The New York Rangers have a pretty healthy list of position battles all over this roster. The defensive side of things paints newcomer Alberts Smits as trying to fit into the third pairing over Matthew Robertson. Matt Rempe is also trying to "force" his way onto the fourth line and not into the press box as a healthy scratch.
Another position battle, and seemingly the hottest topic there is right now, is that of the winger who will ultimately skate opposite Pavel Dorofeyev on the first line. The two candidates include Alexis Lafrenière and Gabe Perreault, and as training camp and the preseason have gotten underway, it looks like the veteran has the advantage over the kid.
While the Rangers have kept the line of Lafreniere, Zibanejad, and Perreault together early on in the preseason, there's a good chance one of the wingers will be eventually moved down to accommodate their offseason signing.
Let's talk about why that needs to happen when the regular season starts shortly.
Back's against the wall
At this point in Lafrenière's career, it has come down to the last chance for No. 13 to make any kind of superstar leap. Entering his seventh season in the NHL as a first-overall selection makes this a make-or-break year.
It has been posted all over social media that Lafrenière has been ramping it up a notch in training camp and the preseason. The Rangers are going to be trying a lot of different things, and something might stick with the former first-overall pick.
Time is running out, and everyone knows it. Lafrenière can feel the pressure, and it is up to him if he can rise to the occasion.
Lafrenière and Perreault will be battling all season
There is a chance that both Lafrenière and Perreault could ultimately remain linemates with Mika Zibanejad in the middle. That is certainly a possibility, with Dorofeyev sliding down to the second line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and J.T. Miller.
But there is also a greater possibility of giving Dorofeyev, the $11 million AAV winger, first-line minutes. That means that either Lafrenière or Perreault has to be moved down. Hence, the battle between the two.
Head coach Mike Sullivan is going to be paying very close attention to both players as the season goes along, and whoever plays better will get the bump in the next game. The Rangers are going to be a competitive bunch this season, no matter where they are in the standings. That means that every single player is fighting for playing time, and for most, their future with this organization is not guaranteed.
That goes in particular for Lafrenière, as he is on his last shot to make an everlasting impact and remain a Blueshirt for a little while longer.
Add us as a preferred source on Google