2023-08-16 16:51:54
QUEBEC CITY – Contract negotiations with the New York Rangers are taking longer than he would like. Alexis Lafrenière nevertheless remains optimistic that the case will soon have a happy ending.
“It’s coming,” reassured the young forward as part of the Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron last week. “My agent and the Rangers are in discussion. I hope this will be sorted out in the next few weeks. »
Lafrenière has restricted free agent status. It would be hard to see why the talks would not unblock on a new agreement.
“That’s the years of contract renegotiation, you have to be patient. It happens that it takes longer, he added. I’m really looking forward to re-signing. I love everything about playing in New York: the city, the “fans”, the arena.
“Playing at Madison Square Garden is amazing every night. Especially in series it is very noisy. Between games there is so much to do. It’s fun for hockey and everyday life. »
The 21-year-old Quebecer still seems to be part of the Rangers’ future plans, even if he does not know the hoped-for career start as the No. 1 prospect in the 2020 draft. team, replacing Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette has indicated that he plans to increase Lafrenière’s playing time.
“Each player wants to play as many minutes as possible, reacted Lafrenière. It will be up to me to have a good training camp and a good start to the season, having fun and taking advantage of the situation. »
Video: NYR@FLA: Lafrenière leads on the backhand side and scores
Lafrenière noted that few of his teammates know veteran Laviolette well. As there have also been a lot of changes in the player personnel, “it will be a new adaptation again”.
It’s that the early elimination of the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs – seven games against sworn enemies the New Jersey Devils – went awry in the leaders’ throats.
“A series that goes to seven games can go one way or the other,” said Lafrenière. It was one more experience to put in our luggage. We will come back stronger this season.
“We are going to try to get back on a good footing with a new coach. We will get to know him,” he added.
On a personal level, already in his fourth season in the NHL, Lafrenière said he was ready to occupy more space on offense. Although confined mainly to a support role during his first three seasons, he showed a slow progression in points collection – 21 (in 56 games), 31 and 39 points, respectively.
“I want to take another ‘step’ offensively for sure,” he said. I’ve improved both ways of the ice, but I want to have more offensive production and create more offense. I’m working on it. With patience, it will come. »
Lafrenière said he emphasizes his skating and the strength of his shot in training.
“These are aspects that will add bite to my game,” he said. I feel like I’m improving my skating. It will help me. »
The arrival of a veteran like forward Blake Wheeler could also be beneficial to him.
“He’s one of the best passers in the league, a playmaker,” he said of the former Winnipeg Jets. “It’s fun to play with a guy like that. He’s a big guy, very talented. He is a right-hander who plays on the right wing, that will help us. »
Happy for a friend
Lafrenière also said he was happy for his friend Nathan Légaré, whom the Montreal Canadiens have just acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins – in the exchange of Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick.
“He just bought a house in Laval, that’s good for him,” he said. It’s a new start for him, I’m super happy. He gets closer to his family and friends. »
The 22-year-old Montrealer Légaré is a robust forward who was a Penguins third-round pick in 2019. He has spent the last two seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), scoring successively 16 and 19 points.
“He’s a big guy, physical, who has a good throw and impeccable work habits, described Lafrenière. He is a “gamer”, he is at his best the higher the stakes. He’s a team guy. It’s a good addition for the Laval Rocket and also for the Canadians. »
Article written in collaboration with Sébastien Deschambault, Editorial Director NHL.com
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