Rangers Add Former 23-Goal Free-Agent Forward

The New York Rangers have been one of the more active teams this offseason, with general manager Chris Drury making a number of changes to the roster as he looks to reshape the club.

According to multiple reports, New York is now preparing to bring in another forward who could help replace some of the offensive production lost through several major roster moves. Artemi Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in February, while Vincent Trocheck was sent to the Utah Mammoth during the summer.

Puck Pedia reports that the Rangers are signing former Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen to a one-year deal with an expected $1.5 million salary-cap hit.

Rangers Turning to Tolvanen for More Offensive Depth

The Rangers have made several notable moves this offseason. Along with trading Trocheck to Utah, New York acquired Pavel Dorofeyev and subsequently signed him to an extension.

The organization is hoping those changes can help the team return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing the postseason in each of the previous two campaigns.

Tolvanen entered the NHL after being selected by the Nashville Predators with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He made his debut in 2018 against the Buffalo Sabres after signing his entry-level contract, appearing in three games that season.

He spent much of the next two seasons with Nashville’s AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. During the shortened 2019-20 campaign, Tolvanen produced 36 points in 63 games. He also briefly returned to Finland in 2020, joining Jokerit on loan.

Tolvanen’s time in Nashville ended in December 2022 after he recorded only four points through 13 games. Seattle claimed him off waivers the following day, and the change of scenery immediately appeared to benefit him.

The forward registered seven points in his first eight games with the Kraken and ultimately finished the season with 16 goals and 27 points across 48 appearances.

Tolvanen was also part of a memorable moment during Seattle’s first-ever playoff appearance. He scored the first postseason goal in franchise history during the Kraken’s opening-round series against the Colorado Avalanche, which Seattle won in seven games.

He finished that playoff run with three goals and five assists in 14 contests before the Kraken were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in a seven-game second-round series.

The next season, Tolvanen recorded 16 goals and 25 assists over 81 games. He then established a new career high with 23 goals during the 2024-25 season.

His scoring dropped off last season, however, as he finished with 12 goals in 78 games.

What Tolvanen Could Bring to New York

Tolvanen enters his potential Rangers tenure with 423 career NHL games under his belt. During that span, he has recorded 92 goals and 98 assists for 190 total points.

He has also appeared in 21 career playoff games, producing four goals and five assists.

For New York, the one-year agreement would add an experienced forward with a history of offensive production without taking up a significant amount of salary-cap space.

Can the Rangers Get Back to the Playoffs in 2027?

The Rangers have missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, a notable decline from their 2023-24 campaign.

That season, New York captured the Presidents’ Trophy after finishing with the NHL’s best regular-season record before its playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Final.

Drury has spent much of the offseason attempting to reshape the roster and address the team’s shortcomings. Adding Tolvanen would give New York another potential scoring option as the Rangers attempt to return to the postseason during the 2026-27 season.