Pavel Dorofeyev just got paid, and he knows exactly what comes with it.
The 25-year-old winger landed a seven-year, $77 million deal with the New York Rangers after being traded from Vegas in exchange for a pile of draft picks. That kind of money on a historic franchise like the Rangers? It comes with a spotlight he’s not pretending to ignore.
“The pressure is, it’s kind of a privilege,” Dorofeyev told NHL.com’s Bill Price. “So I’ve been dealing with the pressure all my life, and yeah, I mean, just looking forward to join the team and do my best to help in any way I can.”
He’s not wrong. The Rangers were dead last in the Eastern Conference last season and ranked 23rd in the league in goals per game. They needed someone who can put the puck in the net, and they paid like it.
The Numbers That Got Him Here
Dorofeyev didn’t come out of nowhere. Taken 79th overall in the 2019 draft, he cracked the NHL full-time in 2021-22. But it was the last two years that made him a rich man. He scored 35 goals with 17 assists in 2024-25, then followed that up with 37 goals and 27 assists this past season. In the playoffs, he added 12 more goals and four assists.
That’s two straight 30-goal seasons. That’s production. And for a Rangers team that struggled to score consistently, that might be the difference between another lottery pick and sneaking back into the playoff picture.
Already Feeling at Home
Dorofeyev has spent time in the area over the years, and he’s been training this offseason in Stamford, Connecticut with Ben Prentiss. Working out alongside current and former Rangers has helped the transition feel natural.
“I’ve been around the area for the past years. I know the city and all around the area,” he said. “It’s great to be a Ranger, and I’m thankful for the whole organization that they believe in me, and they traded for me. (Getting acclimated) is going to be a little bit easier for me now.”
That familiarity could matter. New York isn’t for everyone, and some players take years to adjust to the market. Dorofeyev might skip that part.
More Moves Coming
The Rangers didn’t stop with Dorofeyev. They also traded for defenseman Marcus Pettersson this offseason, another piece in what looks like a full-court press to bounce back in 2026-27. General manager Chris Drury had a rough year last season with the roster drama and the coaching change, but the checkbook is out now.
Dorofeyev’s deal carries a $11 million average annual value. That’s top-line money. That’s the kind of contract that brings expectations every single night. He seems fine with that.
“The pressure is, it’s kind of a privilege.”
Leave a Comment