NHL Trade Idea Swaps Recent Rangers and Canadiens No. 1 Picks
Following the early ends to their respective seasons, the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers could both benefit from an offseason shake-up.
TVA Sports insider Jean-Charles Lajoie proposed a bold idea that could address key needs on both sides.
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'Should the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers trade two former first-overall picks, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alexis Lafreniere, to give them the best chance at success?' Lajoie wondered.
The suggestion would see Lafreniere, a Quebec native and 2020 first-overall pick, return home in a one-for-one deal for Slovak forward Slafkovsky.
Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) and left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) wait for a face-off at Bell Centre.David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Lajoie's TVA colleague Philippe Boucher liked his co-host idea, believing the move could suit both teams, especially the up-and-coming Canadiens.
'The Montreal market could be good for him,' Boucher said. 'He was good when he was under a lot of pressure in Rimouski. All eyes were on him.
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"You just have to be careful about the price you pay. Slafkovsky... give me another day, because I'm not sure I'll do it, honestly."
The Canadiens drafted Slafkovsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft, and he is set to begin an eight-year, $60.8 million deal next season.
Lafreniere, meanwhile, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft and is entering a seven-year, $52.15 million contract.
Both players had rather similar numbers this season, with Slafkovsky tallying 51 points (18 goals and 33 assists) and Lafreniere 45 (17 goals and 28 assists).
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) celebrates with left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13).Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
According to New York Post's Mollie Walker, appearing on Forever Blueshirts' "RINK RAP" podcast, the Rangers may entertain trade scenarios involving Lafreniere.
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'It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for (Rangers GM) Chris Drury to admit he committed too soon to his first overall pick and maybe see what you could get for him,' Walker said.
The Canadiens, who reached the playoffs with the youngest roster in the league, remain committed to improving after getting back to the postseason for the first time since 2021 when they reached the Stanley Cup Final.
'There's no doubt we want to add more talent,' Canadiens GM Kent Hughes said during the end-of-season media availability. 'We need to determine to what extent we want to add experience versus gain experience.'
The Canadiens put together a 40-31-11 record, good for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers, on the other hand, fell six points short of the postseason with a 39-36-7 record.
Related: Rangers Signed Mike Sullivan to Record-Breaking Contract, Insider Confirms
Related: What New Rangers Coach Mike Sullivan Did First After Being Hired
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