursday, Rangers fans received a bit of a preview of what Dorofeyev could do on the power play.
During the Shoulder Check Showcase, Dorofeyev scored a goal on a backhand pass from new teammate Adam Fox. This could be a preview of the Rangers powerplay connection between Fox and Dorofeyev entering this season.
Adam Fox ➡️ Pavel Dorofeyev ➡️ 🚨
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) July 30, 2026
A sight @NYRangers fans could get used to seeing!
📺: Shoulder Check Showcase on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/LJYfOdSxS2
Pavel Dorofeyev and Adam Fox showcase connection before Rangers' 2026-27 season
Yes, this was an offseason exhibition game, but still, it's hard not to get excited about the potential this duo can bring on the power play.
As Rangers fans know, Fox is not only the team's best defenseman, but he is the quarterback on their top power play unit. Even though Fox was limited to 55 games this past season, he tied for the ninth-most power play points among all defensemen with 24. That's how impactful Fox is when New York has the extra skater advantage.
Dorofeyev, meanwhile, showed that he is a legitimate threat on the power play this past season. In 82 games, Dorofeyev recorded 20 power play goals, which is the second most among all skaters, only behind Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars, who had 27. In the playoffs, Dorofeyev scored five power play goals, which is the most among all skaters.
The Rangers power play unit was already one of the most productive this past season without Dorofeyev. Now, by adding him, the production should improve even further.
Rangers are banking on Pavel Dorofeyev's production to pan out
Sure, having the likes of Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Mitch Marner as teammates certainly helps, but the Rangers have belief that he is not a product of the Golden Knights, and rather, it's his own skill. That's why the Rangers gave up two first-round picks and signed him to a $77 million contract extension.
It will be interesting to see if Dorofeyev ends up on the top line to replace Alexis Lafreniere or Gabe Perreault, or if he'll end up on the second line with J.T. Miller. Given the connection he showed off with Fox in this charity exhibition game, it's difficult to envision him not being on the top line or top power play unit.
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