Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
New York's Alexis Lafreniere's $7.45M deal makes a 31-team trade inevitable for Rangers
Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
NHL Trade Rumors says Alexis Lafreniere, 24, could hit the market, and his $7.45 million ticket is open to all 31 teams this summer.
Alexis Lafreniere was the 2020 first-overall pick by the New York Rangers. He is in year one of a seven-year deal that runs through 2031-32.
The contract matters more than the rumor. His eight-team no-trade list does not kick in until 2027-28, so every club can call this summer.
That is why this idea has real teeth. He is tradable before protection tightens, and he is young enough to fit a contender, a retool, or a rebuild.
His 2025-26 line sits at 20-27-47 in 70 games. The underlying push is fine too, with a 53.0 GF%, 53.0 xGF%, and 6.5 RELxGF%.
This is not a cap dump. The league cap rises to $104 million in 2026-27, and New York is projected well under that line right now.
You can see why the noise is back. The Rangers are 28-33-9, missed their window, and now every core piece gets re-scored.
He still looks like a top-six winger who needs pace around him. Put him with a center who attacks off the rush, and the middle lane opens fast.
You can see the exact post that sparked the latest round of talk here.
Alexis Lafreniere puts New York Rangers on edge
Fans are right to read this as roster-construction noise, not throwaway gossip.
For contenders, Lafreniere is a controlled scoring bet. For bad teams, he is a 24-year-old former first pick whose price might still sit below star level.
Monday against Ottawa will not decide his future. It does show whether New York still believes he can drive play instead of riding shotgun.
That is the real summer question. If the Rangers doubt the ceiling, all 31 other teams should be dialing.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Pittsburgh Penguins' playoff hopes weaken as defensive breakdowns continue in March
Pittsburgh Penguins' playoff hopes weaken as defensive breakdowns continue in March
| POLL | ||
MARS 23|58 ANSWERS New York's Alexis Lafreniere's $7.45M deal makes a 31-team trade inevitable for Rangers Should the New York Rangers shop Alexis Lafreniere this summer? | ||
| Yes | 45 | 77.6 % |
| No | 13 | 22.4 % |
| List of polls | ||