The New York Rangers have officially signaled a “retool,” and whenever a star player hits the rumor mill, the noise is loudest in Montreal. This time, the chatter surrounds Alexis Lafreniere. Following GM Chris Drury’s announcement that the Rangers are shaking up their roster, reports have surfaced linking the former first-overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens.
On paper, the narrative writes itself: the local phenom returns home to lead the most storied franchise in hockey back to glory. Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports suggests that a change of scenery could be exactly what the doctor ordered for Lafreniere, noting his age aligns perfectly with Montreal’s young core. But before Habs fans order their custom jerseys, we need to look at the hard reality of the roster and the salary cap. Is this a match made in heaven, or a logistical nightmare?
The buzz started the moment Chris Drury used the word “retool.” In the NHL, that’s often code for “nobody is safe.” Lafreniere, signed through the 2031-32 season with a $7.45 million AAV, is a tantalizing asset. He has the pedigree, the skill, and the contract term that GMs usually covet. Lavoie’s assessment—that Lafreniere fits the timeline of Montreal’s rebuild—isn’t wrong. Adding a 24-year-old dynamic forward to a group that already features Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield sounds like a masterstroke for GM Kent Hughes.
Why the Canadiens Are Targeted as a Landing Spot
However, looking at this from an analyst perspective, the “fit” is more complicated than the narrative suggests. My take is that while Lafreniere is versatile, his game peaks when he plays his strong side: left wing. That is real estate that is currently heavily occupied in Montreal.
The Canadiens have their top-six left wing locked down. Cole Caufield is a fixture, and Juraj Slafkovsky, while capable of playing the right, has seen significant time on the left to balance the lines. If you bring in Lafreniere, someone is playing out of position, or someone is getting bumped down the lineup.
Furthermore, the forward pipeline makes this even murkier. Ivan Demidov is currently slotted for the second-line right wing but projects as a future top-line superstar within two years. Then you have promising right-winger Alexander Zharovsky, who is widely considered one of their best prospects. He is expected to make his NHL debut when his KHL contract expires in 2027. Where exactly does Lafreniere slide in without stunting the growth of the talent you’ve already cultivated?
The Salary Cap Obstacle and Roster Fit
Then there is the financial aspect. The Canadiens do not have the immediate cap space to absorb a $7.45 million hit mid-season without sending significant money back. A trade of this magnitude would require the Rangers to take on a bad contract—unlikely in a retool—or the Canadiens to part with a roster player who carries a similar cap hit. This wouldn’t be a simple “future assets for a player” swap; it would be a complex hockey trade that shakes up the chemistry of both locker rooms.
Ultimately, while the idea of Lafreniere in Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge is romantic, the logistics suggest it’s a long shot. Unless Montreal is willing to move a core piece to clear space and a roster spot, Lafreniere is likely staying on Broadway—at least for now.
Latest Montreal Canadiens News & Where to Watch
For all the breaking updates on this developing story and the latest Montreal Canadiens news, make sure to keep it locked here. Do you think you can manage a roster better than the GMs? Join our Fantasy Hockey Pool for cash prizes and test your skills against other passionate fans. Plus, find out how to watch the Habs game on TV today right here on our website. Don’t forget to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletter below to never miss a trade beat.
The post Is Alexis Lafreniere Coming Home? The Truth Behind the Rangers-Habs Rumors appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
