THE New York Rangers and forward Alexis Lafrenière are working to finalize a seven-year extension worth $52.15 million, reports TSN Hockey insider Pierre LeBrun.

The deal would carry a cap hit of $7.45 million if completed.

According to LeBrun, Lafrenière and the Rangers began discussions before the season, but were initially unable to come to an agreement. LeBrun added that the Rangers viewed Lafreniere as a key piece and wanted to continue trying to get a deal done.

Selected first overall in the 2019 draft, Lafrenière had a bit of a slow start to his NHL career, but has produced at a high level over the past few seasons. After recording 91 points in 216 regular season games during his first three years in the league, Lafrenière had 28 goals and 29 assists in 82 games last season and has four goals and three assists in seven games so far. now in 2024-25.

He also had eight goals and six assists in 16 playoff games last spring during the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference final.

The 23-year-old is currently on a two-year, $4.65 million bridge contract that he signed in August of last year that pays him $2.33 million per year. He should be free to act with restriction next summer.

If Lafrenière deal becomes official, Rangers will focus on their star goaltender Igor Shesterkin and his pending unrestricted free agent status. It is widely believed that he is seeking the largest contract for a goaltender in NHL history.