The Vegas Golden Knights have traded forward Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers, a move that occurred during the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. This transaction provided the Golden Knights with additional draft capital and salary cap flexibility, while the Rangers acquired a player with goal-scoring ability.
Kelly McCrimmon, the Golden Knights General Manager, executed the deal after initially not possessing a first-round pick. The trade with the Rangers brought in three picks: two first-round selections and one third-round pick. Following this, McCrimmon further adjusted the team’s draft position by trading down, which ultimately expanded the total number of picks acquired to five.
The Golden Knights used one of these selections to draft defenseman Juho Piiparinen from Tappara of Finland’s Liiga as the 29th overall pick. Piiparinen, who is 17, played in 29 games for Tappara in the 2025-26 season, recording three assists with a +6 rating. He also participated in 15 games with Tappara U20, contributing 13 points, and represented Finland at the 2026 World Junior Championship, playing in six games with one assist and a +6 rating.
Dorofeyev’s Departure and Rangers Agreement
Dorofeyev, a 25-year-old Russian-born winger, was a pending restricted free agent. The Golden Knights opted to trade him for draft picks and cap flexibility rather than meeting his contract demands. He was drafted by the Golden Knights in the third round, 79th overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Since his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, Dorofeyev appeared in 231 games for Vegas, accumulating 149 points, including 92 goals and 57 assists. He had developed into a 30-goal scorer within the organization.
Shortly after the trade, reports indicated that the Rangers and Dorofeyev reached an agreement on a seven-year contract. One report stated the contract was valued at $77 million, while another mentioned an average annual value of $11 million.
Impact on Both Teams
For the Golden Knights, the trade addressed salary cap constraints and provided a rare opportunity to draft in the first round. The team, known for trading futures for established players, acquired significant draft capital to replenish its prospect pool. This strategy aligns with the approach of McCrimmon and President of Hockey Operations George McPhee, who have built teams that have reached the Stanley Cup Final multiple times, including a championship in 2023.
The Rangers, who missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, gained a player with significant goal-scoring ability. Dorofeyev recorded 72 goals over the last two seasons. The Rangers also added defenseman Alberts Smits, a large defenseman who has played for Latvia in various international tournaments, through the draft.
The Golden Knights’ decision to move Dorofeyev, their best homegrown player, was influenced by salary cap considerations. The trade allowed them to add five picks, including a first-round pick in the 2028 draft, a third-round pick in 2026, a third-round pick in 2027, and a fourth-round pick in 2026.
The 2026 NHL Draft also saw other significant trades, including JJ Peterka moving from the Utah Mammoth to the Boston Bruins, and Mason McTavish going from the Anaheim Ducks to the St. Louis Blues. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna as the No. 1 overall pick, while the San Jose Sharks chose forward Ivar Stenberg at No. 2.
The Golden Knights’ strategy of acquiring draft capital aims to improve the team’s long-term outlook by adding young talent to their system.
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Source: eu.usatoday.com
