The New York Rangers haven't got off to the start that fans would have liked under Mike Sullivan, and there are many reasons why the team has struggled to open the 2025-26 NHL season. Key players haven't played up to their potential, others haven't taken the leap, and the team hasn't had a cohesive identity. In terms of players not taking the leap, the Blueshirts' bench boss spoke to the media on Wednesday, and his assessment of one of the team's most promising players feels noteworthy.
Sullivan's comments about Alexis Lafrenière are interesting
When asked about Lafrenière and the expectations of a No. 1 overall pick, Sullivan said, "I think sometimes there's an assumption that just because somebody's the first overall pick, they're a generational talent. And when they're not, then that's (disappointing)... And I don't think that's fair"
This quote is interesting for two reasons. The first is that it could be Sullivan trying to politely light a fire under someone he believes could be a difference maker for the Rangers, and it does so in a way that gives Lafrenière some breathing room. The second reason is that it is quite possible that the expectations for Lafrenière as a player have changed, and that would be quite an interesting revelation in the first year of his seven-year extension.
To focus on the positive, Lafrenière is seventh on the team with a 57.99 xGF%, seventh with a 53.58 CF%, and 19th with just a 30.43 GF% per Evolving-Hockey. This would suggest that the Rangers' young winger is very unlucky right now, and his overall process remains sound. His 27 shots on goal are third-most among Rangers skaters, and his 2.45 shots per game are up from the 1.86 he averaged last season. He's unlikely to shoot 3.7 percent for the rest of the season, and it's just a matter of time before the goals come his way. MoneyPuck has Lafrenière with an expected goal total of 3 through 11 games, and he has just one actual goal to his name.
Sullivan already tempering expectations is suprising
The negative side of this quote is that it feels very different than how Sullivan was talking about the Rangers' 2020 No. 1 pick. Before the season Sullivan said, "If we’re going to get the best version of Laf, I think we got to provide a pathway to try to give him an opportunity to capture his very best game. I think some power play time on that top unit is an essential part of it, and so our intention is to try to provide a pathway for Laf to allow him an opportunity to get his game to another level."
It feels kind of early for Sullivan to changing the perception of Lafrenière, suggesting he's not a generational talent, even though there's a good chance it is true. It also feels like it's a bit of a deviation from the plan of doing everything possible to get him to his best version as a player. It also feels a bit early to go down this road, even if it is how the organization feels.
The fact of the matter is that there was a lot of expectations when Lafrenière was drafted, and he was a big name prospect. He ended his last CHL season by winning the Dave Branch Player of the Year award for the second season in a row, something that had only been previously accomplished by Sidney Crosby. Right now Lafrenière doesn't look that player, and it would be a bummer if the plan now is for him just to be a serviceable top six forward as opposed to a top end offensive contributor you make a key building block for your organization.
There's still some time for Lafrenière to get on track
As bad as last season was, he finished with just11 fewer goals, and 12 fewer points than the year prior. Other players on the roster regressed more, and it's encouraging he mostly maintained his level of production. That needs to change the rest of the season, and it is good that he isn't far removed from productive play. The 2023-24 season saw Lafrenière score 28 goals and add 29 assists for 57 points in 82 regular season games, and post a line of 8-6-14 in 16 playoff games. This was done with minimal power play time, and that could be the thing that helps him finally put it all together. That said, it is getting to a point where Lafrenière just needs to do it. He's shown glimpses before, but he needs to be more consistent, and capitalize on the chances he's generating.