It’s time for another round of NHL rumors. Although the NHL season is in full swing, discussions about contracts remain prevalent. Several high-profile players have already secured deals, removing themselves from the free agency pool, but some still may reach July 1 without contracts. Team executives are eager to prevent this situation, and negotiations may take place during the season. One team aiming to secure a contract for a young player is the New York Rangers, and this edition of NHL rumors focuses on a potential extension.
All NHL rumors stem from original sources and are subject to change.
Rumor: According to Frank Seravalli of The Daily FaceOff, the Rangers are pursuing an extension for forward Alexis Lafreniere. Seravalli noted that the deal is rumored to be an eight-year contract worth $8 million per season.
Analysis: Lafreniere’s development in recent seasons has been impressive. Initially, there were concerns that the former first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft might not meet expectations. However, he has bounced back and become a key player for the Rangers. Previous coaches like David Quinn and Gerard Gallant struggled to maximize his potential, but Peter Laviolette has successfully harnessed Lafreniere’s talent, putting him on track for stardom.
General manager Chris Drury appears to be proactive in attempting to secure Lafreniere’s extension before any issues arise. The 23-year-old winger will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
To-Do List
Locking in Lafreniere would alleviate one of Drury’s significant concerns ahead of July 2025. Securing an eight-year deal at $8 million could be a bargain if Lafreniere continues to develop as he has been. He achieved a career-high of 28 goals last season and performed well in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This contract would keep the Quebec native in New York at an excellent value.
However, Drury must also address the substantial contract extension for star goalie Igor Shesterkin and a new agreement for valuable defenseman K’Andre Miller. The Rangers management has work ahead to ensure everything fits. Nevertheless, re-signing Lafreniere would be a beneficial first step for Drury.
Difficult Decisions
New contracts for Lafreniere, Shesterkin, and Miller could mean that some players may not return to Broadway next season. There are questions about whether defensemen like team captain Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren will be back. Trouba has an $8 million cap hit, but he could be traded or bought out. Meanwhile, Lindgren will become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and his $4.5 million cap hit might also be removed. Though he is a skilled defenseman, injuries have plagued him.
It’s challenging to retain all top players, but Drury recognizes that keeping Lafreniere long-term would be vital. This would be a critical initial move in maintaining the cohesiveness of the Rangers’ roster.
