NHL Trade Rumors: Rangers Open to Trading Alexis Lafreniere

The New York Rangers could be in store for a draft-day blockbuster trade.

According to multiple reports, the Rangers are looking to move up at next month's draft in Buffalo, and want to find a way to get into the top three, from their current fifth position. The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't looking to move off the number one pick, and are likely leaning to Gavin McKenna at the moment. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks hold the #2 and #3 positions, and have been in contract with Rangers' GM Chris Drury.

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In order to move up the Rangers are going to have to give up something, and one player on many team's radars is former first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere. The 24-year-old winger is signed for $7.4 million AAV through the 2032 season, and doesn't have any trade protection until the 2027 season. Lafreniere appeared in 82 games last season, scoring 24 goals and 57 points.

Both the Sharks and Canucks are open to trading down and if they can land a talent like Lafreniere to add to their mix, there could be some potential here. The Rangers have a lot going on at the moment, as Vincent Trocheck is also in play, and could be dealt at next month's draft.

The Sharks are in the mix for some proven NHL talent to add to their top three lines, and they also need defencemen, as they only have two under NHL contracts for next season. Someone like Adam Fox could also be involved, if the Rangers decide they are going into a full rebuild, which is quite likely.

The Canucks on the other hand love Caleb Malhotra and since he could be available at #5, it makes sense for them to move down and secure some serious assets in the meantime.

Keep an eye on the Rangers, they are up to something big and they won't be the only team making draft-day trades in the first round.