The New York Rangers failed to make the playoffs last season and have shaken up their roster this offseason, but they may not be done.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Rangers trading former first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere to division rival Columbus Blue Jackets in an intriguing deal.
Rangers acquire:
- Denton Mateychuk
- Yegor Chinakhov
- 2026 third-round pick
Blue Jackets acquire:
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as New York would acquire two young players and a mid-round pick for Lafreniere.
New York would acquire Mateychuk, who’s a 21-year-old defenseman who can play in the NHL and add some youth to the lineup. He was selected 12th overall in 2022 and has two years left on his entry-level deal. Mateychuk appeared in 45 games, recording 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points, as he would add some offense to the back end.
The Rangers would also trade Chinakhov, who would help replace the void of Lafreniere. Chinakhov has requested a trade from Columbus, as he would likely have a bigger role with the Rangers. He has one year left on his two-year, $4.2 million deal. The Russian recorded 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points in 30 games.
In return, the Rangers would deal Lafreniere, who hasn’t lived up to the expectations of being a first overall pick. He’s just about to enter his seven-year, $52.15 million deal. The 23-year-old was selected first overall in 2020 and would be a top-line player for the Blue Jackets and add some much-needed offense. He recorded 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points in 82 games.
Insider: Rangers Discussed Lafreniere Trades
Although New York signed Lafreniere to a seven-year extension, his name came up in trade talks.
Rangers insider Larry Brooks of The New York Post reported before the draft combine that New York had discussed Lafreniere in trades.
However, after Brooks’ report, fellow NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said he hadn’t heard the Rangers shopping Lafreniere.
“That contract, if he even comes close to the level where he’s capable of performing at, that’s going to be really good. If Lafreniere is available, it’s not widely known,” Friedman said.
Frank Seravalli also reported that Lafreniere likely wouldn’t be traded by the Rangers.
“Alexis Lafreniere, I also similarly have not heard his name,” Seravalli said. “The Rangers placed a huge bet on his game this season and so far in one year, it hasn’t paid off, but there’s still lots of time.”
The Rangers are backing Lafreniere to continue to develop and be a star top-six forward in the NHL.
Lafreniere Disappointed With Past Season With Rangers
Lafreniere, like most Rangers players, struggled last season.
The former first overall pick didn’t produce much offense, as it was a troubling season, and Lafreniere admits it was disappointing for him.
“I struggled to be consistent in my game and didn’t really make a difference,” Lafreniere said after the season. “I’m obviously disappointed in my year. We can have a long summer, we can work on a lot of stuff and come back next year and have a big year.”
Lafreniere has skated in 380 career games, recording 92 goals and 101 assists for 193 points.
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