Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
With Oliver Kapanen’s success between Juraj Slafkosky and Ivan Demidov on the Montreal Canadiens’ second line, it changes everything.
The hole in the lineup now seems to be more on the wing than at center.
Indeed, even though Alexandre Texier is doing well with Suzuki and Caufield, a true top-6 winger could further solidify the team’s lineup.
It appears that a player of that type may currently be available with the New York Rangers: Alexis Lafrenière.
Chris Drury has started cleaning house with the New York Rangers
A few weeks ago, Rangers GM Chris Drury sent a letter to the team’s fans.
In it, the former NHL player explained that he doesn’t want to rebuild, but rather build around the players and prospects already in place within the organization.
But to build, you have to make moves.
So it’s clear that trades are coming in the Big Apple.
It already began when Drury traded defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders for a third-round pick.
The next one to leave the Blue Shirts could very well be Artemi Panarin, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
But according to Elliotte Friedman, it wouldn’t be surprising if Alexis Lafrenière were involved in discussions.
The hockey insider even envisions a one-for-one trade with Shane Wright.
“I was talking to some people…they heard us talking about Alexis Lafreniere…and could you see them doing something like…Shane Wright for Lafreniere; I don’t know how both teams would feel; that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
– Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
What if Jeff Gorton pushed Kent Hughes to go get his former protégé?
We all know it was Jeff Gorton who selected Alexis Lafrenière first overall in 2020.
“I think Alexis Lafrenière on the right of Suzuki and Caufield would be an extraordinary fit.
With the second line staying intact, I could easily see Jake Evans flanked by Newhook and Dach on a third line, and Phillip Danault centering Josh Anderson and Samuel Blais on the fourth unit.”
– Jean-Charles Lajoie
To acquire him, Lajoie would be willing to sacrifice Zachary Bolduc, Jayden Struble, and a high draft pick.
“It doesn’t make me happy, but Zachary Bolduc could be sacrificed in this deal.
I think by including Zach, Kent Hughes could keep Alex Newhook and instead include Texier and his two-year contract at $2.5 million per season.
A young defenseman like Jayden Struble and a high draft pick would complete a generous offer that would allow the Canadiens to ice a lineup of 14 forwards, 7 defensemen with the recall, at their discretion, of Engström or Reinbacher, and two goaltenders, with Fowler or Dobes being sent back to Laval.”
– Jean-Charles Lajoie
A conservative proposal from Simon Boisvert to acquire the Quebecer
On his side, Simon Boisvert would be willing to do it — but not at any price.
In a recent episode of the podcast Mathias et le Serpent, his co-host Mathias Brunet wondered whether the Canadiens should try to acquire Quebec winger Alexis Lafrenière.
Here’s what the Snake would be willing to give up for Lafrenière:
“Alexis Lafrenière is not as good as I thought, but I never believed he would be a superstar.
Given what my expectations are of him now, yes, I would go get him — and the most I’d be willing to give is a late first-round pick and a B-level prospect.”
– Simon “The Snake” Boisvert
In my opinion, that won’t be enough to pry Laffy out of New York — especially knowing that the relationship between the two clubs following Gorton’s departure probably isn’t very good.
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