On October 26, Alexis Lafreniere signed a seven-year contract with the New York Rangers, featuring an average annual value (AAV) of $7.45 million—a scenario that seemed improbable just a year prior.
The 23-year-old forward finally hit his stride last season, playing effectively alongside talented teammates Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, recording a personal best of 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists) and excelling in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he contributed 14 points (eight goals, six assists) over 16 games. He has maintained this positive momentum into the current season, tallying eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine games.
In the summer of 2023, Lafreniere had signed a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.325 million following a disappointing playoff performance against the New Jersey Devils, where he failed to score any points in seven games. NHL Insider Elliot Friedman noted, “If he has another year like last season, they’ll probably need to move on. This contract is like a two-year deal but essentially a one-year deal in New York to see what happens.”
However, Lafreniere capitalized on that one-year opportunity.
Over the last three seasons, he ranks eighth among players under 23 in scoring with 98 points. While six players rank slightly higher, his impressive 58-point season has positioned him prominently as the Rangers’ highest draft pick in history. Comparisons have often been drawn to him, given his status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, especially as other players from recent drafts seem to be thriving more prominently than him on their teams. For a brief moment, there were discussions about Quinton Byfield’s potential to overshadow Lafreniere, but Lafreniere’s rapid improvement has effectively quelled those conversations.
Byfield matched Lafreniere’s performance last season, scoring 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists) and carving out a similar career path to Lafreniere, who was picked before him. So far this season, Byfield has contributed five points in ten games. At 22, Byfield is still solidifying his consistency in the NHL, yet at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, he holds significant potential, especially considering his $6.25 million AAV might prove advantageous in the future.
Currently, Byfield earns $1.2 million less than Lafreniere’s upcoming contract, but he may play a vital role for the Kings, similar to Lafreniere’s importance with the Rangers, as both teams are gearing up for future roster changes with key players like Panarin and Anze Kopitar.
While Lafreniere and Byfield have comparable contracts and career paths, Lafreniere has outscored Byfield by 51 goals, played 118 more games, and has 64 more points overall.
Tim Stutzle, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft, has overshadowed Lafreniere early in their careers. The 22-year-old from Germany has impressive stats (294 GP, 96 G, 165 A, 261 PTS) despite playing for the underperforming Ottawa Senators. While Stutzle has outperformed Lafreniere in key areas, factors like power-play opportunities must also be weighed in this comparison.
Lafreniere has primarily played on the second power-play unit, resulting in most of his production coming at even strength. Stutzle surpasses Lafreniere in goals (by 17), assists (by 89), points (by 105), and shots on goal (by 175). However, when considering power-play production, Stutzle boasts 23 goals on the man advantage and 27 total special teams goals. In contrast, Lafreniere’s exclusion from the Rangers’ first power-play unit is notable. If Stutzle’s special teams goals are removed, he has 69 goals, while Lafreniere’s tally stands at 79, giving him a lead in that context.
Stutzle’s contract is appreciating in value, offering more secure production for an additional $900,000 compared to Lafreniere.
