Rangers season preview: Dorofeyev's offense, better starts key to playoff return

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the New York Rangers.

Last season: 34-39-9, eighth in Metropolitan Division; missed Stanley Cup Playoffs

Coach: Mike Sullivan (second season)

Biggest challenge

The Rangers had a busy offseason with some notable additions and subtractions. They could have seven players in their lineup when the season gets underway who were acquired in the offseason; forwards Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Eeli Tolvanen and Joe Veleno, and defensemen Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson and Alberts Smits. Training camp is shorter because of the new 84-game schedule, so time is of the essence to establish chemistry and figure out who fits where. In addition, New York must be a harder team to play against on home ice at the start of the season or will be chasing early and run into the same issues as last season. The Rangers went off the rails right away due to historic struggles at Madison Square Garden, setting a franchise record by losing their first seven home games (0-6-1) and getting shut out in five. They won just six of their first 25 home games (6-15-4), essentially knocking them out of the playoff race with almost two months still to play. Getting the new players comfortable and establishing roles to build chemistry early will play a role in getting off to a strong start, especially at home, where they play 10 of their first 17 games.

How they make playoffs

As mentioned, a better home record is a must, and goalie Igor Shesterkin also has to be a Vezina Trophy candidate. New York's new second defense pair of Durzi and Pettersson must be formidable, playing strong minutes behind the top pair of Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov. Noah Laba has to step up and log some of the tough minutes that center Vincent Trocheck used to play for the Rangers, including on defensive-zone draws and the penalty kill. Dorofeyev has to be one of the League's top goal-scorers, and Gabe Perreault has to build on his strong finish to last season, when he had 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in the last 23 games. On top of all of that, the Rangers have to raise the bar early in games. They can't chase the game as often as they did last season, when they were tied for 20th in first-period goal differential (minus-11). They were minus-14 overall, which shows that they improved as the game went along, but 32 times they entered the first intermission on the wrong side of the scoreboard. They came back to win only five of those games (5-22-5). The League average for games trailing after the first period was 26.5. Flipping their first periods into a positive goal differential will lead to a better chance of being a playoff team, provided they can maintain consistency as the game progresses.

Most intriguing addition

Is Dorofeyev the Rangers' new version of Artemi Panarin? That might be a stretch because Dorofeyev is not the playmaker Panarin was in New York for the better part of seven seasons before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings last season. But Dorofeyev is a goal-scorer. He's a finisher. That is why the Rangers got him in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and why he's making $11 million per season on a seven-year, $77 million contract. Dorofeyev scored 37 goals for the Golden Knights last season and 12 more in the playoffs. He has been playing on a line with J.T. Miller and Bjorkstrand so far in training camp. Miller can be a distributor and plays a down low game. The hope is that works for Dorofeyev, who has pressure on him to produce in a big way, especially on the power play, where he could be in the right face-off circle opposite Mika Zibanejad in the left, giving the Rangers shooting options on each flank.

Biggest potential surprise

Smits is uniquely suited as an 18-year-old defenseman to make the final roster out of training camp. Smits, selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft less than three months ago, played for Team Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics and the 2026 IIHF World Championship, and split last season playing in the top pro leagues in Finland and Germany. He has NHL size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and experience playing in high-leverage games with and against some of the best players in the world. He is getting an early look on the third defense pair, playing next to Braden Schneider. He has looked the part so far, especially because of his physical stature. If he doesn't make the NHL roster, Smits most likely will be sent to Hartford of the American Hockey League, which means he would be a callup away from starting his NHL career.

Ready to contribute

Jaroslav Chmelar provided a spark and was a bright spot for the Rangers late last season. He could have an impact from the start; Chmelar played in the last 22 games after being recalled from Hartford. He had six points (four goals, two assists) and averaged 9:30 of ice time in a fourth-line role, showcasing his skating, strength on the puck and physicality away from it. He is at this point penciled in on the fourth line, potentially with newcomer Joe Veleno and Tye Kartye.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Gabe Perreault, F: He had 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists), six on the power play, in 49 games as a rookie last season. When he became a regular in the lineup from March 1 to the end of the season, he was among New York’s leaders in points (19 in 23 games; fourth), goals (nine; third), even-strength goals (seven; tied for most), even-strength points (15; tied for most) and shots on goal (41; fourth). Per NHL EDGE stats, Perreault ranked in the 93rd percentile among forwards in long-range goals (two) last season. The No. 23 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft could bring exposure to Zibanejad and Dorofeyev on the top line this season and is a fantasy breakout candidate attainable in later rounds (average draft position: 128.0). -- Chris Meaney

Projected lineup

Gabe Perreault -- Mika Zibanejad -- Alexis Lafreniere

Pavel Dorofeyev -- J.T. Miller -- Oliver Bjorkstrand

Will Cuylle -- Noah Laba -- Eeli Tolvanen

Tye Kartye -- Joe Veleno -- Jaroslav Chmelar

Vladislav Gavrikov -- Adam Fox

Marcus Pettersson -- Sean Durzi

Alberts Smits -- Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin

Joonas Korpisalo