Recognizing the silver linings in the Rangers’ second conference final loss in three years, as well as the organization’s fifth in the past 12, is difficult to do — but they’re certainly there.
None is more prominent, or important, than the ascension of Alexis Lafreniere.
The 2020 first-overall pick was one of the Rangers’ most consistent skaters in the playoffs after sending shock waves throughout the NHL during the regular season, banging the drums and alerting the masses that he has finally arrived.
It took three coaches and four seasons to get to this point, but you know what they say: Better late than never.
“It was really fun watching him play during the entire season, to see how he really improved,” his linemate, Artemi Panarin, said through an interpreter during the postseason. “It’s fun to play on the same line with him.”
After obliterating his previous career highs by scoring 28 goals, dishing 29 assists and posting 57 points in 82 games this season despite logging limited time on the second power-play unit, Lafreniere did what so many struggle to do and followed it up with an even more impressive playoff run.
The 22-year-old tied for the most goals on the team with eight, in addition to ranking fourth in points with 14, which again smashed his previous career postseason highs.
But Lafreniere’s contributions were also notably impactful — game-changing even — on both the scoreboard and the way the Rangers measured up to opponents.
Of his eight goals, seven either tied the game (4) or took the lead (3).
Playing with an edge and a persistent level of physicality, Lafreniere exuded confidence more and more every time he had the puck.
Even after he inadvertently tipped in Carter Verhaeghe’s centering feed to give Florida a backbreaking 2-0 lead late in the third period of the Rangers’ Game 1 loss in the conference final, Lafreniere went on to play a major role in keeping his team competitive in the series by scoring four of their 12 total goals.
After being heavily scrutinized for underperforming as a top draft pick, Lafreniere understandably never said much about his breakout season.
Instead, the Canadian wing repeatedly credited his linemates, Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, who doubters say are responsible for his success anyway.
But Lafreniere was a factor on that unit in his own right, especially when it mattered most in the playoffs.
“What we’ve seen is a player who’s come in and found real chemistry with a couple of guys, and that line has been really effective and really productive,” Peter Laviolette said of Lafreniere, who the Rangers head coach started in the top-six to begin the season despite a tough training camp. “His ability to attack the ice, his ability to make plays and his skill level has been on display the entire year. But the chemistry with that line — Panarin, and for the most part now, just Trocheck — I think they’ve been a line that has just created almost every game.”
Now entering the final season of a two-year, $4.65 million contract, Lafreniere’s next deal will be something president and general manager Chris Drury will want to begin looking at sooner rather than later.
The probability of Lafreniere’s role expanding next season is high, and it could include more special teams opportunities.
Now that’s a silver lining worth looking forward to.
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