NHL Community: Elliotte Friedman on New York Rangers ahead Alexis Lafreniere will likely be a restricted free agent after the season and is lining himself up for a pleasant elevate. Time period may very well 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 should you 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 following few years. You understand, the, the truth that there’s a brand new CBA is coming in right here too. And what might that imply as quickly as subsequent yr?
Like, there are some folks questioning if, because the Commissioner has hinted, they will get it finished early, say, for instance, on the Stanley Cup Remaining, might 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 a degree the place you won’t get one other massive deal out of that. So it’d find yourself being a bit shorter, versus the total 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 truly 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 desires. 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 will likely be, and that’s going to extend his numbers. You possibly can argue that he needs to be on it proper now, however they’ve bought their 5 guys, they usually’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 might see why they’d need to go lengthy. However that has to weigh into it, doesn’t it?
Friedman: “Dan, you have 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 imagine 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 staff and I determine that it is 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 won’t be capable to hit one other one out of the park.
EJ Hradek: “Yeah, perhaps it’s a Matthews sort factor the place you do 4 years, you then’re one other alternative, like your level Elliotte, you can also make, make some extra hay down the highway if issues proceed to go nicely. I need to …”
Friedman: “I don’t. I don’t know should you do 4, as a result of that walks you proper to free company, I imagine. So often the staff will need a bit bit extra or a bit bit much less.
Hradek: “Yeah, I can see that. However to me, I wouldn’t, I’m by no means petrified of that, from, if I’m working the present there, particularly in New York the place folks need to play for the New York Rangers. If issues are going nicely with the participant and issues are going nicely with the staff, I’m not nervous about that.
As a result of I believe that the, you understand, I’ll make the deal occur. You understand, I can see why elsewhere, perhaps 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 staff 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 masking this and it’s been some time.