Tarrytown, N.Y: The New York Ranger's 2020 1st overall, draft lottery pick was hailed as a phenom in his major junior days. From that point on, it was not the normal path for a selection of his status.
That has all changed this season. With new linemates and his third head coach in his fourth NHL season, Lafreniere is taking off.
He spoke about the team's early playoff exit last year, where he posted 0 points, a 0 +/-, and 0 PIM, "It was really tough last year. I learned a lot from it. Obviously, over the summer, you think about it just to have a little more motivation to come back."
His maturity is in the small adjustments he's made to his game, "Just always moving, making plays all over the ice not only in the offensive zone but everywhere. When there's nothing you got to learn to chip it in and go to work. Managing the game and limiting the turnovers as much as we can."
For confidence's sake, he knows when he's at his best. Identifying what translated to success on NHL ice exemplifies how he's a learned player, "When I'm moving my feet and skating that's when I'm making the most plays and I'm at my best."
He was demoted in the preseason but began the regular season on a line with Artemi Panarin. They immediately built chemistry with Vincent Trocheck as well who has centered the duo for 16 games in Filip Chytil's absence.
In the club's first 26 games, he has posted 8 goals and 8 assists, "Playing with two really good players they make it easy, they make so many plays. I just try to make plays for them too."
No. 13 stated that it didn't take much for him to adjust to playing with the Bread Man, "Not really he's playing a different way than most guys because he's so skilled. I'm just trying to play my game, forecheck hard, and get pucks for him. He likes to have the puck with time and space."
The Rangers may go as far as their second line can take them. If Alexis Lafreniere can continue his success, a championship run could be on the horizon.
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