theathleticuk
The New York Rangers' defensive corps has been significantly bolstered with the acquisitions of Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson, and the goaltending remains a cornerstone with Igor Shesterkin. However, the team's path back to the Stanley Cup playoffs, which they last reached in 2024, hinges on the production of a forward unit that has undergone a substantial overhaul since the start of the previous season.
In February, team president and general manager Chris Drury traded Artemi Panarin, a 34-year-old winger renowned for his playmaking and offensive output. Then, on July 1, Drury dealt Vincent Trocheck, who had served as the second-line center since his signing in July 2022. These departures represent significant voids in a forward group that already struggled to generate offense last season.
To compensate, Drury and coach Mike Sullivan are banking on internal development from young talents like Alexis Lafreniere and Gabe Perreault, along with substantial contributions from trade acquisition Pavel Dorofeyev, who inked a seven-year, $77 million extension. Free-agent signing Oliver Bjorkstrand also emerges as a potential top-six candidate.
Previously, Sullivan had the luxury of deploying either Mika Zibanejad or J.T. Miller on the wing alongside Trocheck. That flexibility has vanished, as Zibanejad and Miller are now locked in as the top two centers, leaving Sullivan to determine their wingers. Here are four possible configurations and the associated advantages and drawbacks.
Scenario 1: Logic Prevails
Pavel Dorofeyev-Mika Zibanejad-Alexis Lafreniere; Gabe Perreault-J.T. Miller-Oliver Bjorkstrand. Dorofeyev, who netted at least 35 goals in each of the last two seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, possesses elite finishing ability and thrives alongside playmakers. This could mesh well with Zibanejad, who led returning Rangers forwards in driving play. Lafreniere, the 2020 No. 1 pick, finished the season strongly on Zibanejad's wing, and he and Dorofeyev could form a dynamic duo. This is a pivotal year for Lafreniere, as no one now blocks his path to increased five-on-five and power-play ice time. If he can combine his improved puck retrieval with the high-danger passing he displayed in 2023-24, New York's outlook brightens considerably.
Bjorkstrand, like Dorofeyev, is a willing shooter who could benefit from a linemate with excellent distribution skills. Perreault, who recorded 27 points in 49 games as a rookie, is celebrated for his vision and playmaking, making him a potential ideal partner for Bjorkstrand. Perreault is poised for significant opportunities, and the Rangers are heavily invested in his development, as he stands as one of their few young forwards with high offensive upside.
Scenario 2: Surging Top Line Stays Together
Gabe Perreault-Mika Zibanejad-Alexis Lafreniere; Will Cuylle-J.T. Miller-Pavel Dorofeyev. The Perreault-Zibanejad-Lafreniere line outscored opponents 14-10 at five-on-five last season, so preserving that trio could build on existing chemistry. The question is whether enough playmaking remains for the rest of the lineup. The answer may hinge on Miller, who endured an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign, posting 17 goals and 53 points in 68 games. He has demonstrated offensive prowess previously, tallying 103 points in 2023-24 with the Vancouver Canucks. While expecting a return to those heights is unrealistic, a bounce-back from Miller could allow the Perreault-Zibanejad-Lafreniere line to remain intact while still providing Dorofeyev with a productive line.
Cuylle appeared unready for a top-six role last season and might be better suited as a strong third-liner. However, if Sullivan revisits that experiment, Cuylle and Miller could form a formidable duo, retrieving pucks and creating chances for Dorofeyev with their net-front presence and ability to screen goalies or clean up rebounds. Neither Cuylle nor Miller matches the offensive caliber of Vegas's Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel, with whom Dorofeyev played significant minutes, but Dorofeyev still scored 35 goals in 2024-25 while primarily centering a line with Tomas Hertl and no star. Dorofeyev can play either wing, so Sullivan could also pair him with Bjorkstrand and Miller, keeping Cuylle in the bottom six.
Scenario 3: Even Things Out
Oliver Bjorkstrand-Mika Zibanejad-Alexis Lafreniere; Gabe Perreault-J.T. Miller-Pavel Dorofeyev. This configuration offers perhaps the most balance, with various permutations possible. Lafreniere is a left shot, but Sullivan was hesitant to play him on the left last year. If the coach prefers keeping the right-shot Bjorkstrand on his dominant side, a Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Bjorkstrand line could work. Cuylle could also be elevated to this line if the Rangers want Bjorkstrand to add scoring depth to the bottom six, where he might be better suited on a deeper team. If Zibanejad's line draws the toughest matchups, a Perreault-Miller-Dorofeyev line could capitalize offensively, with Perreault's continued growth potentially setting up Dorofeyev in prime scoring areas.
Scenario 4: A Wild Card to Watch
Pavel Dorofeyev-Mika Zibanejad-Alexis Lafreniere; Gabe Perreault-J.T. Miller-Liam Greentree. This mirrors the first scenario but inserts Greentree as a wild card. Expecting Greentree to be ready for top-six minutes this season is unrealistic, but the Rangers would welcome him or another prospect—such as Cole Beaudoin or Adam Sykora—proving ready to move up the lineup. Greentree, acquired in the Panarin trade from the Los Angeles Kings, had a stellar 2024-25 season with OHL Windsor, scoring 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games. His production dipped last season, partly due to Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas turning pro, yet he still managed 38 goals and 74 points in 52 games. Nathan Aspinall, a 2024 fifth-round pick who played for OHL Flint, also shows offensive promise with 33 goals and 94 points in 65 games. While expecting a prospect to jump into the top six is unrealistic, there might be a scenario where one gets an opportunity late in the season, especially if New York again finds itself out of playoff contention. Sykora, for instance, played in the top six during his NHL debut last season.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.