August 24: The Rangers confirmed today they’ve agreed to terms with Lafrenière on a two-year contract extension but did not disclose the AAV or cap hit.
August 23: Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the New York Rangers are closing on a contract extension with forward Alexis Lafreniere. Furthermore, Larry Brooks of the New York Post indicates that it will be a two-year, $4.65MM ($2.325MM AAV) contract between the two sides.
Before this contract becomes finalized between the Rangers and Lafreniere, the team had approximately $2.28MM in cap space, meaning New York will now have to make a move to become salary cap compliant prior to the season beginning in October. With eight defensemen penciled into the starting lineup per CapFriendly, one of those players will likely be sent to the minors to make room for Lafreniere’s contract.
It’s a relatively low-risk move by the Rangers, given that Lafreniere has yet to play up to his first overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft. However, under new head coach Peter Laviolette, perhaps Lafreniere could get sufficient ice time next season to adequately show off his skill level. In 216 games played through his entry-level contract, Lafreniere has only mustered 47 goals and 44 assists, averaging about 14 and a half minutes of ice time per night.
Besides a bit of a slow start, Lafreniere actually procured a solid season last year. He scored a career-high in points, putting up 16 goals and 23 assists in 81 games, also continuing to improve his CF%, as well as his oiSH%. Even after signing Blake Wheeler to a league-minimum deal at the beginning of free agency, there is definitely some room for Lafreniere to move up in the lineup to fill the spot on right wing.
At still only 21 years old, it’s not quite make-or-break time for Lafreniere quite yet, but the clock does appear to be ticking on his time with the Rangers. Earlier this offseason, although not much came of it, Lafreniere had his name rumored in some trade speculation.
If he earns himself the opportunity for more ice time under Laviolette, Lafreniere could break out into a premier winger in the NHL. Given this two-year deal, Lafreniere and the Rangers will have a bit more time for him to live up to his draft selection.
Rangers will not use this guy right…top line is needed..
Who is he better than to make the top line? At this point time is is not a better player than Kreider or Bread.
But to get him at his full potential then use him there and put someone else on third line to balance out scoring. If he plays third line minutes his career will be done sooner..
Same contract as Kakko
Hopefully the new coaching staff will use him properly and get more out of him.
Good deal for the Rangers. If this is who Lafreniere IS — a young, defensively responsible forward who can put 40 points on the board — then it’s a fair deal.
Agreed. I don’t know about all this potential and the draft billing, but of you look at what he’s done in the league, this is the type of deal he should be playing on.
You got a Barkov lite in the making. Third line minutes won’t let him shine or develop properly.
I wouldn’t go that far. While Barkov took a couple of years to get acclimated himself, he plays a different position and is by far a much better defensive player. Granted you said “lite,” but not sure the comparison of the two is fair.
Slow development. Big body. Sound defensively. Both came up as Centres? I think it’s a fair comparison, or at least not far off. Potential is sometimes hard to assess without a comparison of a similar player.
On the update, whether the Rangers are saying anything official or not, both Puckpedia and CapFriendly are backing Brooks up.
Reality is the Rangers have three lines and have not wanted to break up the Zib/Kreider pairing. If anything can be done, I’d move Panarin to RW1 and slide LaF and Kakko to the second line. Wheeler can play third line with Trocheck and perhaps have Goodrow play LW. 4th line is 5 minutes or more killing power plays.