Former first overall about to hit the block: Golden opportunity for Patrik Allvin and the Canucks
It's been an actual roller coaster for the 2020 first-overall Alexis Lafreniere. The highly touted prospect landed in one of the league's hottest markets, and nothing has panned out so far. With a new coaching staff in place and this team's clock running, the end seems to be coming.
ABOUT TO LAND ON THE TRADE MARKET?
The NHL reporter covering the Rangers recently noted that Lafreniere had not been performing as well as hoped in this year's training camp, and things may be turning a tide. Are both parties looking for a change? It surely looks like both parties could use a change:
I don't love where this is heading for him - I don't think he's a bad player, but disappointing relative to draft position - do you deal him?''
CANUCKS NEED TO GET IN ON IT
Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford noted that amid their retooling, they'd be looking to add players with elevated ceilings, in their early 20s, who had yet to reach their full potential. The Canucks could land a top-end talent who just needs a change of scenery. The team's current assistant General Manager, Emilie Castonguay, was Lafreniere's agent when he was drafted in New York, and she could be the answer to unlocking his full potential.
The Rangers could be looking for a prospect swap, and a winger like Vasily Podkolzin or Nils Hoglander could be a fit there.
A FIT FOR THE CANUCKS' NEEDS?
A 6'01 and 195 pounds winger, he was viewed as a player who could have a similar impact to Matthew Tkachuk. A feisty winger with elevated IQ, he's shown in his World Junior Championships that he's a gamer, and that's precisely the type of plater the Canucks could use on their top 6.
| POLL | ||
Should the Canucks try their best to bring Lafreniere to Vancouver? | ||
| Yes | 1110 | 53 % |
| No | 391 | 18.7 % |
| Depends on the cost | 594 | 28.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
