The New York Rangers took a meaningful step toward solving their scoring issues on Friday night, trading for Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights in a blockbuster trade. The Rangers defense got a big boost when New York added defenseman Alberts Smits with the fifth overall pick in the NHL Draft on the same night, bolstering the defense for the future. That’s a step in the right direction, but the Rangers defense is still in shambles and this needs to be addressed. Even with Alberts Smits, the Rangers defense would be largely unchanged from last season, and that’s not a recipe for success.
Adam Fox will be the team’s top defenseman for the short and long term. Vlad Gavrikov will join him on the top pair, an excellent start to the defense. Unfortunately after that, the Rangers defense falls apart.
New York would be better off trading second pair defenseman Braden Schneider than extending him, and based on the rumors of his availability, Chris Drury seems to understand that. While Will Borgen is fine in his own end, he is a horrific puck mover. Matthew Roberton is a fine third-pair defenseman, Drew Fortescue needs time to develop, and Urho Vaakanainen is a perfect 7th defenseman.
But that doesn’t really inspire confidence in the Rangers defense. The Rangers need at least two defensemen this offseason to help push the group to a much better place.
Rangers defense options via trade
Alexander Nikishin: Already linked to the Rangers, it would take a lot for the Rangers to pry the young defenseman out of Carolina, but the Hurricanes seem comfortable trading Nikishin as part of the right package. This doesn’t appear to be a bait and switch, as Nikishin’s contract ask is beyond what GM Eric Tulsky is willing to do.
This is the exact scenario in which the Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev. Nikishin is young and can fit immediately into the top four. This would be a home run for the Rangers, who now have to give up a roster piece, as draft picks were rejected earlier. The Rangers defense would get a serious boost with Nikishin.
Vince Dunn: Dunn is a natural puck-mover who is on a reasonable contract with one year remaining. Thus, the Seattle Kraken may be comfortable moving him, knowing they aren’t likely close to making the playoffs. The Rangers could look to acquire and extend him, possibly even convincing Seattle to take back Braden Schneider as part of the deal to make the salaries match and give Seattle a long-term fit for themselves. Though at 29 years old, even the 40-50 point Dunn might not be the best fit on the Rangers defense.
Mason Lohrei: It appears the Boston Bruins and Mason Lohrei are headed toward an inevitable divorce, and there’s an opportunity to take some time to figure out if Lohrei is a fit on the Rangers defense for the long term. Lohrei has had potential in the NHL and most importantly can get the puck out of his own zone. That already makes him better than what the Rangers have been trudging out their this season.
We will see what the Rangers defense looks like next season, but it cannot look like the 2025-2026 group. It’s time for Drury to make multiple moves.
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