The first day of the 2026 NHL Draft has come and gone, and the Rangers were big players. They made a big trade for RFA wing Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas and signed him to a massive contract at 7 years and $11 million. Next the rumors of the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits were true, as the Rangers selected the big lefty defenseman with a mean streak at 5th overall. Before Day 2 starts, let’s break this down.
On Pavel Dorofeyev
1. The Pavel Dorofeyev trade was a great deal for Chris Drury. It’s been hard to trust Drury since he became GM of the Rangers, but this was a solid trade. The Rangers added a pure goal scorer, and one of the best wingers that we didn’t even know was available. Dorofeyev easily becomes the best goal scoring winger on the team and makes the Rangers better.
The cost–26th and 92nd overall in 2026, and a top-10 protected 1st in 2028–was good for both teams. The Rangers didn’t have many assets to surrender, and they leveraged extra picks in a weak draft to get it done. Because of this, Dorofeyev becomes and addition to the roster and not a replacement. Turning 26 in October, he’s on the young side too.
2. The contract is massive and a bit of an overpay, but the Rangers are hoping Dorofeyev can add to his numbers in a bigger role with the Blueshirts. Dorofeyev played most of his 5v5 time with Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner, so perhaps “bigger role” needs to be defined better. Dorofeyev was not “the guy” in Vegas. Marner, Jack Eichel, and others were. In New York, he will be that guy and should hopefully be able to tack onto those totals.
3. There are two knocks on Dorofeyev: His skating, which is on the average side, and his play driving. Dorofeyev’s play style is more read the play and get to open ice in a position to shoot. So he’s not going to be a massive play driver, and that’s fine in a vacuum. Same with the average skating. Not every player on a roster needs to be a play driver and a fast skater. But this trade does not address either of those needs for the Blueshirts, and these are big needs. The Rangers still have two prime trade assets to address these areas.
Dorofeyev will thrive with significant powerplay time. That shouldn’t create too many conflicts with Alexis Lafreniere (off-wing), as Dorofeyev generated most of shots from the net mouth. He replaces Chris Kreider as the net front presence, a big need since his departure.
The Rangers do need to address straight line speed and play driving, so we will need to see how the rest of the offseason goes. But Dorofeyev addresses other significant needs.
On the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits
4. With the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits, there were many disappointed fans since Chase Reid was still on the board. The focus with Smits, which skewed opinions, was that he was closest to NHL ready and played with a mean streak. When many saw that, it’s easy to draw a same comparison to Lias Andersson and taking readiness and toughness over talent. I don’t think that’s a fair comparison or analysis, and the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits is a solid bet on a couple of organizational needs.
5. The Rangers drafting Alberts Smits gives them a legitimate top pairing LD prospect. He will be in camp in September and has a real shot at making the club. Smits is a big body, but he’s an elite skater. This kid can fly and is extremely talented. The issue many had with the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits and not Chase Reid was Reid’s offensive ceiling was higher. Reid and Smits are two different types of players, but both are top pair defense prospects either way.
Smits is an elite skater and a great two way defense prospect. Chase Reid still on the board skewed the opinions of the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits,. but Smits is still a great get for the Rangers.
Successful first day
6. The Rangers drafting Alberts Smits and trading for Pavel Dorofeyev made for a successful first day of the 2026 NHL Draft. While these two moves in a vacuum are great, the rest of the offseason and the Trocheck and Schneider trades are big keys to the rest of a successful offseason.
It’s easy to be pessimistic with the Rangers, as they often fall into the 200 Hockey Men mentality which is wildly outdated. But this was a good day. We need to see how the Rangers drafting Alberts Smits, trading for Dorofeyev, and the rest of the offseason moves mold the roster before we can make full judgments.