It was recently reported that the New York Rangers and left winger Alexis Lafreniere agreed on the 23-year-old’s first major contract extension.
Before the 2023-24 season, Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury signed Alexis Lafreniere to a two-year bridge contract worth $4.6 million. That was before Lafreniere scored 57 points and had what most called his breakout season. Now, the Rangers and Lafreniere have agreed on a seven-year extension worth $52.15 million.
That’s a big raise. Lafreniere will make $2.3 million this season, and his extension will kick in next season (2025-26) at $7.45 million annually.
Lafreniere has earned this contract with his play. He’s been one of the Rangers’ biggest offensive threats since last season. During the Rangers’ 2024 playoff run, Lafreniere scored eight goals, which was tied for the team lead with Vincent Trocheck. Lafreniere’s playoffs — especially the four goals he scored in the Eastern Conference Final — cemented his place as a clutch performer and one of the top young superstars in the NHL.
In the early part of this season, the 23-year-old from St. Eustache, Quebec, has picked up where he left off. In seven games, Lafreniere has seven points (four goals and three assists). Besides the stats, Lafreniere looks like a different player than the timid young player he was when he first stepped into the league during the 2020-21 season. Of course, the pandemic ensured that Lafreniere embarked on his first year in the NHL without development camp, a proper training camp or exhibition games to prepare himself with.
What’s most impressive about Lafreniere is that through four complete seasons, he has amassed 155 points in 305 games without spending much time racking up points on the power play. Of the 155 points he has scored, only 30 have come with the man advantage. Being a strong 5-on-5 player is a great trait to have in the NHL and the Rangers’ young stud is.
A Win-Win For The Rangers
The seven-year, $52 million extension is a good deal for both parties. Lafreniere gets a significant raise above the $2.3 million he makes now. The Rangers keep their budding superstar for the foreseeable future at an annual average value (AAV) of less than eight million. Eight million is the ceiling that Lafreniere could have commanded based on his production last season on the free agent market.
The Rangers can now use the cap space that Lafreniere’s extension affords them on pending restricted free agent K’Andre Miller and pending unrestricted free agent Igor Shesterkin. And based on Shesterkin declining an $11 million offer, the Rangers will need all the cap space they can get.
At the end of the day, the extension is well deserved. Lafreniere has earned the $5 million raise by consistently performing like a top-six forward should. He has done it during the regular season and playoffs. He is one of the top young forwards in the NHL and if he keeps on developing, he will become a superstar and perennial all-star game selection.
