Alexis Lafreniere is a brain bender for Rangers management

Alexis Lafreniere is a bust. As a huge fan of Lafreniere (he is my favorite player on the New York Rangers), it’s taken me far longer to say that than most. I held out hope through an up and down first season. I held out hope through a rough second season. In the 2022 postseason, I was the first one to point out his seemingly improved play. In 2024, I was the first person screaming that this was the start of a breakout for the young forward.

Chris Drury must have believed that too, as Alexis Lafreniere got his bag on a long-term deal with the Rangers. Sure, his highest point total in a single season was under 60 still, but you could see the wheels turning, and the best was surely yet to come.

Then…I truly don’t know. Lafreniere got off to a great start in the first few games of the 2024-25 season, then just completely stopped producing. The drop off is reminiscent of someone regressing, but by all means Lafreniere is due to grow, not regress. Alexis Lafreniere’s advanced statistics have continued to look strong, he just isn’t scoring.

This is where I’m struggling the most. With Kaapo Kakko, I saw a player who never looked like anything better than a third line forward in the NHL. There was maybe one impressive play a month, but that’s about it. When the Rangers traded Kakko, I felt no remorse, only relief that we could stop pretending he would ever be more than he is.

With Alexis Lafreniere, the Rangers face a different dilemma, and I think they know it. Lafreniere regularly makes “wow” plays, though most haven’t been ending up in the back of the net. Lafreniere’s advanced statistics are fantastic, and still point to potential for a breakout. Lafreniere remains very young and it would not be inconceivable for him to hit that spurt a bit later than most.

On the other hand, production is production, Alexis Lafreniere is not exactly a defensive wizard, even with improved defense metrics that are easily the best in his career thus far. At a certain point, changes of scenery look very alluring.

I don’t even know what I do if I were the Rangers. Any return for Alexis Lafreniere would be limited because of his lack of production. Would you take a late first round pick for him? Would a team even offer that at this point? 

For now, the Rangers are riding it out with Lafreniere, whether to hope he gets to who he can be, or to rebuild trade value. I can’t help but think the Rangers also have the 2024 postseason in mind when thinking about Lafreniere.

There is a good player somewhere in there. He showed up for a couple of stints, but he hasn’t found his way permanently to the league. My greatest fear is he does for someone else. To avoid that, the Rangers may have to hold out hope for a while longer.