Canadian team reportedly ''extremely interested'' in former 1st overall pick

Enter the Vancouver Canucks. According to Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks are extremely interested in the 21-year-old forward and the New York Rangers are completely aware of the apparent interest. Both sides understand that a trade won't come cheap and easy, but the ace in the hole in a Lafreniere deal could be Bo Horvat.

The win-now-mode Rangers would absolutely welcome Horvat into the lineup as they've been perusing the market for a top-6 forward for well over 2 seasons. They've been constantly linked to Patrick Kane but with the younger, more productive Horvat in their sights, it could be a deal that makes sense for both sides.

Contract negotiations have stalled to the point where the Canucks believe Horvat could walk at the end of the season. Their salary cap situation is tough as they have several overpaid players that are getting in their way of signing the captain. Unloading Horvat's contract and bringing in Lafreniere on his ELC could help alleviate some of that cap stress and also provide another young building block for the Canucks.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is under contract for another 4 years. J.T. Miller's extension kicks in next year, Conor Garland has 3 more years, Tyler Myers still has another year left, and the list goes on and on. Brock Boeser has reached the trading block yet again as losing out on Horvat would be detrimental for the Canucks. Adding someone of Lafreniere's talent and potential could help soften the blow.

Lafreniere is set to his restricted free agency at the end of the season but shouldn't break the bank with his 69 points through 172 games in parts of 3 seasons. The Canucks could speed up their rebuilding process, save some green as they need to focus on signing players like Andrei Kuzmenko and Nils Hoglander.