Rangers Roundup: Alexis Lafreniere fine after slapshot, NHL salary cap going up, and more
The New York Rangers fell to the Boston Bruins in OT on Tuesday night, but avoided a catastrophe to Alexis Lafreniere.
With 5:50 left in regulation, Hunter Skinner’s point shot caught Lafreniere low and sent him hobbling in pain to the bench. The Rangers first overall pick in 2020 was wincing and saying, “My foot. My foot,” to trainer Jim Ramsey.
Dryden Hunt took his place on the top line, but Lafreniere remained on the bench for the rest of the game.
Alexis Lafreniere fine after slapshot
After the game, the New York Rangers sent out word that Lafreniere was fine and they didn’t expect any further issue.
Lafrenière, 21, had a solid sophomore season with the New York Rangers by scoring 19 goals and totaling 39 points in 79 games. In the postseason, he showed that his game could find another level as he picked up his physical play. That led to an additional 9 points (2G – 7A) in 20 playoff contests.
Last night, he played on the right wing, which is his best chance to play in the top six this season. He’s been a left wing his entire career dating back to juniors.
NHL Salary Cap going up
A new report regarding the NHL Salary Cap by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Rory Boylen indicates a possible rise by almost $10 million over the course of the next few seasons.
According to multiple sources NHL teams have been given some guidance on where the cap could be going over the next few seasons.
Sportsnet
NHL Salary Cap projections:
- $83.5 million in 2023-24
- $87.5 million to $88 million in 2024-25
- $92 million in 2025-26 (estimated)
In June, Commissioner Gary Bettman reported record revenues of $5.2 billion.
“Our revenues this season will be a record-high and within two, possibly creeping into three years we are anticipating resuming the more regular increases that the people had been growing to expect from the salary cap,” Bettman revealed.
Bettman also noted that a $1 billion debt held by the players will be repaid to owners by the end of the 2024-25 season, allowing for a significant increase to the cap in 2025-26 which the projections account for.
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