This week, the New York Rangers and 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere agreed to terms on a two-year contract that will see him earn $2.325M per season. After putting up 217 points over his final two seasons in the QMJHL, Lafreniere has just 91 points over three seasons with the Rangers through 216 games. While last season was his best season, putting up 39 points in 81 games, everyone is still waiting for him to have the breakout season that is expected of a first overall pick. On the return of "32 Thoughts", Elliotte Friedman touched on the signing and explained that this is more of a 1-year deal for the Rangers than a 2-year deal.
"Everybody is kind of in a position where they're saying, look, we're going to try this under a new coach, see where it goes if it's not good next summer then I think you can move him at a number that I think teams can handle because I just think if it's another year likes this they're probably going to have to move onTo me it's a 2-yr deal, but it's a 1-yr deal in New York and then we will see."
Given that Lafreniere has yet to break out as many expected, and has yet to find consistency with the Rangers, Friedman believes this is his last chance to perform in New York. If he doesn't, Friedman believes the Rangers will look to trade him in the off-season, and with a reasonable cap hit, it won't be hard to find a dance partner.
Lafreniere has increased his point totals yearly through his first 3 seasons in the NHL, but has not progressed to the level expected of him and could now find himself on his way out of New York if he doesn't take a significant step this season. I'd imagine that the bar is set to at least the 50-60 point range, if not higher.
