The New York Rangers still have work to do up front, and one name that has surfaced as a possible fit is Patrik Laine.
Laine is an unrestricted free agent, and the Rangers could look at him as a way to add another shooter to their top six. He’s 28 years old, scored 15 power-play goals in the 2024-25 season, and remains widely regarded as one of the NHL’s better finishers.
That kind of scoring touch is exactly why he’s in the conversation. The Rangers want more offense after being shut out nine times last season, and with the talent on this roster, that number shouldn’t be repeated. Alexis Lafreniere, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Mika Zibanejad are expected to carry the load as the team’s main goal scorers, but there’s still a clear case for adding another threat.
The logic is simple: if a goal scorer is available and the price isn’t steep, you make the move and figure out the rest later. Laine would fit that mold as a player who can provide goals without forcing the Rangers to give up too much capital.
But the fit comes with real concerns. Laine is known almost entirely for his offense, especially on the power play, and his defensive game has been a problem.
That matters for a Rangers team that already struggled defensively as a group. Questions about his motivation and his play away from the puck have also helped explain why he remains unsigned.
Laine’s best stretch since leaving his peak years came with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021 and 2022, when he posted 56 points and then 55 points. Since then, he hasn’t been viewed as elite in the same way, even though the scoring ability is still there.
If Laine isn’t the target, Emil Tovalnen is another name the Rangers have checked on, though nothing has moved forward on that front. He would also come cheaper and brings a similar power-play skill set without much help defensively.
The bigger picture is that the Rangers still don’t look finished. They need more depth in their bottom six, and another move could be coming. Flipping Braden Schneider for a forward would not be the worst option for Chris Drury, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he has one more move lined up before the upcoming season.
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