The New York Rangers have been swirling in trade speculation. That’s an obvious statement in light of the Artemi Panarin situation. But beneath all that, virtually the entire club could become potential trade bait at any point.
Among the names believed to follow Panarin is Alexis Lafreniere. The former first-overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations placed on his shoulders. His largely disappointing career trajectory has had him on the trade block for years now.
So, wouldn’t it make sense to move him now while he retains significant value?
But then again, wouldn’t that be a short-sighted move?
The answer to both questions is yes. The Rangers would do well to move Lafreniere now while they can still get a solid return. But the answer to the second question underscores why the club has one reason not to trade him.
What if, upon Artemi Panarin’s departure, Lafreniere becomes the guy on Broadway? Could there be a plan in which Lafreniere becomes the new top player for the Rangers?
That’s entirely possible. It could be a signal that the retool will include Lafreniere as a key piece moving forward. The Rangers would be way of giving up on him now. The time may have come for Lafreniere to finally become the franchise player the team had envisioned him to be.
Holding onto Lafreniere Now Could Be Risky for Rangers
Before proceeding any further, the most evident issue is the risk the Rangers run by holding on to Lafreniere. Mainly, the risk lies in his not living up to expectations once tagged as “the guy.”
It’s worth pointing out that Panarin was the guy when the Rangers drafted Lafreniere. The 24-year-old emerged as a potential franchise player from under Panarin’s shadow. With that shadow removed, Lafreniere could finally live up to the lofty ambitions set for him back in 2020.
But what if he doesn’t? What if, after one or two seasons of making him “the guy,” the Rangers realized it just didn’t work out?
It would be too late to trade him by then. His value would be an all-time low, while his eight-team no-trade clause would kick in ahead of the 2027-28 season. While it wouldn’t be impossible to trade him, the Rangers would have a harder time doing so.
The Time to Trade Lafreniere Is Now
If the Rangers are serious about moving Lafreniere, the time is now. The trade wouldn’t necessarily need to happen by the trade deadline. But the club would certainly have to explore making it happen this summer.
Otherwise, the risk of holding onto him could be too high. Unless the Rangers are willing to pretty much ride out Lafreniere’s current contract, the time to make a move is now. The retool is happening, and the club wants to get as many pieces back as it can.
It will certainly be a bold move, but the Blueshirts don’t really have much of a choice. There’s one thing about holding onto him, though. Even if he completely washes out, the Rangers can look back and argue they believed in Lafreniere. That’s why they were willing to give him a long leash even if it didn’t work out in the end.
Rangers Have 1 Reason Not to Trade Lafreniere