New York Rangers to reportedly sign player to massive extension imminently: it is not Igor Shesterkin
After a slightly slow start to his NHL career, Rangers Alexis Lafreniere has really picked it up over the last two seasons and is set to receive a huge reward.
The New York Rangers have been onboarding, rather patiently, two of the most promising young stars over the last few seasons in Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. With high praise on both draft picks, the organization has taken a patient route to wait for either of them to realize their potential. It now seems like the team is ready to reward one of these players for his continued development.
Going into last year, many thought it would be a make-or-break season for Lafreniere, the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. There were questions as to whether he could establish himself as a full-time player with the team, or if the Rangers needed to go in another direction altogether. Those question marks on Lafreniere were answered in loud fashion this past season, where he put up career-best numbers across the board: 28 goals, 57 points, and playing all 82 games. His consistency has led the Rangers to believe he's prepared for an even greater role going forward.
According to reports, the Rangers are now having discussions with Lafreniere on a long-term contract extension that could be in the neighborhood of eight years for approximately $8 million per year. According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, management seems to think the 23-year-old winger is ready to take another step in his career, making this an important time for both the player and the organization. Locking in Lafreniere's future would add stability as the Rangers look to build a team capable of going on deep playoff runs.
There is still some question about the timing of the contract talks, and a deal could still be finalized before the off-season when Lafreniere is set to become a restricted free agent. While not as impactful right out of the gate, like most of the other top picks around the league, Lafreniere has shown steady improvement to this day, especially with the start of the 2024-2025 season on the top line and two points in just one game. His upward trajectory signals he is prepared to assume greater responsibility.
Going forward, the Rangers will have to make a handful of financial decisions, including future commitments to star goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Locking down key players like Alexis Lafreniere is a part of the team's strategy to build a roster that will return to the Stanley Cup Finals. Evidently, the Rangers are believers in their core of young and talented players, and they are ready to invest for the long term.
