The Trade Offer: Alexis Lafreniere, a first-round pick and various lower-round picks

Reasoning Why: No, before you throw a fit, this would not be a one-player-for-one-player deal. But forward Alexis Lafreniere would be the centerpiece, with a 2026 first-rounder likely thrown in, because they technically have two—their own and a conditional one from the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the K’Andre Miller trade. 

It’s a new regime in New York this season, with Mike Sullivan arriving from Pittsburgh to be the head coach and J.T. Miller being named captain — both strong signals of where the team is likely headed. The Rangers like marquee names and flash, and I’ve wondered for a while if Lafreniere might want or need a fresh start somewhere. Being part of a Kaprizov trade just might do the trick. Sure, you’re not getting back the exact same scoring value, but let’s be real. This is Kaprizov. You were never going to. But Lafreniere has become quite useful in recent years, and a new environment could be the jolt he needs. He’s only 23 years old, after all. 

This trade would definitely require a few lower picks as well as some money moved around, since the Rangers don’t quite have the cap space to take on Kaprizov’s current contract, but if they want it badly enough, they’ll make it happen.

Another option, rather than Lafreniere, could be Mika Zibanejad—he would also take more money off the Rangers’ books than Lafreniere—but I imagine Guerin would want to go younger where he can.