All Signs Point to the Canucks Making a Move For Former Rangers 1st-Overall Pick as Trade Talks Intensify
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The Vancouver Canucks, among several other teams around the NHL, could enter the mix to land a former first-overall pick, if he becomes available this summer.
As the Vancouver Canucks continue to ponder their options this summer, with the team hoping to be aggressive, Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford have some big decisions to make.
The team's first priority has to be a second line centerman, there's no doubt about that, but beyond finding a solution to that hole, Vancouver also might need a top-six winger if Brock Boeser hits the open market on July 1st, which many expect will happen.
Former first-overall pick could be potential replacement for Brock Boeser
After firing Head Coach Peter Laviolette in mid-April due to a disappointing 2024-25 season, which saw them miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Rangers are looking to shake things up this summer.
The Rangers will likely have some pieces in their organization that they deem untouchable this summer, including star netminder Igor Shesterkin, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman believes that there aren't many things that General Manager Chris Drury won't consider at this time.
"The Rangers are considering an awful lot of things. Like after the season they had last year, there are very few things that are off the table.
Chris Drury has got a lot out there and he basically wants to know if you want to talk to them about something, just reach out because he's gotta know everything that's on the table for him." Friedman said recently.
Chris Drury has got a lot out there and he basically wants to know if you want to talk to them about something, just reach out because he's gotta know everything that's on the table for him." Friedman said recently.
If the Rangers are going to shake up their roster in the weeks to come, one name to potentially keep an eye on is former first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, who the Vancouver Canucks have been linked to on several occasions since early 2023.
In a recent article on The Athletic, Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance believe that Alexis Lafreniere would not only be a good fit for the Vancouver Canucks in a top-six role, but if he's able to get back to the top of his game, he could easily become the team's best winger.
"Lafreniere would instantly become the Canucks' best winger if he can return to the form he showed in 2023-24, and could shatter his previous 57-point career high if he's given the first unit power-play opportunity he hasn't received in New York." Dayal and Drance said.
If the Rangers are willing to move on from the 23-year-old, Patrik Allvin and the Canucks should be right in there trying to acquire him, even though the asking price, understandably, will be quite high.
Source: Harman Dayal & Thomas Drance/The Athletic
Canucks trade targets: 14 top-six forwards who could boost Vancouver's attack
Canucks trade targets: 14 top-six forwards who could boost Vancouver's attack
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
JUIN 8 | 1956 ANSWERS All Signs Point to the Canucks Making a Move For Former Rangers 1st-Overall Pick as Trade Talks Intensify Should the Vancouver Canucks pursue a trade for Alexis Lafreniere this summer? | ||
| Yes | 1309 | 66.9 % |
| No | 647 | 33.1 % |
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