Rangers Need More From Alexis Lafreniere Moving Forward

This season Lafreniere got off to another strong start playing on the same line with Trocheck and Panarin. He had nine goals and 11 assists in his first 26 games despite once again rarely getting ice time on power plays. He also signed a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension on Oct. 25.

After his strong start, Lafreniere went through an extended slump, and he rarely generated scoring chances. He had no goals and one assist in his next 12 games. The offensive woes were frustrating as he struggled defensively too, getting caught in the offensive zone, turning the puck over, and taking the wrong man in the defensive zone. The Rangers won just three of those 12 games.

Last season, Lafreniere did an excellent job carrying the puck into the offensive zone, but this season, he looked to defer to his linemates more often, and he had a lot of quiet games. Additionally, with the Rangers’ power play struggling, he got an opportunity to play on the first unit but fanned on shots and passes and was moved back down to the second unit. His struggles began in December, and he has never fully broken out of this slump. He has just seven goals and 16 assists in his last 51 games, despite spending most of that time on a line with Panarin.

The Rangers Are Relying on Lafreniere

In addition to Lafreniere’s struggles, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Vincent Trocheck are all having down seasons, which is why the Rangers are not in a playoff spot right now. While the Rangers need all of them to play better, Lafreniere is especially important as their other top-six forwards are all veterans.

J.T. Miller is 32, Panarin and Kreider are 33, and Zibanejad and Trocheck are 31, while Lafreniere is 23 and should be entering his prime. While the hope is that some of their veterans can bounce back, it is not surprising for players in their 30s to have a decrease in production, and that means the Rangers need their young players to contribute.

Former head coach Gerard Gallant and current head coach Peter Laviolette have both relied heavily on the Rangers’ veteran forwards, but that has not worked this season. Will Cuylle is 23 and in the midst of a strong season and prospects Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, and Gabriel Perreault have all spent some time with the Blueshirts and have the potential to develop into good players. The team needs their young forwards to contribute, and Lafreniere needs to play better.

For Lafreniere and the Rangers Moving Forward

Though many of the Rangers’ forwards have struggled, Lafreniere will be key as he is one of the youngest and most skilled forwards on a team filled with veterans. Regardless of what happens down the stretch this season, they need him to be much better next season for the team to reach its full potential.