What Mike Sullivan’s first Rangers camp is revealing about Alexis Lafrenière

New York Rangers fans have to be intrigued heading into the 2025-26 season. Hey, anything to put the disaster that was last season behind them. The Rangers made a huge change at head coach by firing Peter Laviolette and hiring Mike Sullivan, who mutually parted ways with the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Rangers didn't make huge substantial additions this offseason, so it is basically the same roster as they had during the second half last year, minus Chris Kreider and K'Andre Miller. So, fans are going to be paying attention to how Sullivan uses the roster at his disposal. Fans already know Sullivan thinks highly of J.T. Miller, as he was named team captain. Sullivan also revealed that Mika Zibanejad will primarily be the Rangers' top winger alongside Miller.

But there are question marks surrounding 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafrenière.

Mike Sullivan's line shakeup hints at big things for Alexis Lafrenière

Lafrenière has been the subject of trade rumors in the past year, due in part to him not having a great 2024-25 season, which ironically happened after signing a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension. Lafrienere was floated as a potential part of trade pitches for the likes of Brady Tkachuk or Kirill Kaprizov. But those feel a bit unrealistic.

Lafrenière may not have lived up to the franchise superstar expectations that he had when entering the 2020 NHL Draft, but he's still incredibly young, so there is still time for him to really take that next step in the pros. There was promise in the 2023-24 season, as he 28 goals and 29 assists for a total of 57 points, all of which were career-highs.

During a press conference on the opening day of Rangers training camp, Sullivan was asked where he envisions Lafrenière playing this upcoming season. Sullivan said that he may very well play both left wing and right wing.

Lafrenière is a virtual lock to be a top six forward for the Rangers this season. He has a clearer path now with the likes of Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil gone. In fact, it appears Sullivan is trying out Lafrenière on the top line as a left winger alongside Miller and Zibanejad. That comes from The Athletic's Vince Mercogliano, who spotted the trio in the team's non-game group practice on Tuesday, hours before their preseason game against the Boston Bruins.

This doesn't necessarily mean that Lafrenière is a lock to be on the same line as Miller and Zibanejad. It's all about the production from the lines in game action. Line combinations always change. But based on early training camp buzz, the Sullivan is expecting big things from Lafrenière.