New York Rangers Alexis Lafreniere Looks to Bounce Back

New York Rangers star forward Alexis Lafreniere, the 2020 1st overall pick, looks to rebound from a tough rookie season. Lafreniere seeks to continue where he left off, producing more like we are used to seeing after struggling the first half of last season.

After producing 14 points in the first 39 games, he finished strong, netting 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points in 9 games. Feeling confident after a good training camp leads one to wonder if he will lead the Rangers in scoring this season.

Lafreniere dominated the QMJHL in every offensive category. In his 3 seasons with the Rimouski Oceanic, he recorded 114 goals and 183 assists for 297 points in only 173 games. He would then go on to be the best overall player available for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

As we head into a brand new season, one might argue that star forward Lafreniere got pushed around his first season. The Rangers addressed that issue by bringing in Ryan Reaves, Barclay Goodrow, and Samuel  Blais.

Alexis Lafreniere is a star forward, not just in New York but the entire league. He could very well become a dominant player in the next few years by being a candidate to lead the NHL in scoring.

He has Connor McDavid-type skill, as he can put up points in bunches. However, he has also worked hard on his defensive game, making him a 200-foot player.

The New York Rangers have supplied him with offensive weapons to help him flourish on the ice and be more productive. With a season behind him, Lafreniere now knows what to expect, and is fully aware of the speed and timing aspect of the NHL.

He will struggle, he will have turnovers, and he will have games where he doesn’t produce. We should remember that he is still only 20 years old and has time to grow.

With his talent and the Rangers looking like a Cup Contender, this could be his breakout season. Do not give up on him just yet, as he does have the ability to score highlight reel goals and take the game by storm.