The New York Rangers have opened the season at 11-8-1 despite losing star goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the year and missing several key skaters to injury. Many of the team’s top forwards have been steady, but the offense has struggled to produce consistently. One forward who has delivered is winger Alexis Lafreniere, whose excellent start has helped him step up early in the season.
Hot Start This Season
In 2025-26, Lafreniere committed to backchecking and improving defensively, but he got off to a slow start offensively. During the second half of the season, he developed chemistry on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault and broke out offensively. He finished with 14 goals and 14 assists in his final 27 games and recorded 24 goals and 33 assists in 82 games overall.
This season, Lafreniere has picked up where he left off and has been the Rangers’ most productive forward. His line has consistently generated scoring chances at even strength, and he has set up linemates with cross-ice passes while capitalizing on his own opportunities. He has driven to the front of the net and shown quick hands and an accurate shot.
Lafreniere has also done a strong job on the power play, winning puck battles and making smart decisions about when to shoot and when to pass. Although the Rangers have missed Artemi Panarin on the power play since his trade to the Los Angeles Kings last season, Lafreniere has been a bright spot and has secured a spot on the top unit after spending many seasons on the second unit.
His development has taken time, but Lafreniere has played like a star early this season, posting nine goals and 11 assists in 20 games. He has also continued to work on his defensive play, and the team can rely on him while protecting leads late in close games.
Importance for the Rangers
Though Lafreniere has gotten off to a great start, many key Rangers have slumped early this season. New York’s centers have combined for just nine goals in the first 20 games. Zibanejad scored twice in a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 11, giving him five goals on the season, while J.T. Miller has four goals.
Third-line center Noah Laba has no goals and five assists in 20 games, and fourth-line center Joe Veleno has missed extended time with an injury. None of the centers filling in for him on the fourth line have scored a goal yet. Head coach Mike Sullivan briefly moved winger Will Cuylle to center to try to generate more production from the Rangers’ third line.
The Rangers are also dealing with key injuries on defense, as Sean Durzi has missed six games with an upper-body injury and rookie Alberts Smits is also out with an upper-body injury. Durzi gave the team a second offensive-minded defenseman who could contribute on the power play and take some pressure off Adam Fox, who has been excellent this season.
The combination of injuries and slumping players has made Lafreniere extremely important for the Rangers. He played like a star late last season and has continued to do so early this season. The key will be maintaining this level of play throughout the season and avoiding extended slumps.
Living Up to Contract Expectations
Lafreniere got off to a hot start during the 2024-25 season and signed a seven-season, $52.15 million contract extension, but he struggled in the second half of that season. Late last season and early this season, he has exceeded contract expectations and become one of the Rangers’ best players. With several key players injured and others slumping, his strong start has helped the team continue to win games.