Pavel Dorofeev Signs with Rangers
Pavel Dorofeev recently made a name for himself in the tri-state area, as he inked a seven-year deal worth $77 million with the Rangers last month.
Transitioning to a full-time NHL role last year, the Russian winger has been working with Ben Prentiss in Stamford, Connecticut, training alongside several NHL players and many of his new Rangers teammates. It’s a familiar setting for him.
Adjusting to life in Manhattan and building rapport with his fellow Blueshirts should ease Dorofeev’s transition after his trade from Las Vegas.
Securing a lucrative contract allows him to concentrate fully on hockey, which is important as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.
“Yeah, it’s great,” he expressed during a Zoom call from Russia, speaking about his new contract. “I’ve been in this area for the past year. It’s fantastic to be a Ranger. I’m really grateful to the organization for believing in me and facilitating the trade.”
Dorofeev noted that his agent, Rick Komarow, played a big role in getting Prentiss on board, and he’s pleased to be signing a long-term deal in the same region where he trained during the off-season.
At just 25, moving to a new team, state, and market can feel daunting. Yet, Dorofeev appeared confident about adapting as training camp approaches.
Coming off a remarkable season—he scored 37 goals and made 27 assists over 82 games, along with a strong playoff performance (12 goals, 16 points in 22 games)—Dorofeev now carries the responsibility of partially stepping into the role of established scorer, Artemi Panarin.
“It feels great, but I’m not one to rest on my laurels,” he said regarding his performance. “There are still aspects of my game I want to work on. I don’t dwell on past performances; I focus on what’s ahead.”
Dorofeev is anticipated to be in the top six forwards and feature on one of the two power play units.
With a record of 20 power-play goals and 30 points last season, he could certainly enhance a power play that was already in the NHL’s top five last season.
When asked if he felt any pressure to help lead the Rangers through this new alignment, Dorofeev seemed to embrace it. “I think pressure is a privilege,” he reflected. “I’ve always found pressure challenging, but I’m eager to join the team and contribute however I can.”
