Alexis Lafrenière bluntly reacts to uncertain future with Rangers
The clock continues to tick for Alexis Lafreniere and the New York Rangers regarding a new contract.
HockeyFeed
The heat is on first overall pick in the 2020 Alexis Lafrenière, who unfortunately failed to impress during the New York Rangers’ short playoff run this past spring. This has had an impact on the ongoing contract situation with the restricted free agent, who still awaits his extension with the team.
While GM Chris Drury said he was intent on re-signing Lafreniere back on July 1st, fans are still waiting for the announcement to be made by the cap-strapped Rangers. New York has roughly only $2.3 million in space,
When asked about the waiting game and his future with the Blue Shirts, Lafrenière did not seem fazed and only reacted by telling La Presse’s Simon Olivier Lorange in mid-August that a new contract is imminent. This is how he copes with the uncertainty:
“It’s cool. That’s the NHL,” he replied, translated from French. “You have to be patient. Sometimes it takes longer.”
As simple as that…
When Peter Laviolette was hired to take over behind the Rangers’ bench, he offered some positive news to Lafrenière, stating that he hopes to give him more responsibilities and to Kaapo Kakko next season. Laviolette could build off
Lafreniere and Kakko’s career season they enjoyed in 2022-23. The latter put up career-high 18 goals and 40 points in all 82 games, while Lafrenière posted a career-best 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) in one less contest.
Lafrenière could certainly benefit from that approach and build off the confidence on that new contract in hand… whenever it gets signed…
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