Media Bytes: Tkachuk, Laf, Free Agents, New York's Unattractive Problem, Fox

Welcome back to Media Bytes, a weekly column from Blueshirt Banter. Every Sunday, we’ll help you start the week right with a quick catch-up on the latest stories and developments around the New York Rangers and the broader NHL media landscape.

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Tkachuk & Awe

1. The Rangers weren’t just among the teams reportedly interested in Brady Tkachuk before he landed in Florida—a familiar storyline after years of speculation and Larry Brooks’ “soft tampering” accusations. According to Nick Kypreos, New York may also be open to hearing offers on Alexis Lafrenière.

“Lafreniere's name as a trade candidate has popped up, but he makes a lot of money and has a lot of term left on his contract, so it's unclear if they could move him for the type of return they'd find acceptable,” Kypreos wrote in version 8.0 of his trade board published Monday.

Kypreos added that Lafrenière has one season left before his modified no-trade clause activates, creating what could be a narrowing window for the Rangers to capitalize on him should they opt to deal him as part of their retooling efforts.

“Give the Rangers your best offer they can't turn down and Lafreniere could be had,” Kypreos wrote. “But is that offer out there?”

2. Vince Mercogliano poured some cold water on that speculation during Wednesday’s episode of The Flying V, telling listeners the Rangers did gauge the market on Alexis Lafrenière but are not actively shopping him.

“I think the odds of him being traded are quite low,” Mercogliano said.

If that’s accurate, it sounds less like an active attempt to move Lafrenière and more like standard offseason due diligence.