Recent contract extension casts doubt about Lafrenière's future with the Rangers
It was announced yesterday that Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield received a new five-year $31.25 million contract extension which has shone some light on Rangers Alexis LaFreniere and his future with the team.
Both Byfield and Lafrenière were one and two during the NHL Entry Draft of 2020. Both players have had slow starts in their careers with their teams however, LaFreniere has taken a step forward has he had a breakout year while Byfield continued to struggle.
It's become clear that the Rangers and the kings view their contract extension priorities very differently. General manager rob Blake feels that Byfield will improve his game very shortly and decided to lock him to his new extension one year prior to it ending.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have decided to kick the can down the road and are willing to negotiate with Lafrenière next summer rather than this summer. This is according to Vincent Mercogliano of the USA TODAY network.
«Rangers team president Chris Drury has a lot on his plate this offseason, but signing breakout winger Alexis Lafrenière to an extension doesn't appear to be on the to-do list. All indications are that the two sides will hold off on negotiations until next summer, according to a person with knowledge of the situation part of the USA TODAY Network,» Vincent Mercogliano wrote.
That decision will be heavily scrutinized especially if Lafrenière has another breakout season which could cost the Rangers more money in the long run. It also could mean the end of his stay with Rangers if the money becomes too expensive.
Source : The Hockey News
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 186 ANSWERS Recent contract extension casts doubt about Lafrenière's future with the Rangers Should the Rangers sign or wait to sign Alexis Lafreniere? | ||
| Sign | 152 | 81.7 % |
| Wait | 34 | 18.3 % |
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