It’s incredibly exciting to witness a young player progressively fulfilling their potential season after season. Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers clearly has a bright future ahead, evident not just from his statistics but also in the noticeable enhancement of his passing, shooting accuracy, and playmaking skills. Last month, the 2020 first overall pick secured a seven-year contract worth $52.15 million, and his offensive output this season justifies that investment. As Lafreniere’s contract will conclude when he turns 30, it’s intriguing to consider how he will continue to develop as he approaches his prime. This season presents an excellent opportunity for him to showcase his offensive talent alongside other top picks and elite players like Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid.
Focusing on Lafreniere’s potential this season, the 23-year-old has shown steady improvement in his offensive statistics throughout his first four NHL seasons. Last year, he achieved a career high with 28 goals and 29 assists over 82 regular-season games. So far this season, he’s tallied six goals and six assists in just 14 games, projecting to about 70 points (35 goals and 35 assists) over an 82-game stretch, which would represent his most productive season yet. Maintaining his health and this pace is crucial for him.
In the previous regular season, the Rangers ranked sixth in the league for offense with 282 goals scored, and they currently sit fifth in goals-per-game at 3.71. Lafreniere’s growing offensive capabilities could contribute significantly to the team’s success, particularly alongside his linemate Artemi Panarin, who is currently performing exceptionally well with 22 points (10 goals and 12 assists) in 14 games.
Lafreniere’s impact is vital for the Rangers as they aim for strong offensive performances against teams featuring top-tier goaltending, such as the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and Florida Panthers.
In a recent matchup against the high-flying Winnipeg Jets, the Blueshirts saw several young players score, including Lafreniere, but ultimately lost 6-3, highlighting the Jets’ remarkable run as they set a record for the quickest team to reach 15 wins. Despite this setback, Lafreniere’s individual contributions should be spotlighted.
Analyzing one of his plays, Lafreniere was well-positioned in the offensive zone when Artemi Panarin received the puck. With Adam Fox available near the blue line and Lafreniere positioned just above the faceoff circle, this created a promising setup. Panarin passed to Fox, who was eyeing options; Lafreniere was now closer and became the preferred target for a cross-ice pass. Shortly after, Lafreniere scored a power-play goal amidst Jets defenders, showcasing his precise shooting skills. He boasted a shooting percentage of 12.9 last season, placing him in the league’s top percentile.
Overall, it’s remarkable that Lafreniere is only 23 years old and still has much growth ahead. Despite varying lineups, he consistently plays on the top forward line with stars Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. His latest goal came with assistance from Panarin, underlining the effective chemistry within the lineup, coupled with Lafreniere’s individual growth.
