Dorofeyev Projected to Hit Career High in Points with Rangers
Pavel Dorofeyev, acquired by the New York Rangers in a blockbuster trade, is projected to record 65 points in his first season with the team. The forward has scored at least 35 goals in each of the last two seasons and is a power-play threat. NHL.com's fantasy projections expect him to continue his strong production.
Dorofeyev's arrival in New York came via a significant trade package that sent three draft selections to Vegas, including two first-round picks, before the Rangers even made their own first-round selection. The 26-year-old winger has been remarkably consistent since becoming a full-time NHL player in 2024-25, tallying 72 goals and 484 shots on goal across that span. His power-play production places him among the league's elite, trailing only Dallas's Wyatt Johnston in that category over the past two seasons.
The Rangers' special teams unit finished fifth in the league last season at 24.7 percent efficiency, and Dorofeyev is expected to slot into the first power-play grouping previously anchored by Artemi Panarin. He will join a supporting cast featuring Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, and Alexis Lafreniere, giving him ample playmaking support despite concerns about his own passing ability after leaving linemates Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner in Vegas.
This trade and projection could reshape expectations for Rangers fans, who may measure Dorofeyev's $11 million annual salary against his 65-point projection. The signing signals the franchise's win-now approach, potentially raising pressure on both the player and front office. Fantasy hockey participants and sports media analysts may also adjust their rankings accordingly. If Dorofeyev meets or exceeds projections, it could validate aggressive roster-building strategies across the league; if he underperforms, it may prompt broader scrutiny of how teams evaluate goal-scorers in new systems.