Alexis Lafrenière: a $64 million contract is an option on the table

Jasons des Rangers.

At the moment, the New York club is the talk of the town due to the contractual situation of goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The goalie wants a lot of money, and that’s getting a lot of attention.

But he’s not the only player who’ll need a contract in the summer of 2025.

Restricted free agents: Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafrenière, Adam Edstrom, Will Cuylle, Matt Rempe, K’Andre Miller, Zac Jones
Unrestricted free agents: Reilly Smith, Ryan Lindgren, Chad Ruhwedel, Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick, Jimmy Vesey

After all, Chris Drury won’t have the means to fulfill his ambitions, let’s face it.

And even if we understand that Igor is a priority, the boss is obviously managing several dossiers at once. And one of those is that of Québécois Alexis Lafrenière.

According to Frank Seravalli, the Rangers and the player’s clan began negotiations during the off-season. And if the file isn’t imminent, it’s because the Shesterkin file is more pressing at the moment. After all, Lafrenière won’t be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

A scenario on the table? Eight years, eight million dollars a year.

With so much focus on Igor Shesterkin, #NYR have also been working on a deal with Alexis Lafreniere going back to summer.

Talks ongoing. Different options on table. One of them: 8 years x $8 mil range.

Details tonight on @SportsOnPrimeCA :pic.twitter.com/0TstJvskN6

– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 11, 2024

That’s not to say it’s certain to be the chosen scenario, but it does demonstrate the club’s confidence in him. And deservedly so, given his recent breakthrough.

Jeff Gorton was the right choice.

Should Lafrenière take fewer years, his annual salary will drop. But in any case, don’t expect him to earn less than $7 million per campaign.

If he earns at least $8 million, he’ll be one of the highest-paid Québécois in the NHL. Thomas Chabot (8), Pierre-Luc Dubois (8.5) and Jonathan Huberdeau (10.5) are the highest earners in La Belle Province, which is losing feathers in terms of players.

Alberta has caught up with Quebec in terms of the number of active NHL players.https://t.co/dYoQ71K8VT

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) October 11, 2024

Overtime

– To listen.

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– There are still options.

Athletic subscribers: What we’re hearing about 4 veteran UFA defensemen looking for another shot. @reporterchris and @PierreVLeBrun have the latest on former Blue Kevin Shattenkirk’s hopes for a contract. https://t.co/wWclhUwlGI #stlblues

– Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) October 11, 2024

– Well done.

Jett Luchanko will become the youngest player ever to wear a Flyers jersey https://t.co/8HsI27k0aX pic.twitter.com/BD05MTnGrp

– SwissHabs (@SwissHabs) October 11, 2024

– Ridiculous.

A Coyotes fan who saw his club move to Utah can’t even follow his team due to a regional blackout.

Honestly, in today’s reality where accessibility to illegal streams is so easy, this is so passé date as a formula. https://t. co/t5l0Vb70bE

– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) October 11, 2024

– Martin Brodeur supports the guys at La Poche Bleue.