Mike Sullivan spoke with the media after the New York Rangers' most recent practice, and his plan for Alexis Lafrenière is music to the fans. During practice the Rangers worked on the power play, and Lafrenière was an active contributor on the team's top unit. This is something fans have been clamoring for, and their wish seems to be on the verge of being granted.
Sullivan wants to get the best version of Lafrenière
When asked if Lafreniere will get time on the top power play unit, here's what Sullivan had to say via Mollie Walker of the New York Post.
“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.“
The Rangers know Lafrenière is capable, this needs to be a "get right" season
Last season was a down year for Lafrenière in which he finished with 17 goals, 28 assists, and 45 points in 82 games while skating 17:00 per night. He tallied two goals and two assists on the power play, and the rest of his points came at 5v5. The 2024-25 season was expected to be a big one for the Rangers' first overall pick from the 2020 draft, and it seemed liked he'd figured things out.
This is because he entered the season fresh off a campaign in which he put up 28 goals, 29 assists, and 57 points in the regular season, and he followed that up with a line of 8-6-14 in 16 games averaging just 16:41 per night.
Lafrenière's even strength production is something fans should be happy with, because it suggests that with more room on the power play he will have a good chance of generating offense. There have been times where young players have been propped up by their special teams production, and struggled at 5v5. It's been the opposite in this case, and Lafrenière getting this opportunity can only help him build his confidence, which in turn should lead to him being a more impactful player for the Rangers.
Power play opportunity should help Lafrenière get back to shooting
One reason that I believe Lafrenière struggled last season was because he wasn't as assertive when it came to getting shots. During his rookie season he fired 110 shots on goal. He followed that up with 135 the following season, and during his breakout year in which he scored 28 goals he took 217 shots. Lafrenière only took 153 shots this past season. Last season the Rangers' top unit was essentially all right handed shots with Chris Kreider mainly operating from the front of the net.
Now the Rangers have J.T. Miller back, and with Lafrenière on the top unit the team will have multiple lefties. This means that as they cycle the puck around they can create opportunities to have cross ice one timers from both sides of the ice. The opportunities didn't exist last year because you'd always have spots where a player, even if they were cycling, would be on their backhand. Lafrenière has an underrated shot, and if he starts getting additional opportunities on the power play, the hope is that can carry over to even strength too.
Now is the time to capitalize
This is a big season for Lafrenière and the Rangers, and he will have to make the most of this opportunity. Lafrenière said back in February, "I started off well, and then lately, I haven't liked my game as much. I’m not making that many plays, but I feel like just the game in general, I'd like to be better and be more involved. {...} I can be a lot better, personally, Everywhere – defensively, offensively, all over the ice." He clearly knows what needs to happen, and he's had a long offseason to rest, reset, and reflect on what he wanted to improve upon for the upcoming season.
This is a big opportunity, and he has the tool to succeed. Lafrenière has the potential to be an impact player for the Rangers, and finally putting everything together helps raise the potential of the team, and their chances of snapping their ongoing Stanley Cup drought.