It appears that a divisional rival of the Rangers, the Penguins, have an interest in Alexis Lafreniere, and they could be working for a trade to acquire him.
The NHL off-season is here for some teams, and while trades are paused for the teams in the playoffs, the rumors are flowing for others eliminated, especially when it comes to New York Rangers right wing Alexis Lafrenière.
Selected first overall in 2020, Lafrenière came into the league with expectations sky high. He's shown flashes of brilliance, but the pressure-cooker environment of New York hasn't suited him.
He'll be 24 and have five years of NHL experience by the 2025-26 season, with 193 points in 380 games. Not bad, but not first-overall production.
Consistency has been Lafrenière's Achilles' heel. In spite of all his offense two years ago, with a 28-goal season, fans and experts have had to wait through long droughts without a goal.
Lafreniere was signed to a seven-year contract
The Rangers took a gamble on him with a seven-year, $7.4 million AAV contract, and so far, that gamble is questionable.
New York hasn't fared much better development-wise. Remember the formerly highly hyped 'Kid Line'? Lafreniere is all that remains. Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko both have been traded, with Kakko perhaps getting back on track in Seattle.
A change of scenery might be just what Lafrenière requires, and the Penguins might be the perfect destination.
If they can entice the Rangers to retain some of his salary while also adding some draft capital, Pittsburgh might be willing to make this low-risk move on a player who still has high-ceiling talent.
Lafrenière still has the youth, talent, and lots of upside. Put him on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell, and it might just re-ignite his career all over again.
The Penguins have tons of leverage and the draft capital to make this potential move. Is it a gamble? Yes. But the payoff? It could be game-changing.
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