Rangers Unveil New Power Play Look with Focus on 'Difference-Maker' Unit

The New York Rangers commenced their training camp by showcasing a revamped power play unit, a critical component that head coach Mike Sullivan believes can significantly impact the team's performance this season. The initial practice on Monday featured familiar faces like defenseman Adam Fox quarterbacking the top unit and forward Mika Zibanejad on his signature one-timer flank. J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafrenière, who were part of the successful No. 5-ranked power play unit from the previous season, also returned to their roles.

Notably, the new look includes forward Pavel Dorofeyev, a left-handed shot, stepping in for the right-handed Vincent Trocheck. Defenseman Sean Durzi, acquired in the trade that sent Trocheck to another team, was seen leading the second unit alongside Gabe Perreault, Will Cuylle, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Eeli Tolvanen. "The power play was one of the bright spots of our team last year fairly consistently," Sullivan stated after the practice. "It took us a little while to get it going [at] the beginning of the year versus after that. I thought the second half of the year in particular was excellent."

Sullivan acknowledged the shift from a right-handed to a left-handed shot would necessitate adjustments but expressed confidence in the players' capabilities. "We lost a right-handed shot versus a lefty, and that’s gonna change some of the things that we do with it. But very capable guys. I think they have an opportunity to be very impactful for our team."

The Rangers' power play experienced a notable resurgence in the 2025-2026 season under Sullivan and assistant coach David Quinn, climbing significantly after dipping to No. 28 in the league in the final year under former coach Peter Laviolette. The first unit's alignment featured Miller in the bumper role and Lafrenière at the net front, a position where he demonstrated effectiveness late last season. Dorofeyev, who recorded 20 power-play goals last year with the Golden Knights, was positioned on the flank. Early drills saw Zibanejad and Lafrenière scoring, indicating immediate chemistry.

"To be away from it for so long and then coming back and feeling like it’s kinda clicking, it was good," Zibanejad commented. "Obviously will be up and down throughout the season and score when we don’t deserve it and not score when we probably deserve it a little bit more. We know the story. We know how this usually works."

In a separate announcement, the Rangers revealed they will wear a Garden of Dreams Foundation patch as their official jersey patch for the upcoming season, replacing the "Game 7" patch associated with Mark Messier from the 2025-26 season. "It was an honor to have Game 7 as our Jersey Patch Partner last season, given our relationship with Rangers legend Mark Messier, and look forward to featuring the Foundation this year," a team spokesperson said.