New York Rangers News

New York secured their top-six forward of the future on Friday after the team announced they had acquired Pavel Dorofeyev from the Golden Knights for the No.26 overall pick, the No.92 overall pick, and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. Moments after the trade New York announced they had signed Dorofeyev to a seven-year contract worth $11.0M AAV ($77.0M total). The 25-year-old is coming off a career season where he posted career highs in goals (37), assists (27), points (64), PPG (20) and PPP (30) across 82 games played.

Trudeau's time in Montreal is done after four minor league seasons with Laval (AHL) after the 23-year-old defensemen was traded to New York for Brett Berard on Friday. Trudeau was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (113th overall) and put up a combined 90 points across four seasons in the AHL. He is expected to compete for one of New York's final defensive spots out of training camp.

After 36 appearances with Hartford (AHL) in 2025-26, Dylan Garand has earned himself a two-year contract extension to remain with the Rangers. The 24-year-old will be given a chance to compete for New York's back up role after an impressive three game appearance last season where he posted a 2-0-1 record with a 1.62 GAA and .948 SV%>

Oliver Kapanen is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday in Game Three, allowing Veleno to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 9:40 time-on-ice, recording 15 hits and one assist in six games this postseason.

It's unclear if Veleno is out with an undisclosed injury or is simply a healthy scratch. Veleno has zero goals and one assist in six games this post-season. Oliver Kapanen will draw into the lineup in his place.

Brendan Gallagher will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Veleno to enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno has not played in nearly three weeks. He had five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games this season.

Utah's Head Coach Andre Tourigny insisted there were several game-time decisions heading into Friday's Game Six. He did not mention Mikhail Sergachev or Sean Durzi by name, but they were notably absent from the team's morning skate, suggesting their status may be uncertain. The 27-year-old Durzi is averaging 17:07 time-on-ice and has two assists through five games this postseason.

Durzi was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Mammoth not announcing his absence prior to warmups. It's unknown whether his status for Utah's round one matchup against the Golden Knights is in jeopardy.

Garand made his NHL debut last month and will tend the twine in the Rangers' final game of the season, an indication that the team is eyeing him as their full-time backup goalie in 2026-27. The 23-year-old Garand has been excellent in limited action at the NHL level, posting a stellar 1.44 GAA and .954 SV% in two games (1-0-1). The Rangers enter Wednesday's contest as +132 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team awaiting their first-round playoff matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.

Jonny Brodzinski will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Raddysh to re-enter the lineup. The 28-year-old Raddysh is averaging 11:53 time-on-ice and has 19 points (9G / 10A) in 67 games this season.

Garand made his NHL debut last month and will tend the twine in the Rangers' final game of the season, an indication that the team is eyeing him as their full-time backup goalie in 2026-27. The 23-year-old Garand has been excellent in limited action at the NHL level, posting a stellar 1.44 GAA and .954 SV% in two games (1-0-1). The Rangers enter Wednesday's contest as +132 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team awaiting their first-round playoff matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.

Veleno was a healthy scratch for Montreal's previous contest but will draw back into the lineup for their final game of the season on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The 26-year-old has struggled to produce in a bottom-six role in his first season in Montreal, with just two goals, four points and a -12 plus/minus in 60 games played.

With Drew Fortescue drawing back into New York's lineup on Monday in Florida, Urho Vaakanainen will be the odd-man out and a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old stay-at-home defensemen has appeared in 80 games with the Rangers in the last two seasons, but has only managed two goals and 21 points.

Fortescue was a healthy scratch for New York's previous game but will draw back into the lineup for Urho Vaakanainen vs. Florida on Monday. Fortescue made his NHL debut on March 27th and has adapted well to the highest level of hockey, with two assists, four PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in seven games played.