The New York Rangers are looking ahead to the 2026 NHL Draft, which begins on Friday. They own the fifth overall pick in this draft after a rather disappointing season. This sets the Blueshirts up to make a big splash once draft weekend rolls around. However, it appears as if former top pick Alexis Lafreniere won't be a part of that sort of business.
Lafreniere has been in the trade rumor mill throughout the offseason. At this time, though, it does not appear as if New York will trade the 24-year-old winger, according to The Athletic's Vincent Z. Mercogliano and Peter Baugh.
“The expectation is that Alexis Lafrenière will remain with the team heading into next season, according to two league sources. The Rangers have been listening to trade offers but are not actively shopping the 24-year-old winger and plan to keep him unless they get blown away,” Mercogliano and Baugh reported on Wednesday night.
Lafreniere has been a polarizing figure on Broadway for much of his tenure in the Big Apple. The former first-overall pick has not become the star the Rangers envisioned when he went first overall back in 2020. However, he has established himself as an effective and capable middle-six winger.
The 24-year-old had a slow start in 2025-26, but turned things on as the season went along. In his final 27 games, Lafreniere scored 14 goals and 28 points. He ended his season with 24 goals and 57 points across a full 82 games. The Rangers finished last in the Eastern Conference, though Lafreniere was a bright spot, and they hope he can continue his momentum heading into 2026-27.
