Alexis Lafreniere is Set Up to Have Monster 2024-25 Season for the New York Rangers
By Joe Nuzzi
After a slow start to Alexis Lafreniere’s career in his first four years, he finally took a major step in his development during the 2023-24 season. Lafreniere, selected 1st overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, faced high expectations from the start. However, in his early years, he was not given many top-six minutes under coaches David Quinn and Gerard Gallant.
From 2020-2023, Lafreniere averaged just over 14:30 minutes of ice time per game, with virtually no power play time. Due to the lack of substantial playing time and the quality of his linemates, Lafreniere struggled to produce typical 1st overall pick numbers, tallying only 47 goals and 44 assists through his first three seasons in the NHL. As a result, bust allegations seemed to be piling up for him.
Lafreniere’s status was uncertain heading into his fourth season with the Rangers, but new coach Peter Laviolette was determined to give him the minutes he needed to blossom. Playing alongside star winger Artemi Panarin and all-star centerman Vincent Trocheck throughout the entire season, Lafreniere finally showed why he was drafted 1st overall.
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He achieved career highs in goals (28), assists (29), and points (57). Lafreniere was given more playing time this year, totaling over 17:16 minutes per game, received more power play time, and was the Rangers' extra attacker with the goalie pulled. With his confidence up, his game took off, helping the Rangers finish first in the NHL during the regular season.
Another question mark regarding Lafreniere’s abilities was his playoff performance. After being completely blanked from the scoresheet in the 2023 playoffs against the Devils, Lafreniere faced a lot of pressure to come through for the Rangers in the 2024 playoffs. "Coming through" was an understatement. Although the Rangers did not win the Stanley Cup, Lafreniere was arguably their best player in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In 16 games, he recorded 8 goals and 6 assists, totaling 14 points—a very impressive feat given his limited power play time. Lafreniere scored some highlight-reel goals against the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals along with big time goals in the previous vs the Hurricanes. Lafreniere was able to consistently generate offense at even strength in the playoffs which is the most important thing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he was a to show that his game translated to the playoffs.
After a very successful 2023-24 regular season and playoffs, Lafreniere’s stock and confidence are at an all-time high. He has solidified himself as one of the best players on the Rangers, and at the age of 22, his best hockey is yet to come. I believe he will be added to the Rangers' first power play unit, which will potentially add 20-30 points to his totals.
With another year of firstline minutes alongside Panarin and Trocheck, along with first-unit power play time, I am expecting a massive season from Alexis Lafreniere. I can see him scoring 40+ goals and being over a point-per-game player, living up to his draft status as the 1st overall pick in 2020. Lafreniere and the Rangers begin their 2024-25 campaign on October 9th in Pittsburgh.