Alexis Lafreniere turns 25 years old in 10 days, just began his seventh (!) season already with the New York Rangers, and theoretically is entering the prime of his career. However, even with a point-per-game finish over the final 28 games of the 2026-26 season, he’s still an enigma for the Rangers at the start of this season.
That’s largely due to the fact that the 2020 No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft never recorded more than 57 points in a season — tying his career-best a year ago after first reaching that total in 2023-24.
But that impressive stretch run last season, when he flourished on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault, has many believing Lafreniere finally is ready to break out as a top-line wing in this league.
“You’d like to capture that momentum. If he can build on the momentum he generated the second half of the year, I thought ‘Laf,’ his game grew to another level,” coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday.
What exactly clicked for Lafreniere?
“His ability to create offense different ways, it wasn’t just off the rush, he had a really good grind game,” Sullivan explained. “If I’m not mistaken, he led the League in deflection goals the second half of the year, he had six of them. Getting inside, playing down low. He’s strong, he’s hockey strong. He’s a lean guy, but he’s hockey strong on the puck. And he’s got great puck skills.”
Even with the addition of a legit finisher in Pavel Dorofeyev to the lineup, the Rangers need more production across the board this season. The Rangers traded top offensive producers Artemi Panarin in February and Vincent Trocheck in July, and finished 23rd in scoring last season.
So, it made sense that in a shorter training camp and preseason, Sullivan stuck with what worked late last season — keeping Lafreniere, Zibanejad, and Perreault as linemates. The results in the season opener Tuesday weren’t great — the Rangers were shut out 3-0 by the Boston Bruins, and the Zibanejad line had just a 39.99 percent expected goal share 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick.
Lafreniere didn’t manage a shot on goal over 22 shifts and 18:17 TOI. But it’s one game out of 84, so no rushing to judgement here.
“That line had pretty good chemistry [last season],” Sullivan said. “We’re trying to help them recapture some of that. I don’t think they’re there yet, but it’s a work in progress.”
Let’s see how it all looks Thursday, when the Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning and raise the curtain on the home portion of their schedule.
Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Safe to say that Sully wants no part of the narrative that the Rangers could struggle again this season at Madison Square Garden ahead of their home-opener against the Lightning.
Key Rangers prospect Liam Greentree is “living the dream” ahead of his professional hockey debut with Hartford of the AHL this weekend.
Another former top Rangers prospect, Brennan Othmann, earned his first NHL opening-night roster spot, thanks to his newfound confidence and “gritty rat style” play with the Calgary Flames.
If you’re interested in owning a piece of the Rangers — or Knicks for that matter — John Kreiser explains how you can make that happen soon, but you better have more than a few bucks lying around to do so.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Colorado Hockey Now: Nathan MacKinnon scoring two goals in the Avs’ season-opening 8-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings? Not unexpected. MacKinnon dropping the gloves to fight Brandt Clarke late in the third period? Yeah, that’s a shocker.
NATHAN MACKINNON JUST DROPPED THE GLOVES VS THE YOUNGSTER BRANDT CLARKE 🥊
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.HE WAS CHUCKING EM TOO 😳 pic.twitter.com/WsaTSAQIHA
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 1, 2026
NATHAN MACKINNON JUST DROPPED THE GLOVES VS THE YOUNGSTER BRANDT CLARKE 🥊
HE WAS CHUCKING EM TOO 😳 pic.twitter.com/WsaTSAQIHA
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 1, 2026
NY Post: Ethan Sears delved into the Islanders’ season-opening 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game that exposed a concerning flaw for the team from Long Island.
New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols and Daniel Amoia share six bold predictions for the Devils in 2026-27, and what would stop them.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski hands out some pretty good-looking reports cards for the Penguins after they opened the season with a 7-0 beatdown of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly Hockey Now: On the other side, William James breaks down a very uninspiring season debut for the Flyers.
The Athletic ($$): Jesse Granger breaks down William Karlsson‘s two-year contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Detroit Hockey Now: Kevin Allen reports that Simon Edvinsson returned to Sweden and is practicing with Frolunda of the SEL since he remains unsigned with the Red Wings. Edvinsson took part in training camp as a sign of good faith, but negotiations without a general manager in place went nowhere with Detroit.
Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche extended a key pending free agent Wednesday, when they signed coach Jared Bednar to a four-year contract. The 2023 Stanley Cup-winning coach is in the last season of his current deal, so the extension is one less distraction for the Avalanche this season.
Daily Faceoff: The Carolina Hurricanes placed third-string goalie Cayden Primeau on waivers and plan to assign him to the American Hockey League if he clears.
Sportsnet: Andre Burakovsky has an upper-body injury and won’t play in the Ottawa Senators season opener Saturday.
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