Alexis Lafreniere did the New York Rangers a major favour, and took a huge pay cut

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Joshua Deeds
October 26, 2024 (6:01 PM)

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The New York Rangers secured a big piece in the by locking down winger Alexis Lafreniere, for the next 7-years, with a $7.45 deal that begins in 2025-2026.

Given last season was his most productive, with a 28-goal year, scoring 57 points and being a key factor in the playoffs, he surely could've gotten more right?

That's what teammate, and linemate Vinnie Troecheck believes at least.

While he could've waited for more of a lucrative deal, he decided to sign a deal now rather than wait for the salary cap to go up significantly.

«Not really,» Lafrenière said via Colin Stephenson of Newsday about if he considered taking a shorter term deal to wait for the cap to go up. «I think, you know, seven years was good... There was different options, but that's the one we we liked, and we took it.»

There were reports that October 26, 2024 ' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Lafreniere wasn't willing to sign an extension earlier this week, but was it more about money or term for the winger?

It appears the major pain point for the winger was term, which GM Chris Drury had no problem taking a longer risk on Lafreniere.

This decision puts the team above Lafreniere and will give Chris Drury the flexibility needed to acquire talent for future cup runs. While the winger did have the choice of asking for more money on the contract, he opted instead to remain humble and take more terms instead.

«It's nice to get it done and just focus on the season and help the team win,» Lafrenière said.

Now, Lafreniere and the Rangers can focus on the season ahead, and work on winning a Stanley Cup.

Now, GM Chris Drury has Igor Shesterkin, K'Andre Miller, Zac Jones, Will Cuylle, Adam Edstrom, and Kaapo Kakko 's deal to address next.