The confident Alexis Lafreniere has arrived.
Alexis Lafreniere has arrived. It didn't come easy.
Following the New York Rangers lottery luck in 2020, the team struggled. The juniors phenom couldn't quiet find his game as the club ascended to contention in 2022. A year later his 2023 post-season was ghostly.
Elliotte Friedman called his 2 x 2.3 million bridge deal a "one year contract", suggesting it would be easy to move if he struggled. Then, came his demotion in training camp to start this year. The forecast was gloomy.
Since exhibition play he's flipped the script, recording 7 goals (7th in the NHL) and 12 points in 14 games. He's also 3rd in the league in even strength goals.
Artemi Panarin commended the budding star, "[It's] nice to see. He deserves it, he worked so hard this year. He's playing like a great hockey player."
The Rangers 1st overall draft pick added to his impressive pace by scoring two goals and the shootout winner last night. The Garden shook as No. 13 rose to the occasion.
Lafreniere praised his counterparts following the game, "I'm playing with good linemates. Troch' has been really good for us and Bread has been unbelievable."
Head coach Peter Laviolette spoke about the second lines efforts, "I think anytime you can have an impact in a game you can gain confidence. Vinny in the middle has been unbelievable, Panarin is terrific in his game right now. When they are on the ice good things are happening all the time. You can gain confidence from that."
His contract is looking like a potential steal. His game paints shades of his previous QMJHL days. The 21-year old is playing with swag, driving the Rangers climb to an 11-2-1 record (3rd in the NHL). The confident Alexis Lafreniere has arrived.
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