The New York Rangers have added another experienced forward to their revamped lineup, agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Eeli Tolvanen. The team officially announced the signing Wednesday, giving general manager Chris Drury another piece for the club’s 2026-27 forward group.
Tolvanen, 27, arrives in New York after spending the previous several seasons with the Seattle Kraken. He appeared in 78 games last season, recording 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points. While his goal total dropped from the previous season, his 36 points were the second-highest total of his NHL career.
The Finnish winger has already demonstrated considerably more scoring upside. In 2024-25, Tolvanen established a career high with 23 goals, while he reached another career best with 41 points in 2023-24. Those numbers give the Rangers reason to believe there could be more offense available if he can rediscover his best form.
Tolvanen was originally selected 30th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2017 NHL Draft. He spent more than four seasons with Nashville before Seattle claimed him off waivers in December 2022. Across 423 regular-season NHL games with the Predators and Kraken, he has accumulated 92 goals and 98 assists for 190 points.
His value isn’t limited to scoring. Tolvanen has developed into a physical and versatile winger who can contribute on special teams. He also brings substantial experience, having played 21 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his NHL career.
For New York, the contract represents a relatively modest commitment. The one-year structure allows the Rangers to add an NHL-experienced forward without blocking their younger prospects with a long-term deal. The signing follows other forward additions this offseason, including Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno.
Tolvanen is expected to compete for a middle-six role, potentially giving the Rangers another option on the right side. His ability to score, play physically and contribute on special teams could make him particularly useful if he can return closer to his 23-goal form.
The move also continues Drury’s effort to reshape the Rangers after the team finished 34-39-9 and missed the playoffs last season. New York has been pursuing a younger, faster roster while still adding established NHL players capable of contributing immediately.
Tolvanen now has an opportunity to turn a short-term deal into a productive chapter of his career in New York. If he can provide 15-to-20-goal production while maintaining his physical and special-teams contributions, the Rangers could view this as one of their more useful depth additions of the offseason.
The Rangers are scheduled to open the 2026-27 regular season against the Boston Bruins on September 29.
