New York Rangers’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Alexis Lafreniere

The New York Rangers selected Alexis Lafreniere first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, and the winger has had an inconsistent six seasons with New York. At times, he has struggled, but he also has had some great stretches of play, and he was a bright spot in the second half of this season.

2025-26 Performance

Lafreniere had a breakout 2023-24 season as he finished with 28 goals and 29 assists in 82 games and then had eight goals and six assists in 16 postseason games, while playing on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. However, he did not play as well last season, despite playing with the same linemates. He finished with just 17 goals and 28 assists in 82 games, as the Rangers missed the playoffs.

This season, Lafreniere once again began the season playing with Panarin and Trocheck, but he slumped early in the season, and Trocheck missed a few weeks with an upper-body injury. The Rangers struggled offensively and were held to two or fewer goals in 17 of their first 32 games. They were shut out in five of their first seven home games.

Both the Rangers and Lafreniere showed defensive improvement this season, and he made a commitment to backchecking. He also made smarter plays with the puck and avoided some of the sloppy turnovers in the neutral zone that hurt the team in 2024-25.

While Lafreniere did show improvement defensively, he struggled to score at even strength in the first half of the season and had 10 goals and 19 assists in his first 53 games. He did not play on the top power-play unit for the first half of the season, but moved onto it after the Rangers traded Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.

In addition to getting an opportunity with the first power-play unit, Lafreniere moved onto a new line with Mika Zibanejad and rookie winger Gabe Perreault. He broke out offensively as he created opportunities for his linemates, drove to the front of the net, and scored on wrist shots from the slot, deflections on shots from the point, and rebound opportunities. He was consistently one of their best players after the Panarin trade and finished with 14 goals and 14 assists in his final 29 games, giving him 24 goals and 33 assists this season.

Key Role Next Season

Though Lafreniere played on the Rangers’ first line before the Panarin trade, he played an even bigger role after the trade. He looked to do more when he had the puck, and his strong play helped Perreault, the team’s top prospect. After struggling to get the best out of their young forwards for years, this season was a step in the right direction for the rookie winger.

The Rangers need Lafreniere to continue driving play and consistently contribute offensively. In spurts, he has played like a star, which he did in the final 29 games of this season, but he has never been able to maintain that level of play long-term. He played well on the power play late this season and had a career-high 15 points on the man advantage. He should continue to get chances on the top power-play unit next season.

Lafreniere will be heading into the second year of a seven-year, $52.15 million contract, and he appears to be ready to take on more responsibility. He has made an effort to improve defensively, and once he broke out offensively, he was a difference maker for the Rangers in the second half of the season.

Overall Grade

Lafreniere gets a B for his play in 2025-26. During the second half of the season, he was a bright spot for the Rangers and one of their best players. He played well defensively throughout the season, but his offensive struggles in the first half were frustrating. He should continue playing on the top power-play unit and the top line with Zibanejad and Perreault, and the hope is that he will consistently produce offensively next season.