As we approach the opening of free agency, it turns out that the Rangers have been trying to move on from former first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere according to the Athletic. It’s not a minor development as one of the most promising young talents on the roster, the 2020 1st overall pick could be on his way out of New York. This could spell disaster for a team that needs young players to step up next year.
Lafreniere has struggled since he was drafted by the Rangers as he has never made himself a full-time top-six player. He’s been mostly on the third line, and while he contributed to the line that would become known as the Blueshirts kid line with Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil, he’s struggled to breakthrough like everyone expected when he was drafted during the Coronavirus Pandemic.