Alexis Lafreniere is heating up at just the right time. Entering Saturday’s matchup against Minnesota, he was riding a wave with goals in three consecutive games, including a dazzling hat trick against Calgary. Over the last eight games since the Olympic break, Lafreniere has tallied seven goals and five assists, showcasing the kind of form Rangers fans have been hoping for.
With those numbers, Lafreniere's season stats stood at 19 goals and 25 assists in 65 games, projecting to 24 goals and 32 assists over a full 82-game season. This would mark a new career high and echo his standout performance two seasons ago.
The big question for the Rangers is whether this is the true Alexis Lafreniere they've been waiting on since he was drafted first overall in 2020. While he might not be the generational talent once anticipated, at 24, Lafreniere still has the potential to be a crucial top-six winger. If he can consistently deliver 20-30 goals and 50-60 points each season, the Rangers can confidently build their future around him.
Consistency is the next hurdle for Lafreniere. We've seen flashes of brilliance before, like during the 2023-24 season when he hit career highs in goals, assists, and points. But after signing a seven-year, $52.15 million extension following a fast start last season, his production dipped to 17 goals and 45 points.
A few key changes have opened up opportunities for Lafreniere. The trade of Artemi Panarin to the L.A.
Kings and an injury to J.T. Miller allowed Lafreniere to step up to the first power-play unit and join a scorching first line with Mika Zibanejad and rookie sensation Gabe Perreault.
Credit is due to Coach Mike Sullivan, who has emphasized the importance of Lafreniere getting to the net. This season, Lafreniere has embraced the net-front role on the power play, using his 6-2, 191-pound frame effectively. His recent goals, including a slick tip against Winnipeg and a power-play tip from a Zibanejad shot, highlight his growing comfort in this role.
Lafreniere himself acknowledges the improvement: “I feel like the more reps you get, the more comfortable you become,” he said. “I'm still trying to work on it and get better every game.”
Coach Sullivan has encouraged Lafreniere to diversify his offensive game. “He's a dangerous player off the rush,” Sullivan noted, “but adding that ‘grind’ game-creating offense under the hash marks and net-front tips-gives him another dimension.”
The Rangers, on a 5-1-2 run post-Olympics, might not be playoff-bound, but they’re showing promise. With stellar goaltending from Igor Shesterkin, Perreault emerging as a star, and Zibanejad rediscovering his form, there’s optimism in the air.
If J.T. Miller can rebound from his injuries and GM Chris Drury can keep Adam Fox happy and on board, the Rangers might not be as far from contention as some think. A few strategic roster moves and a healthy lineup could see the Rangers bounce back sooner than expected.
There are plenty of variables, but if Lafreniere can maintain his current form, the Rangers might just surprise everyone.