Rangers Face Uphill Battle in Potential Lafrenière Trade Talks
The New York Rangers are reportedly open for business, and yes, that includes listening to offers on Alexis Lafrenière. But let’s be clear-moving a former No. 1 overall pick is never as simple as it sounds.
During Hockey Night in Canada’s Saturday Headlines segment, Elliotte Friedman addressed the buzz around Lafrenière and the possibility of a trade. While it’s true that the Rangers are willing to entertain discussions, actually pulling the trigger on a deal involving Lafrenière is going to be complicated.
Here’s why: even though Lafrenière hasn’t yet lived up to the lofty expectations that come with being the top pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, he still carries that pedigree. And that matters.
Teams don’t just see where he is today-they see what he could still become. That kind of potential doesn’t come cheap, and the Rangers know it.
So if New York is going to move him, they’re not doing it for a mid-tier return. They’re looking for a hockey trade-something that brings back a player with similar upside and a comparable draft pedigree.
One name that’s surfaced in that context? Shane Wright.
The Seattle Kraken center was once projected as a top pick himself and still holds considerable promise. A Lafrenière-for-Wright swap isn’t on the table officially, but it’s the kind of move that would make sense for both sides if they’re serious about a shakeup.
The Rangers still believe there’s something to unlock in Lafrenière. GM Chris Drury hasn’t given up on him. But if the right deal comes along-one that doesn’t treat Lafrenière like a reclamation project but as a still-developing top-tier talent-that’s when things could get interesting.
Hamilton Trade Talks Slow Amid Injury Concerns in New Jersey
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Dougie Hamilton situation has hit pause-but not because the Devils are unwilling to deal. It’s about timing, and right now, timing isn’t on their side.
Hamilton has been a name floated in trade chatter for weeks, but with Luke Hughes sidelined due to injury, the Devils are in no rush to move one of their top right-shot defensemen. Hughes is trying to avoid surgery, but he’s still out for the foreseeable future. That puts a premium on Hamilton’s presence in the lineup.
And he’s responded. Since returning from a brief healthy scratch against Winnipeg, Hamilton has notched seven assists in six games.
The Devils have gone 5-1 in that stretch. He’s not just filling space-he’s playing winning hockey.
Still, GM Tom Fitzgerald is looking ahead. The Devils want to be a playoff team, and that means finding the right balance between cap flexibility and on-ice performance.
Hamilton’s contract-particularly the $7.4 million signing bonus-adds a layer of complexity to any potential deal. Plus, if they do move him, they’ll need a right-shot defenseman in return.
That’s not optional; it’s a roster necessity.
So yes, Hamilton could still be dealt, but it’s going to take what Friedman called a “Yes Offer”-something the Devils simply can’t refuse. Until then, don’t expect much movement. This could be a conversation that picks back up in the offseason, when teams have more cap room and a clearer picture of their long-term needs.
For now, both the Rangers and Devils are navigating tricky terrain. Whether it’s a young forward trying to find his footing in New York or a veteran defenseman anchoring a lineup in New Jersey, the trade market is open-but the stakes are high, and the deals won’t come easy.