Rangers Reportedly Closing in on Contract with UFA Forward Eeli Tolvanen
The Rangers are reportedly adding another forward to their roster, inking Eeli Tolvanen to a one-year contract.
The New York Rangers play hockey this month! Isn't that fun? And with just under three weeks until the start of preseason, the Rangers are reportedly closing in on another offseason addition. As reported by PuckPedia and reiterated by The Athletic beat writers Vince Mercogliano and Peter Bough, the Rangers do appear to be signing UFA forward Eeli Tolvanen.
The contract is reportedly a one-year deal with an AAV of $1.5 million.
The Rangers are indeed closing in on a deal with Eeli Tolvanen, per a source, as PuckPedia reported ⬇️ https://t.co/yY0YV1lrhM
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) September 1, 2026
This signing makes a ton of sense for the Rangers and, in a way, feels a bit overdue. Not only can the team use all the help they can get in their top nine, but Tolvanen was linemates with Oliver Bjorkstrand in Seattle. The two had great success together as they each put up career numbers playing on a line together in the 2023-24 season. Bjrokstrand with 59 points, Tolvanen with 41.
That’s not to mention that Tolvanen very much plays a style of game that fits exactly what the Rangers are looking to build.
Eeli Tolvanen, signed 1x$1.5M by NYR, is a defence-first third line scoring winger who plays a sneaky physical game without the puck and occasionally pots 20 goals. Doesn't do much with the puck or make plays but has generally been a useful player nonetheless. pic.twitter.com/f438d2tM49
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) September 1, 2026
The once-upon-a-time 30th overall pick by the Nashville Predators, Tolvanen had been in the league full time since the 2020-21 season. Typically good for 20-30 points a season, he’s coming off a 36 point campaign (12 goals, 24 assists) in 78 games with the Kraken last year. That's one point more than he had the year prior in three less games with his career high of 41 coming two years ago.
Another middle-six winger who can provide secondary scoring, Tolvanen plays the game hard and fast, and is responsible defensively with deceptively good offensive skills. He's versatile, can play either wing, and can be used in a variety of roles. This comes as a great value signing for the Rangers as his prior chemistry with Bjorkstrand mixed with his all-around play style make him a great piece to the puzzle in New York.
