It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re still in the first few weeks of the regular season. However, general managers are already thinking about signing some of their pending free agents. Some clubs have already taken some of their big names off the board. However, there are a number of players that could hit the open market if they’re not signed by July 1. One team that’s trying to ink one of their key young players is the New York Rangers. This edition of NHL rumours takes a look at the start of contract talks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Talks Starting to Heat up on New York Rangers Forward
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that talks between the Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere are heating up. The insider said something could happen within the next day or two.
We will see where this goes over the next 24-48 hours, but hearing talks have intensified between NYR and Alexis Lafreniere
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 25, 2024
Analysis: Lafreniere has come into his own since Peter Laviolette took over behind the bench. The former first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft struggled in his first few seasons. However, Laviolette has seemingly unlocked the potential of the former QMJHL standout.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported earlier in the week that said that the two sides were going to take their time in getting a deal done. There wasn’t the same sense of urgency like there is with the Igor Shesterkin situations. Lafreniere is a restricted free agent while Shesterkin is an unrestricted free agent.
The Blueshirts would seemingly have a little more power when it comes contract talks with Lafreniere because of his RFA status. However, the offer sheet doesn’t seem to be as taboo as it once was. If anyone would be an offer sheet candidate, Lafreniere would an ideal one.
Building a Bridge
Lafreniere had signed a bridge deal a couple of off-seasons ago to the tune of $2.35 million per season. This served as a sort of “prove it” deal to Lafreniere and he’s certainly done more than that.
The 23-year-old racked up a career-high 28 goals last season and has been one of the best players for the Rangers in the early portion of the schedule. Lafreniere is contributing at all ends of the ice and is rounding into a compete player. He’s probably set to be one of the Rangers’ cornerstones for many seasons to come.
There had been previous talk on an eight-year pact worth $8 million per season. With the cap going up by a hefty number, this could be a bargain of a contract for the St-Eustache, Quebec native.
What it Means
Locking up Lafreniere would be one massive item to take of Rangers General Manager Chris Drury‘s to-do list. Getting Lafreniere to sign a long-term deal at $8 million would be a masterstroke.
Drury still has work to do in getting Shesterkin to sign and finding cap space for RFA defenceman K’Andre Miller. There may have been some fancy cap moves that need to be made, but locking down the rising star would be massive.
The Rangers have designs of being a Stanley Cup champion and Lafreniere figures into the lineup. Signing this highly-touted forward will help the Rangers stay a contender as long as the core stays together.
Main photo by: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
