Pavel Dorofeyev has been promoted to the top line alongside Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière by Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan. This bold shakeup aims to spark a Russian winger who has struggled to find his rhythm early in the season. The coach admitted on Friday that the team needed to try the one combination they had not used yet to get the best out of Dorofeyev.
The New York Post reported that the veteran coach made this change during practice as the team prepared for their next game. Dorofeyev has scored only three goals in 14 games despite hitting the post more than most players in the league. Sullivan knows the Russian wing has the skill but cannot seem to shake the disconnect that has plagued his start.
Why The Timing Matters Now
Sullivan held off on moving players earlier because the top line was working well for a stretch. He waited until the production dipped before making a major switch. “We just think the timing was right at this point to try to make this adjustment,” Sullivan said of the move. He noted that this specific grouping is the only option left inside the top six for Dorofeyev.
The coach also mentioned that the decision came after a short period of discussion among the staff. “It’s a conversation that we’ve had here over the last couple of days,” Sullivan said regarding the defensive pairings and how the lines fit together. He wants to create balance while helping Dorofeyev find his best game.
The Struggle Behind The Stats
Dorofeyev bounced between the top two lines for the first 13 games of the season before falling out of the top six entirely. The Russian wing sat on the third line for a 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Sullivan admitted that playing him down there was not a long-term solution for a player with his specific skill set.
His three goals so far have come in situations that did not help the team win. One goal made a 2-0 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the home opener. A goal was scored during the third period of a 6-0 blowout against the New Jersey Devils. Against the St. Louis Blues, his latest goal reduced the deficit to one with under five minutes remaining in regulation.
Defense Remains The Anchor
While the forward lines shuffle, the defensive pairs are staying put for now. Sullivan is sticking with his original pairings because Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox have picked up right where they left off from last season. The coach is considering lineup changes down the line solely because of the decline in performance from Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson.
The coach is not ready to give up on the second pair just yet despite their struggles in recent games. The Rangers have high-quality scoring chances, but the lack of goals from Dorofeyev has made the team’s situation much harder.
