- Pavel Dorofeyev says the pressure of his seven-year, $77 million Rangers deal is a privilege
- The 25-year-old winger set career highs with 37 goals and 64 points in Vegas last season
- Read below for what he told reporters about joining an Original Six team
Pavel Dorofeyev isn’t backing away from the expectations that come with an $11 million cap hit in New York.
The 25-year-old winger met with reporters Friday and made clear he sees the spotlight as something to enjoy. Asked about carrying the weight of his new contract, Dorofeyev framed it as a gift.
“The pressure is, it’s kind of a privilege,” he told reporters, per NHL.com. “So I’ve been dealing with the pressure all my life, and just looking forward to join the team and do my best to help in any way I can.”
The Rangers locked him up on June 30:
The seven-year, $77 million deal carries an $11 million average annual value. It came just days after Vegas traded him to New York on June 26 for the No. 26 pick, a third-round selection and a conditional 2028 first-rounder.
General manager Chris Drury didn’t hide why he went and got him.
“His unique skill set and his production, specifically in goals, is something we were in need of,” Drury said. “We targeted him and we’re thrilled to pull off the trade with Vegas.”
Dorofeyev set career highs last season with 37 goals, 27 assists and 64 points in 82 games. That goal total would have led the Rangers, who finished 23rd in the league in scoring and could use every bit of the 37 he put up.
Take a look at the draft-night trade that started it all:
He also brings a deep playoff run with him. Dorofeyev had 16 points and 12 goals in 22 postseason games last spring as Vegas reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Carolina in six.
The Rangers have missed the playoffs two years running since their trip to the 2023-24 Eastern Conference Final. New York wants his shot to fix that.
The move to Manhattan won’t be a cold start. Dorofeyev has spent the past four offseasons training at Prentiss in Stamford, Connecticut, skating alongside several current and former Rangers.
“I’ve been around the area for the past years. I know the city and all around the area,” Dorofeyev said. “It’s great to be a Ranger, and I’m thankful for the whole organization that they believe in me, and they traded for me.”
Now Dorofeyev gets to turn those summer skates in Connecticut into real nights at the Garden.
