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 could possibly 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 take 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 may that imply as quickly as subsequent yr?
Like, there are some individuals questioning if, because the Commissioner has hinted, they will get it carried out early, say, for instance, on the Stanley Cup Ultimate, may they alter 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 won’t get one other large deal out of that. So it’d find yourself being a bit shorter, versus the total eight.
However I feel 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 fascinating to me, as a result of I truly take a look at Lafreniere’s deal as being the extra fascinating one for the Rangers. I feel I agree with you. I feel 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 may argue that he ought to be on it proper now, however they’ve acquired 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 wish 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 needed to increase him long-term.
Simply, you understand, one of many issues when somebody had instructed me was, does eight actually make sense for the participant on this case? And I feel you’re proper. If I’m a group and I resolve 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 won’t be capable to hit one other one out of the park.
EJ Hradek: “Yeah, possibly it’s a Matthews sort factor the place you do 4 years, then you definately’re one other alternative, like your level Elliotte, you may make, make some extra hay down the street if issues proceed to go nicely. I wish 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 normally the group 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 individuals wish to play for the New York Rangers. If issues are going nicely with the participant and issues are going nicely with the group, I’m not anxious about that.
As a result of I feel that the, you understand, I’ll make the deal occur. You understand, I can see why elsewhere, possibly they’d be and also you wish to watch out. However for me, I at all times really feel prefer it’s good for everyone. If the group is doing nicely and the participant is doing nicely, we’re going to come back 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.
