When your best player is out for the season, and the schedule pulls no punches, key players are expected to step up. While this has been the case for a few New York Rangers on the ice, it hasn’t been true for those with much higher expectations. Youngsters like Tye Kartye and Alexis Lafrenière have certainly done everything fans could've hoped for, and Adam Fox continues doing what he does best on defense. Still, a certain newcomer has yet to amaze Rangers fans by finding the back of the net. Just 14 games in, the Rangers need their players in front now more than ever with Igor Shesterkin done for the season, and while defense remains a concern, there’s also the case of the former Golden Knight, who absolutely cannot catch a break to start the season.
The New York Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev on June 26th in exchange for two first-round picks and a third-round pick. In need of offense, Chris Drury found these Blueshirts a young goal-scorer to make up for the loss of Artemi Panarin. Finishing second in goals scored with 12 in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the former Vegas forward had high expectations heading into the 26-27 season for the Blueshirts. However, the 26-year-old still hasn't gotten much puck luck on the ice. With three goals in 14 games, he leads the Rangers with 42 shots, six of which have been robbed by the post or crossbar, and plenty more that just aren't good enough to find the back of the net. The shots are coming, but the puck luck just isn’t giving the Russian forward any breaks. While in heavy need of some defense more than ever, New York's offensive threats on the ice need to produce as well, so how can these Rangers give Dorofeyev the spark he needs?
It’s hard to imagine any Rangers fan seeing a man like Dorofeyev in the bottom six, but that horrible thought became a reality in Ottawa. While most may see this demotion as punishment for his lack of production, a few see this as head coach Mike Sullivan making any move possible to spark the young goal-scorer. Now paired with Will Cuylle and Noah Laba, the change did pay off in Ottawa, as he scored his third of the season on a pretty one-timer. As the 26-year-old Russian continues going up and down in the lineup, is it worth being more patient?
Understandably, fans have let their frustrations out early after the luck these Blueshirts have had with injuries. For Dorofeyev, it may be safe to say fans should be a bit more patient as he continues through his unlucky stretch. Knowing shots are coming is never a negative, no matter who’s playing; it just fuels the Russian winger to get even more shots on net. An NHL forward should never be afraid to shoot no matter the angle; eventually, a few will find their way to the back of the net. The former 30-goal scorer has proven time and time again in Vegas the kind of goals he can score, no matter who skates next to him on that ice. The shots will keep coming, and eventually the goals will come; all fans need is a little more patience as he finds his place in New York.
