Rangers News & Rumors: Tolvanen, Iorio, Fox & More

The New York Rangers are hoping to have a much stronger season after a rough 2025-26 campaign. They made a lot of changes this offseason, bringing in Pavel Dorofeyev and giving him a massive extension, trading Vincent Trocheck and adding Sean Durzi, among some other moves.

Fans are split down the middle as to whether the Rangers will be competitive this season, but they seem poised to finally make it back to the postseason and push for their first Stanley Cup since 1994.

As the regular season approaches, this edition of Rangers News and Rumors will go over a new signing, as well as some questions surrounding the team.

Rangers Announce Eeli Tolvanen Signing

One of the best remaining free agents, Eeli Tolvanen, is now off the board as the Rangers announced they had signed him to a one-year contract.

IT'S TOLVY TIME IN NYC ⏰

We've agreed to terms with forward Eeli Tolvanen on a one-year contract → https://t.co/e8IIsP5RB6 pic.twitter.com/UglcMZ0eZs

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 2, 2026

Tolvanen, who is 27 years old, spent last season with the Seattle Kraken, where he scored 12 goals and added 24 assists for 36 points through 78 games. Through 423 career games, he has scored 92 goals and added 98 assists for 190 points, which comes out to a 0.45 points-per-game average.

Vincent Iorio: What Will His Role Be?

The Rangers re-signed Vincent Iorio to a new one-year deal in August.

He was claimed off waivers by the Rangers last season after spending part of the campaign with the San Jose Sharks, and through 27 games combined between the two teams, he notched three assists.

While Iorio, who is just 23 years old, has the potential to be a solid top-four defender, he hasn’t been able to establish himself at the NHL level. This season, though, might put him in a tough situation to be able to prove himself.

The Rangers have eight defensemen, not including Alberts Smits, who will be fighting for a roster spot on opening night. Right now, it seems like Iorio could end up being passed through waivers, unless he beats out one of Urho Vaakanainen or Matthew Robertson for the seventh spot.

Barring an incredible preseason, it seems likely that the Rangers risk putting him through waivers, but even if he makes the team, his role will likely be as a bottom-pairing or seventh defender.

Adam Fox Trade Rumors Have to Stop

This is going to be short and sweet, but the idea that the Rangers should consider moving on from Adam Fox, unless he requests a trade, is ridiculous.

His name has been tossed around in speculation; some fans have been calling for him to be moved for a while, and it doesn’t make sense. He is arguably a top-five defensemen in the NHL, and will be a key piece to the Rangers’ success, should they have any this season.

He shouldn’t be traded.

Alexis Lafreniere: Make or Break Campaign?

Alexis Lafreniere is coming off a solid campaign, having scored 24 goals and adding 33 assists for 57 points through 82 games last season, but some fans still call him a bust.

The reality is, the pressure on a first overall pick is always a lot, and considering he only has 250 points through 462 career games, there is some reason to question whether he can take another step forward offensively.

What doesn’t show up in the stats is how strong a player Lafreniere is away from the puck. He does the little things well, doesn’t rely on the power play to get points, creates offensive opportunities at a decent rate, draws penalties, and has a solid defensive game.

While his production doesn’t jump off the page as elite, this shouldn’t be viewed as a make-or-break campaign for Lafreniere. He is an effective young player who can help the Rangers fight their way back into contention within the next couple of seasons.

Unless they are blown away with a trade offer, there is no reason Lafreniere should be traded, and he should be given the confidence before the season starts so he doesn’t have to worry about being moved.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.