The Rangers are nearing a one-year agreement with Eeli Tolvanen, a move that would add another proven winger to the middle of their forward group.
A league source told The Athletic the deal is close, speaking on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are not yet public. PuckPedia reported the contract is expected to come in at $1.5 million for one year.
Tolvanen, 27, has played all 423 games of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators and Seattle Kraken. Last season in Seattle, he posted 12 goals and 36 points in 78 games. He also scored 23 goals in 2024-25, giving the Rangers a player who can add some finishing touch in the middle six.
New York had interest in Tolvanen earlier this summer, and this would continue a busy stretch for president and general manager Chris Drury. The Rangers have already added Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno as part of the effort to reshape the forward group.
Tolvanen also spent February with Finland’s Olympic team, which won bronze. He recorded a goal and two assists in five games at the tournament.
If the deal gets done, Tolvanen would fit into a projected lineup that could look like this:
Pavel Dorofeyev - Mika Zibanejad - Alexis Lafrenière
Gabe Perreault - J.T. Miller - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Will Cuylle - Noah Laba - Eeli Tolvanen
Tye Kartye - Joe Veleno - Taylor Raddysh
The short term of the contract could also leave the Rangers with another option down the line, since Tolvanen could become a trade-deadline piece if the team is out of the playoff picture.
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