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.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.

“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. 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...