The New York Rangers on Friday acquired forward Pavel Dorofeyev, the Vegas Golden Knights' leading goal scorer from last season, immediately agreeing to a long-term deal with the restricted free agent.
The trade, announced by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at the podium of the draft in Buffalo, New York, sent Vegas Friday's No. 26 pick, as well as No. 92 later in the draft. New York also shipped its 2028 first-round selection, which is top-10 protected, to land Dorofeyev, a 25-year-old winger, who led the Golden Knights with 37 goals in 82 games last season and 27 assists.
The Rangers then agreed to a seven-year contract with Dorofeyev, at $11 million per season, sources told ESPN, confirming a report.
This past season was Dorofeyev's second straight in leading Vegas in goals, having scored 32 times in 2024-25. And this past postseason, when the Knights lost in the Stanley Cup Final, he had 12 goals and 16 points in 22 games, though he only had two goals in Vegas' final eight games.
Dorofeyev, who would have had arbitration rights in restricted free agency, said his next contract wasn't on his mind during the postseason.
"My job is to just go there and play hockey," Dorofeyev said. "I'm not thinking about it. My parents, my agent, everybody around me? That's their job, not mine."
Dorofeyev gives the Rangers some additional scoring on the wing, as they seek to bolster a team that finished 23rd in goals per game last season (2.87).
On the Vegas side, in a flurry of moves late into the night in Buffalo, the Golden Knights eventually moved the Rangers' No. 26 pick to the Montreal Canadiens. Vegas landed the No. 28 pick, in return, as well as a 2027 third-round selection for New York's slot. They then acquired No. 29, along with No. 117 this weekend, from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for No. 28. And ultimately, at No. 29, Vegas chose defenseman Juho Piiparinen from Finland.