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Alexis Lafreniere may be close to signing his next deal with the Rangers |
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As the calendar hits the middle of August, one key player remains unsigned. Alexis Lafreniere has yet to ink a contract with the Rangers. But all the possible concerning and hand wringing over a potential offer sheet coming his way looks to be much ado about nothing as the winger looks close to signing.
In an interview with La Presse - translation overall below - Lafreniere noted that.a deal with the Rangers will hopefully be settled in the next few weeks. In the column, he noted his affection for playing at Madison Square Garden and his goal to take his game to the next level. One point made by Laf that will warm the hearts of the Blueshirts faithful is he has mainly concentrated on improving his skating this summer.
Getting quicker on the ice has been an area of need since he was drafted first overall in 2020. Hopefully the work he does this summer will pay dividends in coach Peter Laviolette's system which stresses puck possession and a strong forecheck, In the column, the writer notes the contrast between Tim Stützle, Lucas Raymond and Dawson Mercer - and especially Stutzle - and Laf; a topic of conversation amongst us as well. But we also know that while Laf has not played like the player we thought the team was getting at number one, his power play time has been minimal while his even strength production has been excellent.
Laf did not go into details on the contract discussions or numbers. I think we all believe he will come in around $2.3 million for two years, though a one-year deal is a possibility. Depending on where the dollars land, New York could try and add one more piece, possibly on a PTO, though that is unlikely.
Twelve restricted free agents have not yet agreed with their respective teams. Of the bunch, the most intriguing name is that of Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks star and one of North America's most beloved forwards. We also note those of Evan Bouchard, Shane Pinto, Jamie Drysdale, Morgan Frost… and Alexis Lafrenière.
The Quebecer, selected first overall by the New York Rangers in 2020, remains optimistic, however. Last Thursday, on the sidelines of the ProAm Gagné-Bergeron, a charity match presented in Quebec, he even seemed quite relaxed under the circumstances.
"It's coming," he promised. My agent and the Rangers are in discussions, I hope it will be settled in the next few weeks. »
How does he deal with this uncertainty? asked a reporter.
"It's cool, that's the NHL," he replied. You have to be patient, sometimes it takes longer. »
Lafrenière, unsurprisingly, did not provide details of the negotiations as such. Very little information – if any – has leaked out of the process so far.
However, he was very clear about his intentions: “I love playing there, he said. I love the city, the fans, the arena. Playing at Madison Square Garden is amazing, especially in the playoffs. »
The appreciation is mutual, apparently: according to the main informants of the circuit, the Rangers have no intention of parting with it. New head coach Peter Laviolette even indicated, during a press briefing held earlier this summer, that the young forwards should “be given the chance” to develop.
The reference to Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko was not even veiled. The two played about 15 minutes per game last season, while being confined to supporting roles on the power play. However, they responded with 39 and 40 points, respectively.
The left winger of course welcomes this remark from his coach, but he says that it will be up to him, above all, "to have a good training camp and a good start to the season". Then to “ have fun and enjoy it”.
Few Rangers players know Laviolette well, he recalled. It will therefore be up to everyone to make a good impression.
Progression
If Alexis Lafrenière is still looking for a new deal, it's obviously because his NHL entry contract ended at the end of his third season.
As well to say that despite his 21 years, he no longer has anything of the status of a rookie, especially not after 216 season games and 27 others in the series.
It is not easy, however, to draw up a clear assessment of his first three professional years. Drafted the same year as him, Tim Stützle, Lucas Raymond and Dawson Mercer all had more offensive success in their debuts. Especially Stützle, who has almost double Lafrenière's points - 177 against 91. The German is also preparing to play the first season of an eight-year contract which will bring him an average salary of 8.3 million. . Lafrenière will not be entitled to this sum.
Nevertheless, he has just had his best season on the offensive side, with 39 points in 81 games. Not only did he inflate his total from the previous season, but he also saw the rate of the scoring chances he obtained increase to five against five.
He also took more shots on net. The progression, without being spectacular, is constant.
This does not prevent Lafrenière from still wishing to reach another level on the offensive level. "I think my game has improved both ways of the ice," he said. I would still like to have more offensive production, generate more attack. You have to be patient. It will come, I think. »
Since the beginning of the summer, he has mainly concentrated on improving his skating.
He and his teammates will be fired up, he says, to quickly erase their first-round playoff elimination last spring. The Rangers, who had been full of reinforcements at the trade deadline, lost in seven games to the New Jersey Devils.
"It was difficult," admitted Lafrenière. We lost against a very good team; a game 7, it can go one way or the other… We lost that one, but it gives us experience. We are still young. We will come back even more.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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