Rangers Retool After Missing Playoffs, Bank on Dorofeyev

The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, finishing eighth in the Metropolitan with 77 points. General manager Chris Drury responded by moving out Vincent Trocheck and bringing in Pavel Dorofeyev on a seven-year deal, adding Joe Veleno and Dennis Cholowski in free agency. The moves address scoring depth and create flexibility, but the core questions around goaltending consistency and defensive structure remain.

Last season in review

The Rangers went 34-39-9 and were outscored 250 to 238. Mika Zibanejad led the team with 78 points on 34 goals and 44 assists. Dorofeyev, acquired late in the season, posted 37 goals and 64 points. Alexis Lafrenière added 57 points. Igor Shesterkin finished 25-19-6 with a .912 save percentage, a step back from his Vezina form. The offense was inconsistent, the defense leaked chances, and the goaltending could not bail them out often enough.

Ins and outs

• In: Pavel Dorofeyev (signed seven-year, $77 million extension)
• In: Joe Veleno (signed as a free agent)
• In: Dennis Cholowski (signed as a free agent)
• Out: Vincent Trocheck (traded to Utah)

Quentin Dolan was named president, chief operating officer, and alternate governor.

The big question

Can Igor Shesterkin return to elite form? His .912 save percentage last season was the lowest of his career as a full-time starter. If he rebounds, the Rangers can compete. If he does not, the roster upgrades may not matter.

X-factor

Pavel Dorofeyev. The 25-year-old winger scored 37 goals after arriving in New York and immediately signed a seven-year, $77 million extension. If he sustains that production over a full season alongside Zibanejad or Lafrenière, the Rangers have a legitimate top-six threat. If he regresses, they overpaid.

Bold prediction

The Rangers finish fourth in the Metropolitan and return to the playoffs. Dorofeyev scores 35 goals, Shesterkin's save percentage climbs back above .920, and the additions of Veleno and Cholowski stabilize the depth.

The outlook

The Rangers open the season on the road against the Boston Bruins on September 29. They have added talent and cleared some cap space, but the margin for error is thin. If Shesterkin and Dorofeyev deliver, they can climb back into contention. If not, this retool may take another summer.