Blockbuster Trade proposal surfaces for New York Rangers former first overall draft pick
The NHL trade deadline winds continued to swirl around the league and especially teams like the New York Rangers where a potential trade proposal has surfaced for the Rangers with send former first round pick Alexis Lafreniere out of the Big Apple.
This proposal with see Lafreniere head to the Buffalo Sabres along with a 2026 first round pick in exchange for JJ Peterka and centerman Ryan McLeod.
This trade would certainly qualify as a blockbuster considering what is going the opposite way from the Rangers.
Rangers continuing to remodel their roster this season
This trade would certainly give the Rangers a different look as Peterka has entered his final year of his entry level contract. The 23-year-old has scored seventeen goals with 27 assists for 44 points through 55 games played for the Sabres and would certainly be a long-term piece for the Rangers.
McLeod would be a complimentary piece for the bottom six of the Rangers as he would give secondary scoring and a modest contract as he only holds a $2.1 million cap hit and he is in the final year of his deal.
The former Edmonton oiler has had a solid season in production as he has scored fourteen goals with 17 assists for 31 points through 54 games.
Moving Lafreniere could be a tough sell for some of the fan base as the former first overall draft pick has seen his numbers regressed this year after a breakout season with the Rangers last year.
Many felt that he would be the star player specially playing alongside Artemi Panarin but that has yet to transpire this year.
Lafreniere's contract extension kicks after the season
The Rangers had signed Lafreniere to a seven-year deal worth $52.15 million holding a cap hit of 7.45 million per season till 2032 and with his production dropping, the Rangers have an opportunity to trade him as his modified no trade clause will not kick in till 2027-2028.
Sending him to the Sabres would give them a star that may need a change of scenery, and he would a fixture on their top 6. The Rangers have also paid his top end of his signing bonus where he would only command a $2,000,000 an $1 million signing bonus after this year is over.
It remains to be seen if general manager Chris Drury could make a deal with his former team but in the meantime all Rangers fans wait and watch to see what he will do next as the clock continues to tick towards Friday at 3:00pm.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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