Rangers Secure Lafreniere with Seven-Year Extension Worth $52.15 Million

The New York Rangers have officially signed forward Alexis Lafreniere to a seven-year contract extension, which has an average annual value of $7.45 million, according to Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today Sports.

Lafreniere was on track for restricted free agency next summer. The 23-year-old previously signed a two-year bridge deal worth $4.65 million in August 2023, but his impressive performance last season paved the way for this significant increase. During that season, he achieved career highs with 28 goals and 57 points and contributed 14 points in 16 playoff games as the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.

This season, Lafreniere has continued his strong play, recording seven points in his first seven games.

Once Lafreniere's new contract takes effect next season, he will be the Rangers' fifth-highest-paid player, following Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, and Jacob Trouba. Meanwhile, star goaltender Igor Shesterkin is also in line for an extension, and there are reports that he aims to secure the highest contract ever for a player in his position.

Currently, the Rangers have an estimated $21 million in salary cap space available for the upcoming season, though the 2024-25 salary cap remains unconfirmed. The team has only 12 players under contract beyond this season.

Lafreniere was the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, selected after a successful tenure with the QMJHL's Rimouski Oceanic. He has accumulated 155 points over 305 career games.