Pavel Dorofeyev is settling into a new chapter with the New York Rangers, having recently signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with the team. This move comes after his first career trade from the Vegas Golden Knights. Dorofeyev has prior familiarity with the Tri-State Area, having trained with Ben Prentiss in Stamford, Connecticut, alongside numerous NHL players, including several from the Rangers.
"It’s great to be a Ranger. I’m thankful for the whole organization that they believed in me and they traded for me," Dorofeyev stated in a recent interview. He credits his agent for facilitating his training regimen in the area, which has allowed him to build connections with his new teammates and the region.
Coming off a career season where he recorded 37 goals and 27 assists in 82 games, and a strong playoff performance with 12 goals and 16 points in 22 games, Dorofeyev is expected to help fill the offensive production left by the departure of Artemi Panarin. His previous season also saw him set career highs with 20 power-play goals and 30 power-play points, suggesting he can bolster the Rangers' already top-five power play unit.
Dorofeyev expressed a positive outlook on the pressure associated with joining a team in a retooling phase. "I think pressure is kind of a privilege," he said. "I’ve been dealing with pressure all my life. I’m just looking forward to join the team and do my best helping any way I can."
The winger's transition is expected to be smoother due to his existing comfort with the area and some of his new teammates. With his contract secured, Dorofeyev is focused on hockey as he prepares to integrate fully into the Rangers roster for the upcoming season.