Nobody really warned Alexis Lafreniere about how the bright lights of New York City and Madison Square Garden would amplify the microscope he already would be under as the NHL’s first-overall pick in 2020.
And yet, season after season, Lafreniere has appeared to maintain a level head despite the magnitude of scrutiny and criticism that has been levied upon him.
That includes having the dreaded label of “bust” stuck to his forehead by those around the NHL, media and fans alike the past three seasons.
The smile he wears onto the ice every day has seemingly never faded.
His status as one of the most well-liked guys in the Rangers locker room has seemingly never wavered.
Even now, while looking rejuvenated and revived in his first real impactful stretch of his NHL career, Lafreniere is remaining even-keeled and continuing to tune out the outside noise.
“For me, I don’t really put too much pressure on myself,” Lafreniere told The Post earlier this week. “Just trying to play hockey and have fun. That’s what I want to do. Just trying to stay consistent with my game and have fun out there.”
Lafreniere won’t take the bait when fielding questions about his strong start to the season.
Instead, he’s repeatedly pointed to his linemates, particularly Artemi Panarin, for his influx in point production.
It’s true, Panarin can make anybody he plays with better and there’s no question that the star Russian wing has had an impact on Lafreniere’s numbers.
Though anybody who has watched Lafreniere closely this season can see that he’s upped his game to make the new partnership as successful as it’s been.
Though he hasn’t scored a goal in seven games, Lafreniere is more noticeable shift after shift than he ever has been.
He said he feels like he’s playing with more poise and confidence this season, which has prompted him to hold onto the puck for longer than he used to.
With or without the puck, Lafreniere is making things happen — all while skating on his off-side on the right wing of the second line, which was initially thought to be an obstacle for him.
He enjoyed a four-game point streak earlier this season, over which he collected three goals and four assists, en route to the 16 points he will carry into Game No. 25 on Saturday in Washington.
“I’d like to think he shut a couple of people up this year,” K’Andre Miller quipped.
Lafreniere, who looked lethargic during training camp, was scratched in the Rangers’ second-to-last exhibition game against the Devils.
Since then, head coach Peter Laviolette said he’s seen a hard-working player who is playing the game fast right now.
For his Rangers teammates who have watched Lafreniere come to the rink day after day amid tremendous pressure, however, these past couple months have been particularly fun to watch unfold.
“He’s very composed,” Chris Kreider said. “For a kid that age, you know, ups and downs of the season impact him. He doesn’t really let it show. It doesn’t really creep into the way he shows up every day to work. I think that’s something that’s really hard to find. He’s just very consistent with how he comes to the rink.
“He’s happy to be there every single day and to do whatever it takes to help the team win and to try to get better and try to improve. It’s been very impressive, whether it’s a good stretch or facing adversity, he’s very even keeled.”
Miller and Lafreniere lived together for about five months during the long COVID-19 summer before they joined the Rangers in 2020-21.
The 23-year-old defenseman said he considers himself lucky to have gotten to know Lafreniere as a person before he stepped onto the ice at the NHL’s No. 1 pick.
When the two played shinny, or street hockey, outside with other kids, Miller said he could see right away how good of a player he was.
Now, everyone else is starting to see it, too.
Miller noted that he doesn’t think Lafreniere has reached his peak yet.
And Lafreniere doesn’t think so, either.
“I still think I can play better, too,” Lafreniere said. “Just trying to improve always and get my game to the next level. I feel like I got better. Just keep it going, keep playing hard. When you have fun, it always helps.”
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