Latest news with #AlexisLafreniere
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
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Red Wings' Lucas Raymond Surges To No. 2 in Under-23 Scoring
The Detroit Red Wings appropriately felt slighted by the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery when they somehow fell back multiple spots and ultimately landed the No. 4 pick despite having posted the worst record of any team since the expansion Atlanta Thrashers of 1999-2000. . The consensus No. 1 overall selection in that season's Draft was forward Alexis Lafreniere, a star with Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Advertisement The visions that danced in the heads of Red Wings fans everywhere of Lafreniere donning the Winged Wheel were dashed when Detroit not only didn't get the first overall pick, but had to watch the New York Rangers, a playoff team, select him. The Red Wings then turned to their Plan B and selected forward Lucas Raymond, who was playing in the Swedish Hockey League with Frölunda HC. And by all reasonable measurements, Detroit's rotten Draft Lottery Luck in 2020 turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. Raymond has become one of the best young players in the NHL after bursting onto the scene as a rookie, along with Moritz Seider, in the 2021-22 season. Advertisement He scored 23 goals with 34 assists in his rookie season, and while he experienced a dip in production known as the dreaded "sophomore slump" that multiple players endure, he roared back immediately. Raymond caught fire in the second half of the 2023-24 season, finishing with 31 goals and 41 assists for a then career-high 72 points. None were bigger than his pair of goals in Detroit's home finale against the Montreal Canadiens to tie the score late in regulation and then give the Red Wings the overtime victory, keeping their postseason hopes alive. His output in the recently-completed 2024-25 NHL season was even higher, scoring 27 goals with 53 assists to set a new career-high in points with 80. Advertisement He was the highest-scoring player in the NHL aged 23 or younger, and he also became the first Swedish-born player aged 23 or younger to reach 80 points since Nicklas Bäckström in 2009-10 with the Washington Capitals. Additionally, Raymond's 254 career points are 61 higher than the 193 career points for Lafreniere, and are the second-most by any active NHL player aged 23 or younger, behind only Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle. The Red Wings recognized the special talent that they had on their hands when Raymond was extended for eight years last offseason, and he's in Hockeytown for the long haul. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL Rumor Roundup: Trade Speculation Arises About Rangers' Youngsters And Devils
Alexis Lafreniere and K'Andre Miller (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) New York Rangers GM Chris Drury was among the busiest of his peers in the trade market this season. It's expected he'll continue his roster retooling efforts during the off-season. Veteran forwards Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad are frequently mentioned as trade candidates, partly because Drury could try to move their expensive contracts to free up cap space. However, he could consider moving a younger player like K'Andre Miller if contract talks stall with the pending RFA defenseman. Advertisement Mollie Walker of the New York Post was asked why Alexis Lafreniere hasn't come up much in the Rangers rumor mill. She believes the reason is that the 23-year-old left winger is still considered among their younger players. Walker pointed out the underperforming Lafreniere caught his share of criticism after signing his seven-year contract extension last October. She doesn't consider it out of the question for the Rangers to trade him, especially because he lacks no-trade protection until 2027-28. Kreider and perhaps Miller remain the most likely trade options for the Rangers. Drury could retain Lafreniere to see if new coach Mike Sullivan can bring out the best in the 2020 first-overall pick. What's Next For The New Jersey Devils After GM's Bold Comments About The Roster? What's Next For The New Jersey Devils After GM's Bold Comments About The Roster? Although the New Jersey Devils made the Stanley Cup playoffs despite injuries to Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, the meek way they lost the first round left a bad taste. Advertisement Across the Hudson River, New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald indicated changes will be coming for his roster during the off-season. During his end-of-season press conference, Fitzgerald said his club had 'a lot of decisions to make on certain players, whether we bring guys back, trade players.' He said they wouldn't return with the same group next season, 'because it wasn't good enough.' Fitzgerald was partly referring to his club's UFAs, which include Jake Allen, Tomas Tatar, Daniel Sprong, Curtis Lazar and Brian Dumoulin. His RFAs include Luke Hughes, Cody Glass and Nolan Foote. Of this group, Hughes is the only one certain to return. James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now pointed out that the Devils' offense declined this season. He believes they need a top-six winger and some bottom-six forwards with scoring ability. Advertisement Nichols mentioned Dawson Mercer among the players who underperformed this season. Expected to have a breakout year, the 23-year-old center finished with 19 goals. Mercer popped up in trade speculation earlier this season. His name could resurface in the rumor mill if Fitzgerald needs a bargaining chip to add that top-six winger. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
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Who Will Be The First Rangers Player To Be Traded?
It's Friday – that time again – and here we go with another chapter of ASK THE MAVEN. Today's question comes via Fred Pearl of Hunter, N.Y. (Take it away, Fred:) WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE FIRST RANGER TO BE TRADED? The Maven replies: My initial guess is Chris Kreider who has outlived his usefulness in every way as a Ranger. He's gotten slow, is erratic, and was – foolishly, I must say, – mentioned as trade bait last season by Chris Drury. But, dealing a player so obviously on the downside of his career is challenging to say the least. Most likely I expect Drury to peddle a younger player who another GM can see as a rehab prospect. Alexis Lafreniere is the first Ranger who'll go in what likely will be a mini-blockbuster deal. Targets figure to include San Jose, Vancouver and L.A. Give Drury a month to pull it off!
