Rangers Sign Winger Eeli Tolvanen to One-Year Contract

The New York Rangers have signed winger Eeli Tolvanen to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, the team announced on September 2, 2026. The deal brings the versatile Finnish forward to New York just one week before the start of training camp. Tolvanen, 27, spent the last three-plus seasons with the Seattle Kraken after being claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators in December 2022. He projects to compete for a spot in the Rangers' middle six, offering a blend of scoring potential and physical play. According to team officials, he is expected to slot in on the third line alongside center Noah Laba and left winger Will Cuylle, though training camp will provide final clarity on his role. The signing addresses a need for secondary scoring and depth on the right wing. Tolvanen can play both sides but has primarily skated on his offhand right wing throughout his NHL career. He brings experience on both the power play and penalty kill, having logged significant minutes in both special teams roles for Seattle. Last season, he registered the fourth-most power-play points on the Kraken with 14 and ranked seventh on the team in shorthanded ice time with 80:53.