Jan Levine: Alexis Lafreniere may be close to signing his next deal with the Rangers Nothing set in stone but positive comments from Laf

I don't see Lafreniere getting Stützle money, but I think it's very fair for the Rags to offer him AT LEAST 6m per over 5 years.

What no confidence?

I don't see Lafreniere getting Stützle money, but I think it's very fair for the Rags to offer him AT LEAST 6m per over 5 years.

What no confidence?
- Glak18

No available cap space…

No available cap space…
- airjan23

That's ok the Rags can always ship off a 1st rounder to dump salary. I would be fine with that.

I don't see how anyone would offer sheet him. Lots of potential but hasn't realized it yet, so any offer sheet would be low enough that the Rags would instantly match it.

I don't see how anyone would offer sheet him. Lots of potential but hasn't realized it yet, so any offer sheet would be low enough that the Rags would instantly match it.
- jmatchett383

Speculation was rampant that Laf might get an offer sheet, though like you, most ft that was highly unlikely.

I'm also team 'I can't believe he wasn't offer sheeted.' Seemed like a perfect situation to pluck somone with 'high upside' for a relatively cheap cost, given the Rangers cap situation. I've been screaming for the Penguins to do it.

Kind of tells me one of two things: GM's are buddy/buddy with Drury, or don't believe in Lafreniere.

I'm also team 'I can't believe he wasn't offer sheeted.' Seemed like a perfect situation to pluck somone with 'high upside' for a relatively cheap cost, given the Rangers cap situation. I've been screaming for the Penguins to do it.

Kind of tells me one of two things: GM's are buddy/buddy with Drury, or don't believe in Lafreniere.
- mkrisnosky

How many points did Kotkaniemi put up before CAR offer sheeted him for $6m

I'm also team 'I can't believe he wasn't offer sheeted.' Seemed like a perfect situation to pluck somone with 'high upside' for a relatively cheap cost, given the Rangers cap situation. I've been screaming for the Penguins to do it.

Kind of tells me one of two things: GM's are buddy/buddy with Drury, or don't believe in Lafreniere.
- mkrisnosky

I thought the same. If Kotkaniemi drew an offer sheet, Lafreniere certainly would warrant one considering the situation.

How many points did Kotkaniemi put up before CAR offer sheeted him for $6m
- picklerick

That was direct and blatant retaliation for the Aho offer sheet.

I think everyone wants to see offer sheets, but it rarely happens, because you know the club that gets offer sheeted is going to retaliate at some point. Is it worth it? Probably not.

I'm also team 'I can't believe he wasn't offer sheeted.' Seemed like a perfect situation to pluck somone with 'high upside' for a relatively cheap cost, given the Rangers cap situation. I've been screaming for the Penguins to do it.

Kind of tells me one of two things: GM's are buddy/buddy with Drury, or don't believe in Lafreniere.
- mkrisnosky

I mean, he has to actually want to sign the offer sheet for any of this to work. Might not be so easy to convince a kid in his early 20's making a million dollars a year to leave NYC and a pretty good Original 6 team.

I think there are a lot more than only two potential reasons nobody did it. The Hurricanes had to give Kotkaniemi $6.1M and lose a 1st and 3rd round pick. He was coming off a season where he had 20pts in 56gp (.36ppg). Lafreniere posted 39pts in 81gp (.48ppg) so I highly doubt he's leaving the Rangers for anything less than what Kotkaniemi got and I don't think any GM is paying him $6M+ and losing a 1st round pick+

I mean, he has to actually want to sign the offer sheet for any of this to work. Might not be so easy to convince a kid in his early 20's making a million dollars a year to leave NYC and a pretty good Original 6 team.

I think there are a lot more than only two potential reasons nobody did it. The Hurricanes had to give Kotkaniemi $6.1M and lose a 1st and 3rd round pick. He was coming off a season where he had 20pts in 56gp (.36ppg). Lafreniere posted 39pts in 81gp (.48ppg) so I highly doubt he's leaving the Rangers for anything less than what Kotkaniemi got and I don't think any GM is paying him $6M+ and losing a 1st round pick+
- eichiefs9

Unless Lafreniere feels he can get a better opportunity elsewhere. If he signs a 2-3m bridge deal and can't move up the lineup then his numbers will be affected, which will affect his next contract.

Being in NYC is great if you get a Panarin contract, not so great if you are trying to get paid and stuck behind others getting paid.

Unless Lafreniere feels he can get a better opportunity elsewhere. If he signs a 2-3m bridge deal and can't move up the lineup then his numbers will be affected, which will affect his next contract.

Being in NYC is great if you get a Panarin contract, not so great if you are trying to get paid and stuck behind others getting paid.
- Glak18

Right, but I don't think any team out there is going to sign him for $6M+ and multiple draft picks.

$2,145,062 - $4,290,125 is the range where a team would only lose a 2nd round pick if he signed his offer sheet and I would imagine the Rangers would be entirely capable of finding a reasonable way to match anything in that range. I think any potential offer sheet would have the be at the high-end of the next bracket, $4,290,126 - $6,435,186, for the player to sign and the Rangers to be unable to match

There's way too many moving parts to envision a scenario in which Lafreniere signs and offer sheet and the Rangers don't match. Maybe some of it happens, but I think it's a lot more likely that nothing happens.

https://twitter.com/Hocke.../1691508377027747852?s=20

Right, but I don't think any team out there is going to sign him for $6M+ and multiple draft picks.

$2,145,062 - $4,290,125 is the range where a team would only lose a 2nd round pick if he signed his offer sheet and I would imagine the Rangers would be entirely capable of finding a reasonable way to match anything in that range. I think any potential offer sheet would have the be at the high-end of the next bracket, $4,290,126 - $6,435,186, for the player to sign and the Rangers to be unable to match

There's way too many moving parts to envision a scenario in which Lafreniere signs and offer sheet and the Rangers don't match. Maybe some of it happens, but I think it's a lot more likely that nothing happens.
- eichiefs9

At least the point I was trying to make is Lafreniere could still sign an offer sheet that is less than 6m, but more than what the Rangers are able to pay due to their cap situation.

What's 3.5-4m for compensation? Will the Rangers match? High probability, but it forces the Rangers to make a move they probably don't want to...so there's a possibility they don't match.

Lafreniere makes a bit more, but more importantly gets more ice time/opportunity, which he will not get with NYR top 6. Even if Lafreniere has a great season (60 some points) the Rangers are not going to pay top 6 money for someone going to play on the 3rd line.

At least the point I was trying to make is Lafreniere could still sign an offer sheet that is less than 6m, but more than what the Rangers are able to pay due to their cap situation.

What's 3.5-4m for compensation? Will the Rangers match? High probability, but it forces the Rangers to make a move they probably don't want to...so there's a possibility they don't match.

Lafreniere makes a bit more, but more importantly gets more ice time/opportunity, which he will not get with NYR top 6. Even if Lafreniere has a great season (60 some points) the Rangers are not going to pay top 6 money for someone going to play on the 3rd line.
- Glak18

Why would anyone offer sheet Laf which would require you to overpay him and surrender assets when there are more productive players still available as UFA’s?

Tomas Tatar put up 20 goals and 28 assists last season and is still available, for example. Not knocking Laf, and I realize he has more long term upside. Just saying offer sheets aren’t very attractive options. Plus right now UFA’s are looking for teams and are available at discount prices.

I agree here. The hoopla over Laf getting an offer sheet seems likes the yearly offer sheet drama that always occurs. It was just Laf's name this year. Next year it will be another young player wrapped into the rhetoric to create news.

Also, the cap is way too tight for teams this year to play Russian roulette on money and assets.

Why would anyone offer sheet Laf which would require you to overpay him and surrender assets when there are more productive players still available as UFA’s?

Tomas Tatar put up 20 goals and 28 assists last season and is still available, for example. Not knocking Laf, and I realize he has more long term upside. Just saying offer sheets aren’t very attractive options. Plus right now UFA’s are looking for teams and are available at discount prices.
- Queenie_5_hole

First off, I am not advocating why someone should offer sheet Lafrenière or why it's good or bad.

Like I've stated multiple times in my replies, it's about opportunity. My perspective is all about whether I was in Lafrenière situation. Does Lafrenière care about getting that bigger paycheck later in his career? Well if he does then he needs the premium ice time then he needs to produce with opportunity. The other players in his draft that received that big term/money contracts were given more opportunity on their teams. Stützle was eased in, but he hasn't been riding 3rd line minutes for 3 years and his production shows it by gradually increasing with increased opportunity. Again does Lafrenière have that chance in NYC with Panarin and Krieder above him? Currently Lafrenière is shoehorned in as a medium paid bottom 6 winger for at least the next 3 years and is not going to produce more in that role.

Now why would a team offer sheet him? Well he is a #1 overall pick and was picked for a reason. He was never tagged as a generational player, but more in the tier of Stamkos. Plus he is 21 years old with 3 years experience. This should be the year he breaks out and be a mainstay in the top 6. Teams should not be waiting until he's 24-25 and then expecting a superstar to pop out, that's bad developing. So if another team, which there are a few, that could use that kind of player then why wouldn't they go get him? Why is an offer sheet so much different than trading assets? I'm sure many teams have discussed offer sheets with him, maybe even offered him one, but you won't hear about it unless HE SIGNS IT.

Now why would Lafrenière sign an offer sheet? It wouldn't be for the bridge money, it would be for the OPPORTUNITY. So if HE doesn't believe he has that in NY than why not take that chance with another team? If he produces then he can sign a bigger contract.

But but the Rangers would match!! Well New York currently has roughly 2.2 million in cap space and no LTIR. They could match, but depending on the amount, which doesn't have to be a huge cap or long term, would they be able to? Another team could offer between 2.1m and 4.2m and only have to give up a 2nd round pick. If Lafrenière accepted a 1-3 year offer sheet for 4.2m then the Rangers would probably have to get rid of 2-3 million to fit that in, who goes this year?

If the Rangers match the offer sheet:
1) They have to drop salary
2) They have to give Lafrenière more opportunity
3) They have to believe he's a better player his numbers show

Why not go out and sign a UFA....because there is no one 21 years old and has the ceiling of Lafrenière. Tatar is a great example, 20 goals and 28 assists...he didn't score those points playing on the 4th line. Actually 30 of those points came playing with Hischier, surprisingly his numbers dipped when they traded for Meier. He had roughly the same ice time as Lafrenière, but not the same opportunity.

Personally I think Lafrenière would fit in nicely with Nashville.

First off, I am not advocating why someone should offer sheet Lafrenière or why it's good or bad.

Like I've stated multiple times in my replies, it's about opportunity. My perspective is all about whether I was in Lafrenière situation. Does Lafrenière care about getting that bigger paycheck later in his career? Well if he does then he needs the premium ice time then he needs to produce with opportunity. The other players in his draft that received that big term/money contracts were given more opportunity on their teams. Stützle was eased in, but he hasn't been riding 3rd line minutes for 3 years and his production shows it by gradually increasing with increased opportunity. Again does Lafrenière have that chance in NYC with Panarin and Krieder above him? Currently Lafrenière is shoehorned in as a medium paid bottom 6 winger for at least the next 3 years and is not going to produce more in that role.

Now why would a team offer sheet him? Well he is a #1 overall pick and was picked for a reason. He was never tagged as a generational player, but more in the tier of Stamkos. Plus he is 21 years old with 3 years experience. This should be the year he breaks out and be a mainstay in the top 6. Teams should not be waiting until he's 24-25 and then expecting a superstar to pop out, that's bad developing. So if another team, which there are a few, that could use that kind of player then why wouldn't they go get him? Why is an offer sheet so much different than trading assets? I'm sure many teams have discussed offer sheets with him, maybe even offered him one, but you won't hear about it unless HE SIGNS IT.

Now why would Lafrenière sign an offer sheet? It wouldn't be for the bridge money, it would be for the OPPORTUNITY. So if HE doesn't believe he has that in NY than why not take that chance with another team? If he produces then he can sign a bigger contract.

But but the Rangers would match!! Well New York currently has roughly 2.2 million in cap space and no LTIR. They could match, but depending on the amount, which doesn't have to be a huge cap or long term, would they be able to? Another team could offer between 2.1m and 4.2m and only have to give up a 2nd round pick. If Lafrenière accepted a 1-3 year offer sheet for 4.2m then the Rangers would probably have to get rid of 2-3 million to fit that in, who goes this year?

If the Rangers match the offer sheet:
1) They have to drop salary
2) They have to give Lafrenière more opportunity
3) They have to believe he's a better player his numbers show

Why not go out and sign a UFA....because there is no one 21 years old and has the ceiling of Lafrenière. Tatar is a great example, 20 goals and 28 assists...he didn't score those points playing on the 4th line. Actually 30 of those points came playing with Hischier, surprisingly his numbers dipped when they traded for Meier. He had roughly the same ice time as Lafrenière, but not the same opportunity.

Personally I think Lafrenière would fit in nicely with Nashville.
- Glak18

Not saying I completely agree with everything, but that’s a high quality answer right there…

Not saying I completely agree with everything, but that’s a high quality answer right there…
- Queenie_5_hole

Yeah, actual reasoning and logic... EK finally attracting readers with a full brain!

First off, I am not advocating why someone should offer sheet Lafrenière or why it's good or bad.

Like I've stated multiple times in my replies, it's about opportunity. My perspective is all about whether I was in Lafrenière situation. Does Lafrenière care about getting that bigger paycheck later in his career? Well if he does then he needs the premium ice time then he needs to produce with opportunity. The other players in his draft that received that big term/money contracts were given more opportunity on their teams. Stützle was eased in, but he hasn't been riding 3rd line minutes for 3 years and his production shows it by gradually increasing with increased opportunity. Again does Lafrenière have that chance in NYC with Panarin and Krieder above him? Currently Lafrenière is shoehorned in as a medium paid bottom 6 winger for at least the next 3 years and is not going to produce more in that role.

Now why would a team offer sheet him? Well he is a #1 overall pick and was picked for a reason. He was never tagged as a generational player, but more in the tier of Stamkos. Plus he is 21 years old with 3 years experience. This should be the year he breaks out and be a mainstay in the top 6. Teams should not be waiting until he's 24-25 and then expecting a superstar to pop out, that's bad developing. So if another team, which there are a few, that could use that kind of player then why wouldn't they go get him? Why is an offer sheet so much different than trading assets? I'm sure many teams have discussed offer sheets with him, maybe even offered him one, but you won't hear about it unless HE SIGNS IT.

Now why would Lafrenière sign an offer sheet? It wouldn't be for the bridge money, it would be for the OPPORTUNITY. So if HE doesn't believe he has that in NY than why not take that chance with another team? If he produces then he can sign a bigger contract.

But but the Rangers would match!! Well New York currently has roughly 2.2 million in cap space and no LTIR. They could match, but depending on the amount, which doesn't have to be a huge cap or long term, would they be able to? Another team could offer between 2.1m and 4.2m and only have to give up a 2nd round pick. If Lafrenière accepted a 1-3 year offer sheet for 4.2m then the Rangers would probably have to get rid of 2-3 million to fit that in, who goes this year?

If the Rangers match the offer sheet:
1) They have to drop salary
2) They have to give Lafrenière more opportunity
3) They have to believe he's a better player his numbers show

Why not go out and sign a UFA....because there is no one 21 years old and has the ceiling of Lafrenière. Tatar is a great example, 20 goals and 28 assists...he didn't score those points playing on the 4th line. Actually 30 of those points came playing with Hischier, surprisingly his numbers dipped when they traded for Meier. He had roughly the same ice time as Lafrenière, but not the same opportunity.

Personally I think Lafrenière would fit in nicely with Nashville.
- Glak18

Wow. Nice work.

At least the point I was trying to make is Lafreniere could still sign an offer sheet that is less than 6m, but more than what the Rangers are able to pay due to their cap situation.

What's 3.5-4m for compensation? Will the Rangers match? High probability, but it forces the Rangers to make a move they probably don't want to...so there's a possibility they don't match.

Lafreniere makes a bit more, but more importantly gets more ice time/opportunity, which he will not get with NYR top 6. Even if Lafreniere has a great season (60 some points) the Rangers are not going to pay top 6 money for someone going to play on the 3rd line.
- Glak18

That's fair. I don't disagree with your logic, I just don't know what exactly it is he values most.

He may not have the opportunity to be a star on the Rangers and if he wants a bigger role then, yeah, he could definitely look to sign an offer sheet if he were given one and maybe the Rangers couldn't match.

But he's on a pretty good team that has a chance to make not-insignificant runs in the playoffs. If he values winning then he'd likely want to stay put because there are only about 6 teams that could currently afford to offer him more than $4M/year AAV and most of them are total dog poop.

But yes, he would have a better chance at increasing his pay if he went elsewhere and took on a bigger role.

They need to sign him and start the season. I cant continue to watch the garbage Yankees.

They need to sign him and start the season. I cant continue to watch the garbage Yankees.
- tomburton99

I gave up that a month ago