Lafrenière / Rangers

[rs421]

What do you think of the result for the first choice? Possible destination for Lafrenière in NY! In your opinion, is Lafrenière a definite first choice for all teams?

[LuigiC173]

yes, he is unquestioned best talent and to a level where despite team needs you take the best available and figure it out after.

[Axeman33]

I think the Rangers need Byfield more than Lafreniere, but they won't pass on Lafreniere.

[LuigiC173]

I think the Rangers need Byfield more than Lafreniere, but they won't pass on Lafreniere.

I did ponder this as I like Byfield a lot but Alexis is a talent you must take if you are the one with the opportunity. With the logjam coming on defense once Lundkvist and Miller arrive, they def have options to trade for center help. Whatever center rides with him will mirror the likes of Strome riding the coat tails of Panarin.

[JHouly]

I'm curious to know what you think will be Lafrenière's future linemates?

[DocMcPuffin]

Any chance they use Deangelo as trade bait for a C? Asking for a friend who just happens to own Fox

[kevinsrangers]

he's the number one pick. The only way i see them getting byfield is by trading pick one for two plus.

[Atomic Wedgy]

I think the Rangers need Byfield more than Lafreniere, but they won't pass on Lafreniere.

Trade down from 1st overall? Doubt that could that ever happen...

[tobias]

This could make Strome, and his new contract demands, expendable. Invest money in their D, instead.

[JHouly]

If Ottawa offers pick number 3 and 5 for the number 1 maybe...

[NewJersyFan]

I did ponder this as I like Byfield a lot but Alexis is a talent you must take if you are the one with the opportunity. With the logjam coming on defense once Lundkvist and Miller arrive, they def have options to trade for center help. Whatever center rides with him will mirror the likes of Strome riding the coat tails of Panarin.

I could see a trade with LA. A center going to the rangers ( eg. Turcotte/ Vilardi etc.) for a defensman like Miller/ Deangelo/ Lundqvist going to LA.

[Luffy D Monkey]

This could make Strome, and his new contract demands, expendable. Invest money in their D, instead.

I'm not super familiar with the team, but everything I've read suggests they're weak at C depth, and Strome has done a great job as a #2 center with the ability to slot up to the first line. I don't see any way they can afford to lose him.

Chytil is a good prospect but I don't see him being anywhere close to #2 C on a team with Cup aspirations.

[Luffy D Monkey]

I could see a trade with LA. A center going to the rangers ( eg. Turcotte/ Vilardi etc.) for a defensman like Miller/ Deangelo/ Lundqvist going to LA.

Maybe 1OA for Turcotte and 2OA but that still seems like not enough. There's a real gap after Lafreniere, positional requirements be damned.

[forsbergfan]

After the first draft lottery, Pierre Dorion was asked if he'd package 3 and 5 for 1 and didn't answer (I think he might have given a smile). I think his answer indicated he'd definitely do it, but there was almost no way the team who'd win the lottery would do it. The Rangers, I believe, are the one team that could actually do that swap. They need C depth, and they're absolutely stacked on the wing. If they get 3 and 5, they get either Byfield or Stutzle, plus, assuming Perfetti is going to Detroit, they also get Marco Rossi. So their C position is set for a really long time.

[Axeman33]

he's the number one pick. The only way i see them getting byfield is by trading pick one for two plus.

I don't disagree. I just think the Rangers, with the way they are built today, could use Byfield more than Lafreniere. It just means Gorton has more work to do to even out his lines. They have plenty of assets to go hunting for a quality 2C, which isn't always the easiest thing to acquire.