Following the offseason trade that brought Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers from the Vegas Golden Knights, the main focus has shifted to determining his ideal linemate. Pairing him with the right center is crucial to unlocking his scoring potential, especially considering his back-to-back seasons with over 30 goals while playing primarily alongside Jack Eichel.
During two days of training camp, the Rangers have been testing Dorofeyev on a line with J.T. Miller. While some might think Mika Zibanejad would be a better fit, having Miller as a winger offers notable advantages. Miller’s previous career-high of 103 points in the 2023-24 season came largely while skating with Brock Besser, who scored 40 goals that year, demonstrating Miller’s talent for boosting his linemates’ offensive output.
Dorofeyev praised Miller, calling him a great competitor from whom he can learn. He added that it will take time to develop chemistry, but they are confident it will happen eventually. For Miller, whose offensive numbers have dipped since his peak season, playing alongside Dorofeyev could be the key to regaining his scoring touch. Miller expressed excitement about the pairing, mentioning he aims to create space for Dorofeyev and contribute to his success.
In training camp, Dorofeyev has been working on the right side, with Oliver Bjorkstrand on the left, and the coaching staff plans to experiment with him at both wing positions. This versatility is important, especially as head coach Gerard Gallant indicated they will try various configurations over the coming weeks to find the best balance—both for winning and setting up players for success. Dorofeyev himself is open to playing on either side, which provides the team with additional flexibility.
His addition is expected to boost the Rangers’ five-on-five performance and enhance their power play, filling the gap left by Artemi Panarin, although the two have distinct styles of play. In Vegas, Dorofeyev primarily operated on the right wing, where he recorded 20 power-play goals last season, so he’s prepared to contribute wherever the coach needs him.
The seven-year, $77 million contract he signed with the Rangers has certainly raised expectations—an increase from his previous role with the Golden Knights—adding pressure to his shoulders. However, head coach Mike Sullivan expressed confidence in Dorofeyev’s ability to handle these new demands, noting the player’s quiet confidence and maturity.
Fan Take: This development excites hockey fans because it signals the Rangers are making strategic moves to strengthen their offense and create dynamic line combinations. If Dorofeyev can live up to his potential, it could energize New York’s attack and add a new layer of excitement to the team’s gameplay this season.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
