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Rangers Have Been Shopping Former First Overall Pick Alexis Lafreniere

By Conor Power

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 18: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers during warm up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 18, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 18: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers during warm up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 18, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers during warm-up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 18, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 18: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers during warm-up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 18, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /

As we approach the opening of free agency, it turns out that the Rangers have been trying to move on from former first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere according to the Athletic. It’s not a minor development as one of the most promising young talents on the roster, the 2020 1st overall pick could be on his way out of New York. This could spell disaster for a team that needs young players to step up next year.

Lafreniere has struggled since he was drafted by the Rangers as he has never made himself a full-time top-six player. He’s been mostly on the third line, and while he contributed to the line that would become known as the Blueshirts kid line with Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil, he’s struggled to breakthrough like everyone expected when he was drafted during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Part of the reason the Rangers are looking to move on from the St-Eustache native is that they cannot afford to meet his demands on a new contract. New York’s cap issues are well documented as it is but the fact Lafreniere is seemingly unwilling to take less money in the form of a bridge deal to get more at a later date has seemingly forced the Rangers into at least exploring the market on the young winger.

In his Ranger career, Lafreniere has tallied 47 goals and 44 assists for 91 points in 216 games. He had 17 goals and 23 helpers for 39 points in the most recent season. He’s struggled to get into a grove in the big apple and if he is not going to help the Rangers with a team-friendly deal, it is very possible that his time in the City that never sleeps will come to an end rather quickly. It would be a shame to see him leave so soon, but the cap doesn’t make exceptions.

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