As lineup decisions take center stage with the Rangers, the focus has been on Vitali Kravtsov, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere. These are three top-ten picks that will likely dictate any future success. Not lost in the shuffle is Julien Gauthier, who might see his future with the Rangers come to an end sooner rather than later.
This isn’t a slight against Gauthier, who has been better than most give him credit for lately. It’s just a numbers game. They aren’t getting rid of Kakko, and if Pavel Buchnevich gets extended then it’s between Kravtsov and Gauthier.