Alexis Lafrenière's Expanded Role Fuels Rangers' Strong Start

Alexis Lafrenière is experiencing the strongest start to his NHL career, a development directly linked to his expanded role with the New York Rangers.

For the first time since being drafted first overall in 2020, Lafrenière is consistently playing on the top line, skating on the first power-play unit, and averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game from the season's outset. While past seasons saw him navigate a crowded forward group and work through inconsistencies, he has embraced his increased responsibilities this campaign.

"I think he’s opened up — or developed — other aspects of his offensive game," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "In particular, his grind game down low in the offensive zone. He’s always been a guy that’s been dangerous off the rush. He’s a talent. He’s a talented player. Rush offense tends to be talent-driven. But one of the things that I try to challenge him with, when I first became the coach here, was the better teams in the league a lot of times they get numbers back, they take the rush away. So then what? How do you produce offense, right? I try to challenge him on his down-low game."

Sullivan highlighted Lafrenière's improved play below the goal line, his ability to control the puck, and his effectiveness around the net. "He’s a lean guy, but he’s hockey strong. He’s so capable of creating offense from below the goal line, hanging on to pucks, rolling off of checks, and making next plays, getting inside at the net and creating off of a loose puck at the net front. He’s got a great stick. He sees it extremely well and he’s strong. We’ve tried to challenge him as a coaching staff in developing that aspect of his game. I think when you look at the second half of the season last year and continuing through this year, that’s the biggest area of his game that I think we’ve seen the biggest growth."

Entering Thursday's game, the 25-year-old Lafrenière was tied for seventh in the NHL with seven goals and led the Rangers in both goals and points with 13. He had registered at least one point in seven of his previous eight games, including a six-game point streak that matched a career high. Lafrenière also leads the Rangers in multipoint games with four, a mark that ties for 11th in the league. This tally includes a hat trick against the Islanders earlier in October.

Sullivan believes Lafrenière has made a deliberate effort to enhance his low-zone game since the season began. The coach also noted the significance of Lafrenière's increased ice time. "I don’t think there’s any question, I think [his expanded role] helps," Sullivan said. "One of the things that I said to him when I became the coach was … we had a long conversation before we even stepped on the ice. We all wanted to try to help him build his game and get his game to another level, and he agreed. Part of my job, I think as the coach, is I got to provide a pathway for that player to do so. And so that’s what I’ve tried to do.

"He’s getting significant power play time, he’s playing in the top six. And to his credit, he’s taken advantage of it. He’s done a terrific job."