Part if it is Bergevin’s big weakness, perceived discount. He has value as a former 1OA, but you can get him at a discount becsuse he’s not producing.My only question is why, with hundreds of other potential players that could be acquired, so many remain fixated on securing home town heroes. Now its Lafreniere, before it was Dublois. That’s what the Rangers, and all other teams ‘know’ : that in response to this predictable pressure from fans and the media, the team may be willing to overpay. Put simply, we are in an uneven bargaining position.
The problem is that if the whole league sees the potential bargain it’s stops being a bargain because some team will make a sucker bid, though without MB as a GM that offer will be lower.
I would think it would be tempting for a team with a really late first to trade for him and see, but who knows?
I’m happy to see local players but I don’t know if the pressure would help or hurt. There must be pressure in NY.