Depth Chart Deep Dive: What the Eeli Tolvanen Signing Means for the Bottom Six and the AHL

In case you missed it, the New York Rangers signed forward Eeli Tolvanen to a one-year deal that carries an AAV of $1.5 million. The former Seattle Kraken winger is coming off a 36-point campaign and is consistently good for 25-35 points per season. While his presence will certainly help the Rangers become more of a well-rounded and competitive team, it does have implications for other players on the roster and in the system. 

Prior to the signing, there was some uncertainty as to how the third line was going to look. With Oliver Bjorkstrand expected to play in the top six, it left the right wing position on a line with Will Cuylle and Noah Laba up for grabs. Taylor Raddysh seemed to be the favorite to fill that spot by default. There was always the chance that Liam Greentree or Brody Lamb would make such an impression and earn a roster spot out of camp, but time to develop in the AHL was always more likely. Additionally, the Rangers still had Tye Kartye, Jaroslav Chmelar, Adam Sykora, and, to a lesser extent, Joe Veleno, Matt Rempe, and Jusso Parssinen who could throw their hats in the ring for that opportunity on the third line. 

Veleno and Kartye always felt more likely to land on the fourth line. And now with Tolvanen in the mix, it certainly feels that will be how it will play out. That would make Raddysh the favorite for fourth line right winger with Matt Rempe the likely candidate as the 13th forward.

Things can certainly change, as Jaroslav Chmelar could certainly continue to impress this coaching staff enough and force Raddysh to the 13th forward spot or off the team entirely. The thing to keep in mind is that, while Chmelar and Sykora are waiver exempt, Raddysh, Rempe, and Parssinen are not. You have to wonder how willing the Rangers are to risk losing these players on waivers.