Alexis Lafreniere's time with the New York Rangers hasn't been easy. People were very excited when he joined the team, given his impressive performance in the QMJHL, which was comparable to Sidney Crosby.
However, things have changed, and now he's not playing in a prominent role but rather on the Rangers' third line. This has left fans confused, wondering if Lafreniere would do better in a different environment.
Lafreniere is now a restricted free agent, and he's yet to secure a contract for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The Rangers are facing a problem with their salary cap, as they have little more than $2 million in projected space. This situation allows other teams with more cap space and draft capital to potentially make an attractive offer to Lafreniere.
The San Jose Sharks are in the early stages of rebuilding. They may soon release their star defenseman Erik Karlsson to free up salary space. Additionally, they have a second-round draft pick, which they could use to propose an offer to Lafreniere. The Rangers might struggle to match such an offer.
This deal would benefit the Sharks, as they would gain a talented forward in Lafreniere, whose youth fits well with the team's new core. It could be the perfect opportunity for Lafreniere to shine and live up to the high expectations surrounding him.
On the other hand, the Rangers would receive a second-round pick, which could help strengthen their current roster. Moreover, they would escape the constant media scrutiny regarding their management of Lafreniere.
Do you think Lafreniere played his last game with the Rangers?