Exploring Alexis Lafreni�re�s Options After the NHL Draft
After the NHL draft lottery a few days ago, fans know about as much as they did before the lottery. The Detroit Red Wings were projected to take home the No. 1 overall pick, but it ended up going to TBD.
That�s right, to be determined.
This means that 1 of the 8 teams that lose in the qualifying rounds will land the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
Lafreni�re�s Unlimited Possibilities
With it currently being uncertain who is going to snag the first overall pick, Alexis Lafreni�re could end up anywhere.
There are currently 16 teams that could end up with the first overall pick: Pittsburgh, Carolina, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Toronto, Columbus, Florida, Montreal, Edmonton, Nashville, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Minnesota, Arizona, and Chicago.
Toronto, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, or Chicago?
Out of the sixteen teams that are currently eligible to land the No. 1 pick, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, and Chicago are teams that stand out.
All four teams already have good rosters and adding Lafreni�re would turn them into a powerhouse.
Adding Alexis Lafreni�re to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster would be absolutely insane.
You�re adding the reigning CHL Player of the Year and someone who is likely capable of scoring 40 goals in the NHL one day, to a roster that already has Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, along with a whack of other young and explosive players.
Now imagine Edmonton.
Alexis Lafreni�re on the Oilers would immediately turn them into cup favorites. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Lafreni�re would be unstoppable on the same team.
Now Chicago.
Patrick Kane and Alexis Lafreni�re could potentially be the best 1-2 punch in the NHL. Chicago also has young studs in Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik. A roster that consists of Lafreni�re, Kane, Dach, Kubalik, and Jonathan Toews would be an instant contender to win the Stanley Cup.
Lastly, Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh seems to be the team that would become the scariest with the addition of Lafreni�re. Imagine a line of Lafreni�re, Crosby, and Malkin. That could potentially be the best line in the history of the National Hockey League.�Lafreni�re’s new team would deal serious damage.
Hometown Team
With the Montreal Canadiens first-round matchup against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, Montreal is going to have a tough time advancing to the next round.
There�s a silver lining though.
If Pittsburgh does defeat Montreal, as expected by most, the Canadiens would have a shot at landing the first overall pick.
Lafreni�re, born and raised in Quebec, would surely be thrilled to get a chance to suit up for his hometown team.
