It seems that Igor Shesterkin isn’t the only star player the New York Rangers are looking to negotiate a new contract with.
Recent reports indicate that the Rangers are also in talks for a contract extension with Alexis Lafreniere, who will be eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season. This development comes as the team aims to solidify its core for the future.
According to Frank Seravalli from Daily Faceoff, the Rangers have already presented Lafreniere with a substantial eight-year extension proposal. He noted that while much of the attention has been on Shesterkin, significant progress has been made regarding Lafreniere’s contract over the summer.
Discussions are said to focus on an eight-year deal worth over $8 million per year. Rangers general manager Chris Drury expressed his desire to keep both Shesterkin and Lafreniere with the team for the long haul.
Drury emphasized his belief in Lafreniere’s potential, stating that the young forward continues to improve. He refrained from going into specifics about negotiations but recognized Lafreniere as an exciting asset for the team.
The recent birthday milestone of Lafreniere, who turned 23, coincided with a notable uptick in his performance last season, where he achieved career highs in goals and points. His contributions in the Stanley Cup Playoffs further underscored his growing importance to the franchise.
Starting the new season strong, Lafreniere showcased his talent by scoring a stunning goal and adding an assist in the Rangers’ 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Currently earning $2.325 million, he won’t be eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2027, but he is arbitration eligible next offseason.
This indicates the Rangers’ urgency in securing a new deal that would ensure they retain him long-term, while also indicating that Drury is balancing negotiations for both Lafreniere and Shesterkin, who recently declined an eight-year, $88 million contract offer.
