Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere producing on the ice more than ever, and getting lots of attention because of it
Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere, center celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with defenseman Victor Mancini, left, and center Vincent Trocheck during the first period of an NHL game in Toronto on Saturday. Credit: AP/Cole Burston
MONTREAL — Alexis Lafreniere has always been swarmed by the local media whenever he returns to his hometown of Montreal. And naturally, he was the center of attention Tuesday at the Bell Centre, after the Rangers’ morning skate before their road trip finale against the Canadiens.
But the 23-year-old Lafreniere is getting attention from everywhere in the NHL now, not just in French Canada. The former No. 1 overall pick had a pretty big crowd around him at the Rangers’ morning skate Saturday in Toronto, as well. And Team Canada is reportedly considering including him on its roster for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
“Yeah, he deserves a look, for sure,’’ his linemate, Vincent Trocheck said. “He's a great hockey player, (and) he's starting the season off really well. So, I mean, this type of stuff is not really much of a surprise.’’
Lafreniere entered Tuesday’s game having scored a point in each of the Rangers’ first five games, including a goal in Saturday’s 4-1 win in Toronto, totaling two goals and four assists. And the swagger with which he is playing is noticeable. The goal he scored on opening night in Pittsburgh – where he pulled off a sweet toe-drag to get around a fallen Penguins defender and whipped a shot past goalie Tristan Jarry to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead late in the first period – was illustrative of the confidence he is feeling these days.
“That's more instinct,’’ he said a week ago of that play. “You’re trying to look for a pass, it’s not really there, and then you try to make a move. It's trusting your instinct and trying to make plays.’’
After four years of being mostly stiff and guarded around the media, Lafreniere seems a lot more relaxed in the locker room these days. Maybe it’s because he’s producing so much more, and he doesn’t have to answer the same questions over and over again about being stuck on the third line, or dealing with the pressure of being the No. 1 overall pick.
He finally had his long awaited breakout season last year, putting up career highs in goals (28), assists (29) and points (57), and as coach Peter Laviolette has observed on many occasions already this season, he seems to be picking up this year where he left off.
Asked Tuesday if he thought Lafreniere deserves to be in the mix for Team Canada, Laviolette said:
“Those decisions go to a different country and a different group of men. But if you're asking me if he's been an impact player for our team, he certainly has. And as I stated in the last couple days, I think his confidence has really grown to the point where last year in the playoffs, he was really impactful. And he started off the same way this year.’’
Lafreniere’s ascension comes at a time when he’s in the process of negotiating a contract extension. Reports say he and the Rangers are discussing a deal in the neighborhood of $8 million per for eight years, but if he keeps getting better and more dynamic, who knows where the final numbers will end up?
Lindgren makes debut
Defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who has been on injured reserve since the beginning of the season with an upper-body injury suffered in a preseason fight with the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield, made his season debut Tuesday night.
Lindgren partnered with rookie Victor Mancini on the third defense pairing.
“He's a heart and soul guy,’’ Laviolette said of Lindgren. “Plays hard every single shift, every game. He gives everything he has. You remove a guy like that from the lineup, and you feel it, so it'll be nice to get him back in there . . . I think his impact will be felt, and will continue to get better, the more he plays.’’
Lindgren’s return, and Mancini staying in the lineup, meant Zac Jones was scratched for the second straight game. Chad Ruhwedel, who made his season debut Saturday in Toronto, was scratched again, for the fifth time in six games. Forward Matt Rempe was also scratched, as Jonny Brodzinski returned to the lineup.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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