NHL Community: Elliotte Friedman on New York Rangers ahead Alexis Lafreniere can be a restricted free agent after the season and is lining himself up for a pleasant elevate. Time period might be a sticking level on this case.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Friedman: “As for LaFreniere, I had heard that one of many points right here that was being mentioned was time period. And you understand, as a result of if you happen to have a look at LaFreniere, particularly as you talked about earlier than, EJ, there’s a perception the cap goes to go up over the subsequent few years. You realize, the, the truth that there’s a brand new CBA is coming in right here too. And what may that imply as quickly as subsequent yr?
Like, there are some individuals questioning if, because the Commissioner has hinted, they’ll get it executed early, say, for instance, on the Stanley Cup Last, may they modify what the projected cap is for subsequent yr? It’s now at $92.4 (million).
So one of many issues I heard was there was a query about, is it smarter to attend? And quantity two, what’s the proper time period for Lafreniere as a result of max time period would possibly take him to some extent the place you may not get one other massive deal out of that. So it’d find yourself being somewhat shorter, versus the complete eight.
However I believe one of many different issues too is, is till you actually know what (Igor) Shesterkin’s quantity is, you understand, do you wait and make it like one other piece of that puzzle?
Dan Rosen: “Yeah Elliotte, it’s attention-grabbing to me, as a result of I really have a look at Lafreniere’s deal as being the extra attention-grabbing one for the Rangers. I believe I agree with you. I believe they’re going to match what Igor needs. He’s going to, they’re going to get there.
However Lafreniere, he’s not on the primary energy play proper now, however in a few years he can be, and that’s going to extend his numbers. You possibly can argue that he must be on it proper now, however they’ve obtained their 5 guys, and so they’ve been there to get it.
When his numbers improve, nicely, that ought to improve the worth that he’s paid, proper? So why would you tie your self into an eight-year deal? In that sense, you probably have a sense that your function goes to extend and your numbers are going to extend, the cap goes to extend, it to me, that makes it extra sense, virtually, for a shorter-term deal from Lafreniere’s viewpoint. From the Rangers viewpoint, I may see why they’d need to go lengthy. However that has to weigh into it, doesn’t it?
Friedman: “Dan, try to be Lafreniere’s consultant since you’re giving the case. No, I, I agree. Like, I completely agree that the Rangers had been speaking to Lafreniere. I do consider they wished to increase him long-term.
Simply, you understand, one of many issues when somebody had informed me was, does eight actually make sense for the participant on this case? And I believe you’re proper. If I’m a crew and I determine that this can be a core participant, I lock them up for so long as I can, as quickly as I can, as a result of the value by no means goes down.
But when I used to be Lafreniere right here, I don’t know if he’d try this, as a result of additionally it takes you to an age on the again finish the place you may not be capable to hit one other one out of the park.
EJ Hradek: “Yeah, possibly it’s a Matthews kind factor the place you do 4 years, you then’re taking a look at one other alternative, like your level Elliotte, you can also make, make some extra hay down the street if issues proceed to go nicely. I need to …”
Friedman: “I don’t. I don’t know if you happen to do 4, as a result of that walks you proper to free company, I consider. So often the crew will need somewhat bit extra or somewhat bit much less.
Hradek: “Yeah, I can see that. However to me, I wouldn’t, I’m by no means terrified of that, from, if I’m working the present there, particularly in New York the place individuals need to play for the New York Rangers. If issues are going nicely with the participant and issues are going nicely with the crew, I’m not fearful about that.
As a result of I believe that the, you understand, I’ll make the deal occur. You realize, I can see why somewhere else, possibly they’d be and also you need to watch out. However for me, I at all times really feel prefer it’s good for everyone. If the crew is doing nicely and the participant is doing nicely, we’re going to return to an settlement. And it’s going to finish up costing cash however that’s the price of doing enterprise in professional sports activities interval. And as you level out, like the value, at all times goes up, that’s simply the way in which it’s been since I’ve been overlaying this and it’s been some time.
