Rangers Should Expect a Strong Season for Dorofeyev Despite Slow Start

The New York Rangers made a big move this offseason, acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights and signing him to a seven-season, $77 million contract. Despite lofty expectations, he has gotten off to a slow start with New York, but the team should still trust him to break out of his slump and have a strong season.

Dorofeyev’s Rise With the Golden Knights

The Golden Knights drafted Dorofeyev in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft, and he made his NHL debut with them during the 2021-22 season, but played in just two games. Despite showing promise, Vegas had a lot of depth, and he did not get a lot of ice time in his first few seasons, but he made the most of his opportunities.

Dorofeyev finished with seven goals and two assists in 18 games while averaging 14:14 in ice time per game in 2022-23, and then finished with 13 goals and 11 assists in 47 games while averaging 13:17 per game in 47 games in 2023-24. Despite playing well, he was a healthy scratch for all but one playoff game in 2023-24 as the Golden Knights opted to play more physical forwards in their bottom six.

The Golden Knights gave Dorofeyev more ice time in 2024-25, and he rewarded their faith by breaking out offensively. He made smart decisions, found open space on the ice, and capitalized on his scoring chances, as he has a quick release and accurate wrist shot. He played in all 82 games and finished with 35 goals and 17 assists, including 13 goals and four assists on the power play.

Dorofeyev built on his strong play and was even better for the Golden Knights last season. He finished with 37 goals and 27 assists in 82 games and was once again excellent on the power play, finishing with 20 goals and 10 assists on the man advantage. He continued to produce in the playoffs and had 12 goals (including five power-play goals) and four assists in 22 games as Vegas made it to the Stanley Cup Final but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Reasons for Optimism This Season

There are high expectations for Dorofeyev with the Rangers after they gave up valuable assets to acquire him and then signed him to a long-term contract. He scored a goal and added an assist in New York’s 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 1, but he has just two goals and two assists in his first nine games.

Dorofeyev should be a weapon on the power play, and the Rangers have an elite playmaker in Adam Fox to set him up. The team has looked good overall, and having a great shooter like Mika Zibanejad also on the ice should help create more looks for Dorofeyev. He has had some bad luck as opposing goalies have come up with some nice saves against him, and he has hit the post. He is leading the team in shots on goal with 28, including some good looks.

Additionally, Dorofeyev was a streaky scorer with the Golden Knights, and he scored a power-play goal on a deflection in the Rangers’ 7-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 15. Though it was a rough game for New York, the hope is that the goal is a sign that the talented winger will break out of his slump. Last season, he had some amazing hot stretches, including scoring 10 goals in a span of 10 playoff games, and he scored 11 goals in a span of 13 regular season games.

Importance for the Rangers

Dorofeyev is a key player for the Rangers as they traded away star winger Artemi Panarin last season and center Vincent Trocheck this offseason. Additionally, with star goalie Igor Shesterkin out for the season, they need everyone else to step up. They are relying on Dorofeyev to produce offensively and be one of their top goal scorers, and though he is off to a slow start, he is a streaky scorer, and New York should still expect him to deliver this season.