Rangers Roundup: trade rumor updates, how Lafreniere fits, and more news
Your morning Rangers news to start your day is here. In truth, I thought I had put to bed any ideas that the Blueshirts would consider trading the #1 pick, but I was wrong. Let’s get cracking folks.
Rangers will listen to offers for the number one pick
Late yesterday, Ottawa Sun’s hockey insider, Bruce Garrioch published an article claiming the Rangers will listen to offers for the #1 pick. The story states that Jeff Gorton will listen to offers if it helps him get a second line center.
The thinking is that the Rangers already have left-wingers Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider, so it may be difficult for Lafrenière, who had 112 points in junior last season, to fit into the roster immediately. You can be certain Gorton will find a place, though, unless some other NHL club makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
Ottawa Sun
I can’t stress this enough…
I spoke to several sources close to the Rangers and they are over the moon about winning the pick. And although they won’t commit to picking Alexis Lafreniere publicly, that is exactly who they are taking.
From a logical standpoint, with the cap flat at $81.5 million for the next few years, why would the Rangers move a cost controlled phenom for a $10 million center? It’s a rhetorical question because they wouldn’t.
Scouting Alexis Lafreniere with the Draft Analyst on latest podcast
Yesterday, I spoke with Steve Kournianos (aka: The Draft Analyst) about Alexis Lafreniere. At one point I asked him point blank, if Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko were in this draft, who would he take with the #1 pick. His reply was immediate, check it below.
The rest of the podcast is available on iTunes and all your favorite listening platforms. I will post the full show here soon.
Where does Alexis Lafreniere fit with the Rangers?
MSG Network addressed the question of where Alexis Lafreniere will fit with the Rangers. You can watch it here, but the takeaway was his skills could make him a player at any forward position. Could Alexis Lafreniere be used at center? Playing with Panarin? I mean, at this point it’s certainly a possibility once they call his name at the draft.
For me, I am a proponent of keeping high skilled players at the position they are most comfortable with. So if that is LW, then he should immediately slot on the left side of Mika Zibanejad.
The scouting report with Steve on the podcast says he leans pass first and that would only help the shoot first Zibanejad. It also deepens the lineup by letting Chris Kreider ride shotgun with Filip Chytil at the 3C position.
Henrik Lundqvist back in Sweden
I once again spoke with sources in Sweden about anything coming out of Frolunda. At this time, Fred Sjöström who is the director of the team, a former Ranger and friend to Henrik Lundqvist is not willing to comment.
You can bet after yesterday’s revelation that the Rangers will not carry three goalies next season, talks will ratchet up. Keep it here for the best inside NYR info you will find anywhere.
More NY Rangers news
NY Post discusses how JD and Gorton won’t take any shortcuts with the rebuild
JD tells Henrik Lundqvist team will not carry 3 goalies, likely won’t return
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