​Former Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen may be the best available option for the New York Rangers. It’s no secret that New York is still eyeing another significant offseason move, with general manager Chris Drury reportedly targeting one more top-six forward to bolster the lineup. After adding Pavel Dorofeyev, the Rangers’ first two lines look fairly solid, though Oliver Bjorkstrand would likely thrive better on a third line.
Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic discussed the Rangers’ forward options on his latest The Flying V podcast. He noted that Drury and the team have been “poking around” unrestricted free agent Eeli Tolvanen. Tolvanen’s ability to play on the right wing makes him a particularly appealing fit for New York. The former Seattle Kraken forward posted 36 points in 78 games last season.
Mercogliano’s colleague, Chris Johnston, recently ranked Tolvanen as the 25th-best unrestricted free agent this summer. Johnston predicts Tolvanen will secure a new contract around two years for about $7.2 million in total, roughly $3.6 million per season. If that projection holds, Tolvanen could be a practical addition for the Rangers. PuckPedia.com reports that Drury has just under $8 million in cap space to work with, though the real cap situation can be more nuanced when considering other factors.
While Mercogliano sees Tolvanen as a possible target, Anthony Mantha appears less likely to land with New York. Beat writers suggest Mantha has probably priced himself out of a Rangers deal, with projections projecting an annual salary above $6 million. On the other hand, Patrik Laine has also been linked to the Rangers in recent weeks, though Mercogliano still believes Drury could pursue the former Montreal Canadien.
The Rangers have also been connected to other free agents, and fans might be hoping for more than Tolvanen. There is speculation about Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, though Mercogliano notes the veteran duo may be older than the Rangers want to go right now. Kane has even been connected to a potential return to the Chicago Blackhawks, particularly after Connor Bedard’s injury shift.
Beyond free agency, there’s a path to adding a top-six forward through a trade, which Mercogliano hints could be the more likely route for the club. Drury and the Rangers could explore trade options to bolster their forward depth even as they navigate cap considerations and negotiations for pending RFAs like Braden Schneider, who recently filed for arbitration. Projections place Schneider’s next deal with an average annual value somewhere between $4 million and $6 million, a factor the team will need to weigh as they structure their offseason moves.