A quick look at the stats and game highlights show you what a big deal it is that the New York Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev in a draft-day trade with the Vegas Golden Knights two weeks ago.
The 25-year-old is the in-his-prime goal scorer the Rangers desperately needed after finishing 23rd among 32 NHL teams in scoring (235 goals) last season. Dorofeyev combined for 72 goals the past two seasons, leading the Golden Knights with 37 in 2025-26 and 35 the year prior. He added 12 goals this past postseason, a big reason why the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.
That he's productive on the power play and at even strength is a major plus, too. Dorofeyev was second in the League with 20 power-play goals last season, In 2024-25, 22 of his 35 goals were at even strength, with 13 more on the power play.
"He's the type player, you don't get him to help your power play, you get him for the well-rounded offensive player that he is," MSG Networks studio host Steve Valiquette explained Thursday on The Rangers Offseason Special. "He's not a play-driver as a play-maker, but he's a sniper and one of the League's best."
Clearly the Rangers agree. They traded two first-round picks, including No. 26 overall this year, and a third-rounder to acquire Dorofeyev. Then they signed him to a hefty seven-year, $77 million contract.
The 25-year-old is the in-his-prime goal scorer the Rangers desperately needed after finishing 23rd among 32 NHL teams in scoring (235 goals) last season. Dorofeyev combined for 72 goals the past two seasons, leading the Golden Knights with 37 in 2025-26 and 35 the year prior. He added 12 goals this past postseason, a big reason why the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.
That he's productive on the power play and at even strength is a major plus, too. Dorofeyev was second in the League with 20 power-play goals last season, In 2024-25, 22 of his 35 goals were at even strength, with 13 more on the power play.
"He's the type player, you don't get him to help your power play, you get him for the well-rounded offensive player that he is," MSG Networks studio host Steve Valiquette explained Thursday on The Rangers Offseason Special. "He's not a play-driver as a play-maker, but he's a sniper and one of the League's best."
Clearly the Rangers agree. They traded two first-round picks, including No. 26 overall this year, and a third-rounder to acquire Dorofeyev. Then they signed him to a hefty seven-year, $77 million contract.
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