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The New York Rangers are in need of more help in their top six. Adding Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand are very good moves, but is it enough to compete in the upcoming NHL season?
Patrik Laine is an unrestricted free agent and could be a potential player Chris Drury can sign. 28 years old, had 15 power-play goals in the 2024-25 season, and is still viewed as a very good shooter in the NHL.
MORE: 5 NHL teams that will surprise in 2026-2027
Oct 16, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) shoots a puck during warm-up before the game against the Nashville Predators at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Rangers still can look to upgrade their offense. This team needs their offense to explode this season, as they were shut out nine times. For the talent they have, they should not exceed nine shutouts again, but having more offense isn’t a bad thing. They will need to rely on Alexis Lafreniere, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Mika Zibanejad as their main goal scorers.
The Rangers need more depth in their bottom six than top six, but if you have the opportunity to acquire a goal scorer without having to give up too much capital, you do it and hope Laine can break out.
MORE: NHL players facing the most pressure entering 2026-2027 season
Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) looks on during warm-up before a game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Being an offensively dependent player isn’t what the Rangers should be looking for. Laine is strictly known for being a power-play threat and scoring goals but cannot play good defense. The Rangers struggled as a unit defensively, which makes me believe Laine hasn’t been signed because teams worry about Laine’s motivation and his defensive play.
Laine hasn’t been “elite” since being on the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021 and the 2022 season. That’s the last time we saw the former 2nd overall pick in the 2016 draft class play some of his better hockey. 56 points in 2021 and 55 points in 2022.
Emil Tovalnen is a name that the Rangers have inquired about, but nothing has progressed on a deal. If Laine isn’t their target, the Rangers could sign Tovalnen to a cheap deal to help the Rangers. Another player who is solid on the power play but lacks in the defensive zone.
The Rangers should not be satisfied with their team, and a move could be coming soon. Flipping Braden Schneider for a forward isn’t the worst trade Drury could make. The bottom six need to be improved, and Drury should have another move up his sleeve for the upcoming season.
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Patrik Laine is an unrestricted free agent and could be a potential player Chris Drury can sign. 28 years old, had 15 power-play goals in the 2024-25 season, and is still viewed as a very good shooter in the NHL.
MORE: 5 NHL teams that will surprise in 2026-2027
Could the Rangers sign Patrik Laine?
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Oct 16, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) shoots a puck during warm-up before the game against the Nashville Predators at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Rangers still can look to upgrade their offense. This team needs their offense to explode this season, as they were shut out nine times. For the talent they have, they should not exceed nine shutouts again, but having more offense isn’t a bad thing. They will need to rely on Alexis Lafreniere, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Mika Zibanejad as their main goal scorers.
The Rangers need more depth in their bottom six than top six, but if you have the opportunity to acquire a goal scorer without having to give up too much capital, you do it and hope Laine can break out.
MORE: NHL players facing the most pressure entering 2026-2027 season
The concern of signing him
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Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) looks on during warm-up before a game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Being an offensively dependent player isn’t what the Rangers should be looking for. Laine is strictly known for being a power-play threat and scoring goals but cannot play good defense. The Rangers struggled as a unit defensively, which makes me believe Laine hasn’t been signed because teams worry about Laine’s motivation and his defensive play.
Laine hasn’t been “elite” since being on the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021 and the 2022 season. That’s the last time we saw the former 2nd overall pick in the 2016 draft class play some of his better hockey. 56 points in 2021 and 55 points in 2022.
Other options for the Rangers
Emil Tovalnen is a name that the Rangers have inquired about, but nothing has progressed on a deal. If Laine isn’t their target, the Rangers could sign Tovalnen to a cheap deal to help the Rangers. Another player who is solid on the power play but lacks in the defensive zone.
The Rangers should not be satisfied with their team, and a move could be coming soon. Flipping Braden Schneider for a forward isn’t the worst trade Drury could make. The bottom six need to be improved, and Drury should have another move up his sleeve for the upcoming season.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
