After a disappointing step back this past season with the New York Rangers, Alexis Lafrenière’s lackluster performance has reignited trade speculation.
With a new contract kicking in that carries a $7.45 million average annual value, the Rangers are now faced with a critical decision: is the 23-year-old forward still a foundational piece of their future, or would he be better utilized as a trade asset to help reshape the roster?
Coming off a breakout 2023-24 season where he tallied 28 goals and set personal bests across the board, expectations for Lafrenière were sky-high.
The Rangers rewarded him with a substantial seven-year deal. However, he struggled to meet those expectations in 2024-25, finishing with just 17 goals and 45 points—a regression that has again cast doubt on his long-term potential in the NHL.
It’s worth noting that Lafrenière wasn’t the only player to falter—this season saw a broader team-wide underperformance. His linemates, Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, also saw significant dips in production after career years.
Despite this context, there are voices within the hockey community suggesting it might be time for the Rangers to cut ties. Some argue that Lafrenière may never reach the star status expected of a No. 1 overall pick.
Mollie Walker of the New York Post told Forever Blueshirts that the Rangers might benefit from exploring a trade—not because Lafrenière is a bust, but because too many red flags are emerging. As she put it on the RINK RAP podcast, “It just hasn’t been there in a lot of facets,” adding that the team might be wise to “get out sooner rather than later.”
So, hypothetically speaking, if GM Chris Drury decides to explore the market for Lafrenière this offseason, what would realistic trade scenarios look like for New York?
Be the first to comment