Rangers need Alexis Lafreniere to be better than a ‘mixed bag’

EDMONTON, Alberta — The Rangers have been trying to find some consistency in their game as a whole, but Alexis Lafrenière is one of several key players who the team needs more from. 

Lafrenière, in his sixth NHL season since the Blueshirts drafted him first overall in 2020, has left a lot to be desired on both sides of the puck through the first 11 games of the 2025-26 season. While the offensive statistics say Lafrenière is doing everything but scoring, the lack of finish has been notable and the defensive lapses have been costly. 

“I think it’s been a little bit of a mixed bag,” head coach Mike Sullivan said after practice Wednesday at Rogers Place. “I think he’s had some games where he’s had some strong games. He’s one of those talented guys that has the ability to create something out of nothing. We’ve moved him around our top six to try to find some combinations that we thought could help us create a little bit more finish to our game. But he’s had a number of looks on the power play and five vs. five. The one he had in Calgary, for example, I had that on the scoreboard. I think we all did. He was talking to himself when he came back to the bench.”

Ranked second on the team in expected goals share during five-on-five play (61.10), Lafrenière is also second on the team in five-on-five shots on goal with 20. The only player with more is Mika Zibanejad with 27. 

Alexis Lafrenière of the New York Rangers in action during the game against the San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2025. Getty Images

Lafrenière is also tied with Conor Sheary for the third-most high-danger chances with 13, in addition to sitting third on the team in shots per 60 with 7.87. 

On the defensive end, however, Lafrenière has been on the ice for seven five-on-five goals against, tied with Zibanejad for the second most on the team. Only Braden Schneider has been on for more with eight. 

The 24-year-old Lafrenière also owns a team-worst minus-nine rating. 

“It’s not like he hasn’t had opportunities to score goals,” Sullivan said. “Obviously, we have higher expectations just from a production standpoint. Our message to him is just make sure we’re playing the game the right way, focus on the process. The by-product of that will be you’re going to get opportunity, and when opportunity presents itself, take advantage.”

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) and New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) fight for possession in the third period at Madison Square Garden, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in New York, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Rangers skated in the same forward lines and defense pairs during practice Wednesday. 

After going three-for-three on the penalty kill Tuesday night, the Rangers have fended off all six of the power plays they faced in the last two games. They are 16-for-18 (88.9 percent) on the penalty kill on the road this season, which is the fifth-best mark in the NHL.