The New York Rangers are entering a new chapter, and with that comes some potential roster shakeups. General manager Chris Drury has made it clear that certain players could be on the move - and if that’s truly the case, one name should jump off the page for the Pittsburgh Penguins: Alexis Lafrenière.
Now, Lafrenière isn’t just another trade chip. He’s a former No. 1 overall pick with a skill set that still holds serious upside. And for Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who’s been steadily reshaping Pittsburgh’s roster with a focus on youth and offensive potential, Lafrenière checks a lot of boxes.
We’ve already seen Dubas take a swing in that direction this season, acquiring Egor Chinakhov from Columbus - another young, first-round talent with a shoot-first mentality. Lafrenière fits that mold, too.
He’s in his early 20s, has a quick release, and brings a level of offensive instinct that’s tough to teach. These are the kinds of players Dubas has been targeting: young, skilled, and still developing.
Lafrenière is coming off his best season to date, tallying 28 goals and 29 assists while playing in all 82 games. That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a sign that he’s starting to put things together - and that he might only be scratching the surface of what he can become.
Sure, his numbers dipped in previous years, but that’s not uncommon for young players trying to find consistency in the NHL. Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what’s needed to unlock the next level. And when you look at what head coach Dan Muse has done with this roster - particularly with 18-year-old rookie Ben Kindel - there’s reason to believe Pittsburgh could be the right environment for Lafrenière to take that next step.
Muse has shown he can connect with young players, give them meaningful minutes, and help them grow. Lafrenière wouldn’t be pigeonholed into one role - he’d have the flexibility to move up and down the lineup, offering skill and depth to a team that’s dealt with more than its fair share of injuries in recent years.
The big question, of course, is price. If Drury’s asking price starts with a first-round pick, that’s a different conversation. But if the Rangers are truly open for business and there’s some wiggle room in the negotiations, Dubas should absolutely be picking up the phone.
This isn’t just about acquiring a name - it’s about adding a player who fits the vision Dubas and Muse are building in Pittsburgh. A young, talented forward who’s already shown flashes of top-line potential? That’s the kind of move that could pay off in a big way, both now and in the years to come.