Alexis Lafreniere's Latest Performance Signals Major Changes For The New York Rangers
Photo credit: James Guillory-imagn images
General Manager Chris Drury of the New York Rangers could find himself shifting his opinion on former 1st overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere, this season. Once known as a trade-chip last season, his performance in a short sample size of preseason play has shown promising results.
While Alexis Lafreniere may have seen his production decline in 2024-25, scoring only 45 points (17-28), after a career-high 57-point season during the Presidents' Trophy run.
Lafreniere has been one Rangers' forwards who has been the subject of animosity from fans the last few seasons, considered a bust after a disappointing beginning to his career.
He was even considered a trade chip near the end of last season, but the Rangers stuck with the forward despite his troubles.
What we've seen during preseason play has been promising, and could signal a change of fortunes for the forward in 2025-26.
Alexis Lafreniere: 2025-26 a Season of Promises Renewed?
Once thought to be an elite two-way forward drafted from the QMJHL in 2020, Lafreniere was supposed to hit the ground running once he arrived in the NHL.
However, in his first two seasons in the league, we've seen him struggle, scoring 21 points and 31 points in his first two years in the league.
Fast forward to Peter Laviolette's leadership, and we saw him put forth an effort to remove the "bust" label with a 57-point year.
This season, if he plays on the first line, we could see him develop more of a well-rounded, dimensional game playing on the same line as Mika Zibanejad and JT Miller, putting his defensive skills to use.
Taking advantage of Miller's hard-nosed play and Zibanejad's elite sniping skills, he could be the anchor of the line:
That leaves Lafrenière, who is probably the most crafty and creative playmaker on this team. If he can try to keep control of the puck more, aid in the back-check, and help out both of the defenders, who are likely going to be Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, he can help this team immensely.
This year could be it, as he develops a full two-hundred-foot game under Mike Sullivan, removing the bust label once and for all.
The Quebec-born forward has played 380 games in the NHL, scoring 193 points (92-101), and could still develop into the 60-point forward we want him to be.
Sullivan will need to drill into Lafreniere that they can't afford inconsistencies on the ice, and will need him to play a two-hundred-foot game, and rely on his playmaking abilities to be a regular contributor in the lineup.
Lafrenier signed a newcontract with the team in 2024, paying him $52.15 million over the next seven years.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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