Coming off a step-back performance this past season with the New York Rangers , Alexis Lafreniere's underwhelming campaign sparked trade rumors in some circles. With his new contract valued at an $7.45 million average annual value kicking in next season, the Rangers must decide whether the 23-year-old forward is a key part of their future or better used as leverage in a trade to continue shaking up their core.
After he scored 28 goals and posted career-best numbers across the board in 2023-24, expectations for Lafreniere were through the roof and the Rangers handed him a hefty raise to lock him up the next seven years. But he was unable to live up to the hype.
Lafrienere finished the 2024-25 season with 17 goals and 45 points, a disappointment that again raised questions about his ceiling at the NHL level.
To be fair, Lafreniere wasn't the only one who took a step back this season. This was a massive team-wide fail. And specific to Lafreniere, his veteran linemates — Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck — saw their numbers tumble back to earth after career-best seasons in 2023-24, too.
But there are those who believe moving on from Lafreniere is the way to go because he will never live up to being the star the Rangers envisioned when he was selected No. 1 overall in 2020. Mollie Walker of the New York Post suggested to Forever Blueshirts that the Rangers might be better off trading Lafreniere – not because he is a lost cause, but because too many signs aren't pointing in the right direction with him. In her words on the RINK RAP podcast , "It just hasn't been there in a lot of facets," and she added the team might want to "get out sooner rather than later."
So, for argument's sake, let's say Chris Drury and Co. shop Lafreniere this offseason. What are some realistic trade options out there for the Rangers?
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Note:we understand other components like draft picks or other players might be included in these trade options, but we're just focusing here on the main returns for Lafreniere if he's dealt.
If the Rangers want to make a bold move, trading for Trevor Zegras could be an option to consider – but it could come with a hefty price tag. A potential trade could cost more than just Lafreniere in a one-for-one swap. Not to mention Zegras hasn't exactly had a linear path to success either.
Injuries have slowed his path and production the past two seasons, but Zegras had consecutive 60-point seasons as a 20- and 21-year old. When healthy, he's showcased elite puck skills and playmaking abilities.
Lafreniere hasn't reached 60 points yet in five NHL seasons, though he's proven to be more durable than Zegras, who also entered the League in 2020-21. Lafreniere has solid postseason experience and Zegras has yet to appear in a single Stanley Cup Playoff game, so there's that to factor in, too.
There are questions about Zegras' defensive play, but his overall upside as a top-six forward who can slot in at center is enticing. And there's no question that the Bedford, New York, native would love to play for the Rangers.
Financially, this swap makes sense. Zegras has one season remaining on a three-year deal with a $5.75 million million AAV . Lafreniere makes $1.7 million more this season and provides cost certainty after inking his long-term contract. Anaheim can afford to take that cap hit and the Rangers would gain a bit of flexibility in cap space this season. Then, when Zegras is up for a new contract next summer, the NHL salary cap will have gone up again, Panarin will be off the books, and the Rangers will have more flexibility to sign Zegras long term.
This would be a trade centered on providing two young talented players with a fresh start. And checks off a lot of boxes for each side.
A trade between the Rangers and Sabres could be a realistic landing spot for Lafreniere, because there've been rumors Buffalo may be open to dealing JJ Peterka . If that's the case, the Rangers should be interested.
Peterka is 22 years old, and coming off a 27-goal, 68-point season. Along with that production and plenty of upside, Peterka brings speed and pressure on the forecheck – attributes the Rangers need more from their forwards.
The Rangers would also gain cap flexibility in this proposed trade. Peterka just finished his entry-level contract, so is due a sizable raise, probably the biggest reason the Sabres would consider trading him after he scored 28 and 27 goals the past two seasons. But Peterka likely would get less on his next contract than Lafreniere is currently making, even if he might surpass him in the coming years.
If Buffalo likes Lafreniere as a player and believes he's going to be a star, then his cost certainty adds to his value. A young, talented supporting cast of Jack Quinn , Tage Thompson , and Dylan Cozens just might be the right fit for Lafreniere to bring out the best in his game.
A potential one-for-one swap between the Rangers and Wild, featuring Alexis Lafreniere and Marco Rossi, has been rumored of late. Both players were selected within the top-10 of the 2020 NHL Draft – Lafreniere at No. 1 overall and Rossi at No. 9 – and a deal here could be intriguing for each side.
Acquiring Rossi would bring young depth to the Rangers at the center position. Trocheck and J.T. Miller are in their 30s, and Mika Zibanejad may play on the wing moving forward, so bringing in a Rossi, 23, could help set up their future. He broke out this past season with 24 goals and 60 points, playing all 82 games for the second straight season.
Why would the Wild move a budding homegrown star? Great question, but the rumors are too too loud and persistent to ignore. He's coming off his entry-level contract and will be costly down the road, especially in light of Kirill Kaprizov being due a massive raise this offseason. Again, Lafreniere's cost certainty is valuable here and he could very well take off in a city where the glare is not as bright as New York.
