The New York Rangers' 2025-26 season was a disappointment, but not for all players. One standout performer was Alexis Lafreniere, who had a strong bounce-back campaign, scoring 24 goals and 57 points, tying his career-high. This performance suggests that the 2026-27 season could be a significant opportunity for Lafreniere to become the star winger he was projected to be. Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic projects Lafreniere to start the season on the Rangers' first line, playing alongside Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Dorofeyev. This is a big opportunity for Lafreniere, who has previously played with Zibanejad and is now paired with a pure goal scorer like Dorofeyev. Dorofeyev's ability to finish plays will allow Lafreniere to focus on playmaking, a natural talent he has always possessed. Additionally, Lafreniere's power play time has increased, which could contribute to a career year. He led the team in scoring in the final 27 games of the season, scoring 14 goals and 28 points, and 15 points on the power play, up from his previous career high of six. While a small sample size, these performances suggest that Lafreniere is taking a step forward and could become a top-six force. With the right support and a full season of playing with Dorofeyev, Lafreniere's expectations should rise significantly.
