Pavel Dorofeyev Embraces Pressure and Opportunity with New York Rangers

Pavel Dorofeyev arrives in New York with considerable confidence and a "lethal" attribute, ready to make an impact for the Rangers. The winger recently signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with the team, which traded three draft picks, including two first-round selections, to acquire his rights. Dorofeyev, who will not turn 26 until next month, is coming off a season where he scored the second-most goals in the postseason.

Dorofeyev's transition from Las Vegas to Broadway places him in the spotlight of a franchise that has missed the playoffs for two consecutive years and ranked 23rd in league scoring last season. He steps into a role that will largely replace the team's perennial leading scorer.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan expressed confidence in Dorofeyev's ability to handle the expectations. "In the short time I’ve gotten to know him, in the conversations I’ve had with him, just observing how he carries himself around his teammates, he’s a confident kid," Sullivan said. "He’s got a quiet confidence about him. I think he’ll handle it fine."

Dorofeyev, one of 12 players to score 35 or more goals in each of the past two seasons, has spent the summer preparing for this change. "As soon as I [learned] I was traded, I felt a lot of different feelings, but in the end I’m grateful for the opportunity that I have to be in an organization like the Rangers," Dorofeyev said. "It was a short summer, busy, a lot of changes, but at the same time it’s a great experience. I’m just having fun, and I’m happy to be here. I’m just looking forward to starting the season."

His new teammates have already taken note of his skills. "Lethal shooter," Mika Zibanejad said of Dorofeyev. "You can tell he’s strong on the puck and he puts himself in positions to shoot. … The way he’s been finding guys, too, and the way he can finish, he’ll add to the goal-scoring for us, which is going to be huge."

Zibanejad added that Dorofeyev's presence adds another threat to the Rangers' power play. "If it is him and Mika on those flanks, that’s two shooting threats to kind of pick your poison there," defenseman Adam Fox said. "Having a goal-scorer on the power play, I think that’s one of the biggest threats you can have, and he’s obviously one of the best at it. It’s definitely a nice addition for us."

Last season, Dorofeyev ranked second in the league in power-play goals with 20, trailing only Wyatt Johnston. He also recorded 10 assists on the power play.

Dorofeyev has begun training camp skating on the second line with J.T. Miller and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Coach Sullivan indicated he plans to utilize Dorofeyev at both wing positions as he determines the best fit for the lineup.

"It feels better each day, getting comfortable," Dorofeyev said. "We have a lot of skill guys, a lot of talented guys that can make great plays. I just have to be ready for the opportunity."