Rangers could reportedly replace Alexis Lafreniere with a new addition
Photo credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers want more firepower up front.
Their remaining cap space says only one forward can pay for it.
Elliotte Friedman framed Alexis Lafreniere's situation on 32 Thoughts as a fork in the road, saying a team can trade its problem or solve it.
He also floated a new lease on life for the 24-year-old under head coach Mike Sullivan.
Re Alexis Lafreniere/Rangers: "I think that's gonna be an interesting one to watch as the season starts; you can either trade your problem or solve your problem...and I think there's a bit of a chance here for a new lease on life."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
Vincent Mercogliano of The Athletic reported that general manager Chris Drury is still hunting forward help, open to centers and wingers alike.
"The Rangers recognize that they still need firepower up front and are actively seeking it. They're open to both centers and wingers."
- Vincent Mercogliano
- Vincent Mercogliano
Those look like two stories. They are one.
The Schneider signing quietly set the price
New York signed Braden Schneider to a one-year, $5.5 million deal on July 13, per PuckPedia.
That left the Rangers with roughly $2.4 million in space, with Scott Morrow and Vincent Iorio still to re-sign.
Two million dollars does not buy top-nine firepower in this market.
Lafreniere's $7.45 million cap hit does.
His trade protection does not begin until 2027-28, making him the easiest significant salary in the room to move.
The replacement was already bought in June
Drury acquired Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights in June and handed him seven years at $11 million annually.
Dorofeyev is a left winger. So is Lafreniere.
The job Lafreniere finally won after the Artemi Panarin trade, 28 points in his last 29 games, now belongs to someone earning $3.5 million more.
Gabe Perreault and Oliver Bjorkstrand fill the right side. Cole Beaudoin is likely bound for AHL Hartford to start.
Drury started replacing Lafreniere before Friedman ever said the word problem.
Any forward added this summer is funded by his exit, not added beside him.
Solving him is not the generous option.
It is the only one left that does not cost the Rangers a player they cannot re-buy at that price.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Blue Jackets reportedly in deep trade talks with two teams regarding a deal centered around Kirill Marchenko
Blue Jackets reportedly in deep trade talks with two teams regarding a deal centered around Kirill Marchenko