When the New York Rangers drafted Alexis Lafrenière first overall in 2020, they were undoubtedly hoping he'd put up big numbers. However, after more than five full seasons in the NHL, he's yet to fully hit those milestones. Looking back on the previous seasons begs the question, should the Rangers have sold early on Alexis Lafrenière?
The answer? Probably. But now they've made their bed, and it's not the worst thing.
The start of Lafrenière's NHL career was mired by the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the three years of his entry-level deal, much of the discussion was about how disappointing he'd been for the Rangers. It was a turbulent time for the Rangers, trying to figure out if their first overall pick was actually a bust. Lafrenière had only managed to put up one 40 point season in those three years, and finding his fit in the lineup was difficult.
The final year of his contract is probably where they should have looked to sell. It was pretty clear from the first two seasons that Lafreniere wouldn't reach the heights of other first overall picks, but he was still very young, and was improving each season. In the final year of his entry-level contract, Lafrenière put up career highs in points and assists. His potential was still high, even if it wasn't what they had hoped, and sending him to another team in exchange for a couple of depth players or picks may have been a way to wash their hands of the forward.
Instead, they chose to hold on to Lafrenière, offering him a two-year contract. Once again, the debate returned about his worth as a Ranger and whether or not he was a bust. Following this deal, he had a 57 point season, a great step forward, but still not much compared to someone like Jack Hughes, the previous first ovall pick, who had 99 points that season. Lafrenière's production dropped off again in 2024, but he still earned a long-term deal with the Rangers in the 2025-26 off-season.
This seemed like a crossroads for the Rangers where they finally realized who Lafrenière is. He never will be an Auston Matthews or a Jack Hughes, but he can be a strong depth player. After another 50+ point season, Lafrenière may still be an effective piece for the team. If the Rangers prioritize him as a key piece of the puzzle, Rangers fans still could see some strong years out of the forward, as long as they stop expecting to see him putting up 100 points a year.
If the Rangers do decide the want to move him, it's unlikely they'll get the same pieces that Alexis Lafrenière could once have attracted. Now, he's a depth player, and that might just be okay.
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