See more of our coverage in your search results.
TORONTO — The correlation between Alexis Lafrenière’s expanded role and the strongest start of his NHL career is evident.
It wasn’t until his seventh season that the 2020 No. 1 overall pick was deployed on the top line, skated on the first power play unit and logged nearly 20 minutes of ice time a night, almost every night, from Day 1 of a new campaign.
There’s no use in rehashing all the reasons why it unfolded this way. The logjam of top-six forwards ahead of him when he was drafted is well documented and the inconsistencies in his game that made it difficult to entrust him with such assignments are known.
Through his first three and a half weeks with such responsibilities, however, Lafrenière has thrived.
“I think he’s opened up — or developed — other aspects of his offensive game,” head coach Mike Sullivan said Thursday before the Rangers took on the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. “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.
“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.”
Not only was Lafrenière tied for seventh in the NHL with seven goals entering Thursday’s game, but the 25-year-old led the Rangers in goals and points (13). He had posted at least one point in seven of his prior eight games, including a six-game point streak that tied the longest of his career.
His four multipoint games this season — including an empty-net abetted hat trick against the Islanders earlier this month — were the most of the Blueshirts and tied for the 11th most in the league.
Sullivan said he thinks Lafrenière has “made a concerted effort” in the game down low since the start of the season.
Now, Lafrenière is averaging just under a minute and a half more ice time than last season. His increased involvement in the Rangers’ game has led to an increased output of production and on-ice impact.
“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.”