As trade chatter continues to swirl around Alexis Lafrenière, the New York Rangers appear to be sending a clear message: they’re not interested in moving him.
Despite a dip in production during the 2024-25 season—17 goals and 45 points in 82 games—Lafrenière remains a key piece of the Rangers’ long-term puzzle. The drop-off from his breakout 2023-24 campaign, where he tallied 28 goals and 57 points and shined with eight playoff goals, has raised eyebrows and ignited speculation. But according to reporting from Marc De Foy of the Journal de Montréal, trade rumors do not reflect the team’s current stance.
“According to the information I’ve gathered from the team’s entourage, the trade rumours concerning Lafrenière in no way reflect reality,” wrote De Foy.
That stands in contrast to a recent New York Post article by Mollie Walker, who argued that now is the time to trade Lafrenière while he still holds value. The reasoning? A large contract kicks in starting with the 2025-26 season—$7.45 million annually through 2031-32—and it includes a partial no-trade clause beginning in year three. Committing that kind of cap space to a player with just one 50-point season on his résumé carries risk.
But the Rangers aren’t panicking—and they have reasons to hold firm.
Lafrenière, 23, is still young and developing. He was drafted first overall in 2020 for a reason, and despite inconsistency, his flashes of brilliance—particularly in the 2024 playoffs—are reminders of the upside that remains. Some within the organization believe his deployment hasn’t always maximized his skill set. That could change with the arrival of new head coach Mike Sullivan, known for his success with young talent.
Sullivan may be the reset Lafrenière needs—a coach who can put him in the right positions and build his confidence. At his best, Lafrenière can drive play, contribute on both ends, and be a difference-maker in the postseason. The Rangers aren’t ready to give up on that potential just yet.
This isn’t the first time Lafrenière’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, and it probably won’t be the last. But for now, the Rangers are choosing belief over doubt. They’re betting that the former top pick still has more to give—and that trading him now could end up being a decision they regret.
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