The New York Rangers are entering a pivotal stretch, and with President and GM Chris Drury signaling a roster retool, the trade rumor mill is heating up. One name that’s popped up more than usual? Alexis Lafrenière.
Now, let’s be clear-Lafrenière trade chatter is uncharted territory. Since being drafted first overall back in 2021, his name hasn’t really been in the rumor spotlight. But with the Rangers shifting gears and looking toward the future, the conversation has started to shift.
It’s easy to look at Lafrenière’s numbers this season-28 points in 52 games-and feel underwhelmed, especially considering the seven-year, $52.15 million extension he signed just last year. He’s been given more responsibility, logging top-six minutes and seeing time on the power play, but the production hasn’t quite matched the opportunity.
Still, moving on from Lafrenière right now doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
For one, his trade value isn’t exactly peaking. If the Rangers were to put him on the block today, they’d likely be selling low-getting back a return that wouldn’t reflect his full potential or pedigree. That’s not the kind of move you make when you’re trying to get younger and build for the long haul.
Yes, Lafrenière may never reach the “generational talent” label that came with his No. 1 overall status. But at just 24 years old, there’s still time for him to become a meaningful contributor-especially for a team that’s finally in a position to prioritize development over immediate results.
That’s the key here. Since Lafrenière entered the league, the Rangers have been in win-now mode.
Playoff pushes, veteran-heavy lineups, high expectations-none of that creates the ideal environment for a young player to grow, make mistakes, and learn from them. It’s been a trial by fire since day one.
But with the team essentially punting on the rest of the 2025-26 season and turning its attention toward the future, there’s finally a real opportunity to put Lafrenière in a position to succeed. Let him play through the ups and downs.
Give him the minutes, the matchups, the leash. See what he can become when development is actually the priority.
Worst-case scenario? You’ve got a middle-six forward with a $7.45 million cap hit-a number that will look more manageable as the salary cap continues to rise in the coming years.
That’s not a disaster. It’s a calculated bet on a player who still has the tools to make a difference.
There are two sides to this coin. On one hand, Lafrenière’s production hasn’t lived up to expectations.
On the other, the Rangers have a chance to reset, retool, and give him the runway he’s never really had. Trading him now, especially at a low point in value, feels like a move that could come back to haunt them.
For a team trying to build something sustainable, patience might be the smartest play.