We now know the truth behind Alexis Lafreniere's short-term contract

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Tom Banks
August 25, 2023 (3:27 PM)

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Alexis Lafreniere hasn't ever quite hit his strides in the NHL since being the top pick back in the 2020 NHL Draft, and now, his time in New York could slowly be coming to an end.

A fresh start?

While the signing of an extension would signal to most fans that Lafreniere is remaining in New York, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman had a different take on the two-year deal.

According to Friedman, the two-year, $2.35 AAV deal was to give him one final shot in New York under a new coach, and if that doesn't work, his number is very palatable for a trade next season.

Everybody is kind of in a position where they're saying, look, we're going to try this under a new coach, see where it goes if it's not good next summer then I think you can move him at a number that I think teams can handle because I just think if it's another year likes this they're probably going to have to move on. To me it's a 2-yr deal, but it's a 1-yr deal in New York and then we will see.

Untapped potential

Whether it be the bright lights of New York, the changing opportunities and linemates or another reason, it appears Lafreniere just hasn't been developed the way fans would have liked, and now he may be done.

Ultimately, he has scored just 47 goals and 91 points in his 216 NHL games played to date, but at 21-years old, there's no reason he can't turn it around, so 2023-24 is his chance to survive in New York, and if not, he'll be getting a fresh start.

As Read on Hockey Feed - The real truth behind Alexis Lafrenière's contract in New York emerges!