NHL Trade Rumors: Canadiens Linked To Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere

Monday, January 26, 2026 ,
New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere celebrates goal during 2026 game.

The New York Rangers are ready to shake things up and are reportedly willing to consider offers for Alexis Lafreniere.

The latest link has the Montreal Canadiens being floated as a potential trade destination for the former first overall pick.

Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean floated the idea because of Lafreniere’s connection to Canadiens executive Jeff Gorton, who drafted him first overall in 2020, and Elliotte Friedman has also suggested the New York Rangers could at least discuss what a move might look like.

Why the Canadiens might even think about it

Lafreniere is still just 24, he’s sitting at 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points this season, and the pedigree plus upside combo will always tempt a front office that believes a role change can unlock more. 

The resume before the NHL is undeniable, and why he went first overall: he was the CHL Player of the Year twice, and he was named MVP and Best Forward at the 2020 World Juniors while helping Canada win gold. 

Before being drafted, Lafreniere played three seasons with the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL, and recorded 114 goals and 297 total points across just 173 games. 

The problem is fit and the cap hit

The hard part is the contract. 

Lafreniere is signed at a $7.45 million AAV through 2031-32, and that's a massive commitment for a player who has not consistently produced like a top-line winger in the NHL. 

He had a breakout year in the 2023-24 season, recording 28 goals and 57 points over 82 games, and also adding an impressive eight more goals and 14 points in 16 playoff games that year.

He was not able to follow that up the following year, unfortunately, scoring just 17 goals and 45 over 82 games played, and then this season has been much of the season.

On Montreal’s side, the left-wing picture is already crowded, which means any real fit argument probably starts with the Canadiens shaking up their top six, not simply adding another left shot and hoping it works.

It would be tricky for them to do that.

If this ever becomes more than speculation, the most believable version is Montreal calling to check the price, then backing away unless the Rangers either take back significant money or the Canadiens can flip out a contract in the same sequence. 

Until then, it’s the kind of rumor that really only makes sense because of the Quebec connection and Gorton history, but gets messy the second the spreadsheet comes out.

Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

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