NHL Rumors: The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere

NHL Network: Elliotte Friedman on New York Rangers ahead Alexis Lafreniere shall be a restricted free agent after the season and is lining himself up for a pleasant elevate. Time period could possibly be a sticking level on this case.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Friedman: “As for LaFreniere, I had heard that one of many points right here that was being mentioned was time period. And you recognize, as a result of for those who have a look at LaFreniere, particularly as you talked about earlier than, EJ, there’s a perception the cap goes to go up over the subsequent few years. You understand, the, the truth that there’s a brand new CBA is coming in right here too. And what may that imply as quickly as subsequent 12 months?

Like, there are some individuals questioning if, because the Commissioner has hinted, they will get it finished early, say, for instance, on the Stanley Cup Remaining, may they modify what the projected cap is for subsequent 12 months? It’s now at $92.4 (million).

So one of many issues I heard was there was a query about, is it smarter to attend? And quantity two, what’s the proper time period for Lafreniere as a result of max time period would possibly take him to some extent the place you won’t get one other large deal out of that. So it would find yourself being slightly shorter, versus the total eight.

However I believe one of many different issues too is, is till you actually know what (Igor) Shesterkin’s quantity is, you recognize, do you wait and make it like one other piece of that puzzle?

Dan Rosen: “Yeah Elliotte, it’s attention-grabbing to me, as a result of I really have a look at Lafreniere’s deal as being the extra attention-grabbing one for the Rangers. I believe I agree with you. I believe they’re going to match what Igor desires. He’s going to, they’re going to get there.

However Lafreniere, he’s not on the primary energy play proper now, however in a few years he shall be, and that’s going to extend his numbers. You might argue that he needs to be on it proper now, however they’ve received their 5 guys, and so they’ve been there to get it.

When his numbers enhance, properly, that ought to enhance the worth that he’s paid, proper? So why would you tie your self into an eight-year deal? In that sense, when you have a sense that your function goes to extend and your numbers are going to extend, the cap goes to extend, it to me, that makes it extra sense, virtually, for a shorter-term deal from Lafreniere’s perspective. From the Rangers perspective, I may see why they might need to go lengthy. However that has to weigh into it, doesn’t it?

Friedman: “Dan, you ought to be Lafreniere’s consultant since you’re giving the case. No, I, I agree. Like, I completely agree that the Rangers had been speaking to Lafreniere. I do imagine they wished to increase him long-term.

Simply, you recognize, one of many issues when somebody had instructed me was, does eight actually make sense for the participant on this case? And I believe you’re proper. If I’m a crew and I determine that it is a core participant, I lock them up for so long as I can, as quickly as I can, as a result of the value by no means goes down.

But when I used to be Lafreniere right here, I don’t know if he’d do this, as a result of additionally it takes you to an age on the again finish the place you won’t be capable of hit one other one out of the park.

EJ Hradek: “Yeah, possibly it’s a Matthews kind factor the place you do 4 years, you then’re taking a look at one other alternative, like your level Elliotte, you may make, make some extra hay down the street if issues proceed to go properly. I need to …”

Friedman: “I don’t. I don’t know for those who do 4, as a result of that walks you proper to free company, I imagine. So normally the crew will need slightly bit extra or slightly bit much less.

Hradek: “Yeah, I can see that. However to me, I wouldn’t, I’m by no means frightened of that, from, if I’m working the present there, particularly in New York the place individuals need to play for the New York Rangers. If issues are going properly with the participant and issues are going properly with the crew, I’m not frightened about that.

As a result of I believe that the, you recognize, I’ll make the deal occur. You understand, I can see why somewhere else, possibly they might be and also you need to watch out. However for me, I at all times really feel prefer it’s good for everyone. If the crew is doing properly and the participant is doing properly, we’re going to return to an settlement. And it’s going to finish up costing cash however that’s the price of doing enterprise in professional sports activities interval. And as you level out, like the value, at all times goes up, that’s simply the way in which it’s been since I’ve been overlaying this and it’s been some time.