The Rangers and right winger Alexis Lafrenière are finalizing a seven-year contract that will carry a $7.45 million average annual value, a league source confirmed Friday. The deal gives the 2020 No. 1 pick long-term security and gives the Rangers some salary cap clarity going forward.
After an up-and-down first three NHL seasons, Lafrenière broke out in 2023-24, scoring a career-high 28 goals and 57 points. He’s picked up where he left off this season and has four goals and three assists in seven games. Almost all of Lafrenière’s production has come at even strength.
“I think his confidence has really grown to the point where last year in the playoffs he was really impactful,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “He started off the same way this year.”
Lafrenière’s numbers would get a boost if he were to get consistent power-play time, but the Rangers have one of the best top units in the league without him. He plays on the second power-play unit, but that grouping doesn’t get much ice time.
Lafrenière was set to hit restricted free agency with arbitration rights this offseason. With his new contract in the fold, the Rangers now have approximately $66.512 million in committed contracts for next season. The cap is projected to go up to $92 million next season.
Though on the surface it seems the Rangers have a significant amount of space, a good chunk of it will go to superstar goalie Igor Shesterkin, assuming the two sides can reach a deal. K’Andre Miller, Zac Jones, Kaapo Kakko, Adam Edström, Will Cuylle and Matt Rempe are all pending restricted free agents, and Reilly Smith and Ryan Lindgren are among the team’s pending unrestricted free agents.
Cap space will get tight quickly, so having Lafrenière locked in at a large but reasonable cap hit is big for general manager Chris Drury and New York’s front office. The Rangers are betting that Lafrenière’s breakout 2023-24 is a sign of what’s to come, and the 23-year-old has made that look wise so far this season.
(Photo: Claus Andersen / Getty Images)
