Alexis Lafrenière signs a contract slightly smaller than Juraj Slafkovsky’s

Dans les Coulisses
Crédit:

In the last few weeks, we learned that the Rangers and Alexis Lafrenière were negotiating a new, longer-term contract.

And clearly, based on what we’ve seen in the last few minutes, the Québécois is putting down roots in New York. I say this because Elliotte Friedman reported that negotiations are intensifying…

But also because Larry Brooks has come up with some figures. He’s talking about seven years (not eight) at just under $7.6 million a year.

It’s worth mentioning that Juraj Slafkovsky, who some wanted to trade for Lafreniere at some point, has an eight-year contract in his pocket (also starting in 2025), but at $7.6M per year.

Slaf’s is (slightly) bigger, but the two deals are similar.

In both cases, we’re talking about a first overall pick drafted by Jeff Gorton. But the difference is that Slaf signed his big contract on the first day he could.

Lafrenière? Two and a half years (and a bridge contract) after he was able to sign his second NHL contract.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

The Québécois turned 23 two weeks ago, which means he’ll be 30 the day his next big contract expires. That’s probably why we’re talking about seven years and not eight.

This season, the Québécois has seven points in seven games.

(Credit: Hockey DB)

We thought the Rangers wanted to settle on Igor Shesterkin before doing the same for Lafrenière, but it’s looking pretty complicated for the goalie right now.

Lafrenière will thus become one of the highest-paid Québécois players in the NHL.

Overtime

– That makes sense.

– Here’s to your predictions.

– Who is John Tortorella?