The 22-year-old Morrow has not yet established himself as a full-time NHL player but has high expectations after brief stints with the Carolina Hurricanes. He had six points (1G / 5A) in 14 games with the Hurricanes last season. He could be poised to take a more regular role with the Rangers in the 2025-26 season.
Cholowski was a first-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but has not been able to establish himself as a full-time NHL player, playing more than 16 games only once in his previous five seasons. Still, he has a respectable 40 points (13G / 27A) in 156 career games as an NHL defenseman.
Cuylle had a breakout 2024-25 season, emerging as one of the league's better power forwards, earning himself a two-year, $3.9 million AAV contract extension with the Rangers. The 23-year-old Cuylle had a career-high 45 points (20G / 25A) in 82 games last season while being amongst the league leaders with 301 hits.
Dowling played a career-high 52 games with the New Jersey Devils last season, scoring seven points (2G / 5A). The 34-year-old forward has played 152 career games and will likely continue his role as a depth forward, battling for lineup deployment with the Rangers.
One of the biggest free agency targets is off the board after New York announced Tuesday that they have signed Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal worth $7.0M AAV ($49.0M total). The 29-year-old stay-at-home defenseman finished 22nd in the NHL in plus/minus (+26) in 2024-25 while averaging 23:05 TOI and putting up five goals and 30 points.
After being acquired from Chicago earlier in the week (for Andre Burakovsky), Joe Veleno has been placed on unconditional waivers by Seattle for the purposes of a buyout. The 25-year-old forward is in the 2nd year of a 2-year, $4.55 million contract and will incur a hit of $2,275,000 AAV in the 2025-26 season.
Robertson was a second-round pick in 2019 and made his NHL debut during the 2024-25 season, appearing in two games with the Rangers. He spent most of the season with Hartford (AHL), where he had one goal and 24 assists (25 points) in 60 games. Robertson will likely be in a battle for the No.6 defenseman spot in training camp.
After appearing in 42 games in his Sophomore season, Matt Rempe has signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension ($975,000 AAV) with New York on the first day of the offseason. The 22-year-old towering bruiser was originally New York's 2020 6th-round pick (165th overall) and has four goals, six points, 138 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 59 career NHL games played.
Morrow will make his playoff debut on Tuesday in place of Jalen Chatfield (lower-body). Morrow appeared in 14 games this season, registering one goal and five assists.
Raddysh has played in the last two games but it looks like Ryan Leonard will replace him in the lineup for Game 4. Raddysh has just one assist, six shots and 11 hits in six playoff games.
Dorofeyev has missed Vegas' previous three games due to an undisclosed injury and will remain out for Game 2 despite taking part in the morning skate on Thursday. The 24-year-old's absence makes a big loss as he usually occupies Vegas' top power-play unit. In five playoff games before his injury, he had a goal, two points and 18 SOG.
Raddysh was a healthy scratch for Washington's previous three games but is expected to draw back into the Capitals' lineup for Game 2 on Thursday. The 27-year-old winger has only produced one assist in four playoff games this year after collecting 27 points in 80 games played during the regular season.
The Golden Knights did not have an update on Dorofeyev's status, other than to say he won't play in Game 1. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy said he hopes to have an update before Game 2.
Parssinen split the 2024-25 campaign between the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers, but made a lasting impact in his final stop, securing a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension in New York. The 23-year-old forward had five points (2G / 3A) in 11 games with New York and has 53 points (20G / 33A) in 137 career contests.
