Rangers Sign Eeli Tolvanen: Why the 1-Year, $1.5M Deal Makes Sense

Rangers Sign Eeli Tolvanen: Why the 1-Year, $1.5M Deal Makes Sense

Author: Forever Blueshirts September 2, 2026 Duration: 33:25
September hockey is finally here. On this edition of the Rink Rap Podcast, Jim Cerny digs into the Rangers' latest offseason move: the one-year, $1.5 million signing of winger Eeli Tolvanen. Jim explains why Chris Drury waiting out a market that never developed for Tolvanen worked in the Rangers' favor, and why a rough underlying-numbers season in Seattle shouldn't scare fans off a player who's scored 23 goals and 41 points in a single season before.Jim breaks down how Tolvanen slots into a projected third line with Will Cujo and Noah Laba, how the signing pushes Ty Cartier down to a much-improved fourth line, and why these short, affordable one-year deals (Tolvanen, Bjorkstrand, Veleno) are smart, low-risk business for a Rangers team still searching for top-end firepower. He also responds to fan criticism from both sides — those who think he's "drinking the Kool-Aid" and those who call him a "hater" — and lays out where he really stands on the Rangers' chances this season.Plus: a preview of rookie camp and the Rangers-Flyers rookie games kicking off next week, the first-year prospects to watch (Liam Greentree, Nathan Aspinall, Cole Beaudoin, Malcolm Spence), and why only four preseason games this year means fewer chances to evaluate the kids. Jim wraps with a Labor Day sign-off and a look ahead to training camp.Subscribe and follow along all season at ForeverBlueShirts.com, and follow Jim Cerny on X and Facebook @ForeverBlueShirts.Timecodes0:00 – Intro: hockey is back in September 1:59 – Housekeeping: shorter show, thanks for the support 4:57 – Rangers sign Eeli Tolvanen (1 year, $1.5M) 7:07 – Why Tolvanen's market never developed 9:23 – Tarasenko comparison and why he's not the right fit 9:52 – Projected third line: Cooley, Laba, Tolvanen 11:31 – Tolvanen's rough 2025-26 analytics explained 15:36 – Why one-year "bounce-back" deals make sense  19:16 – Addressing fan pushback: "Kool-Aid" vs. "hater" criticism 25:11 – Where the Rangers stack up in the Metro/Atlantic 28:22 – Rookie camp and prospects to watch next week 34:11 – Preseason format change: only 4 games this year 39:04 – Labor Day sign-off and what's coming next week

For dedicated fans of the New York Rangers, there's a familiar voice that has been part of the journey for decades. Rink Rap brings you that voice, with host Jim Cerny drawing from three full decades of covering the team and the NHL to offer context you simply won't find elsewhere. This isn't just reaction; it's seasoned perspective that connects today's lineup and last night's game to the broader history and intricate mechanics of professional hockey. Each episode blends that deep insight with top-flight interviews, pulling in voices from around the league to give a comprehensive view of the Blueshirts' world. Produced by Forever Blueshirts, the Rink Rap podcast feels like a conversation with the most knowledgeable person in your section, breaking down strategy, roster moves, and the emotional rollercoaster of a long season. It’s where passion for the team meets an insider's understanding, making every win, loss, and trade deadline dissected with authority and a genuine love for the game. Tune in for the analysis that goes beyond the highlight reel, grounded in thirty years of watching this franchise evolve.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts
Podcast Episodes
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