Alexis Lafrenière experienced a promising start to the 2024-25 season, scoring four goals in seven games, leading to a significant contract extension with the Rangers. However, as the season progressed, he struggled, scoring only 13 goals in his remaining 74 games and enduring multiple long scoring droughts. His performance fell short of the expectations tied to his $52 million contract, prompting self-reflection on overthinking his game. Heading into the offseason, he recognizes the need for improvement in multiple areas to fulfill his potential.
"Maybe a little for sure," Lafrenière said of overthinking more than in past seasons, "when you go through long times of not scoring or whatever. For sure, you think about it when you're on the ice. Yeah, wasn't the best year for sure."
Those shortcomings will shape his offseason, when the Rangers will likely experience plenty of change but Lafrenière, given his deal, will remain a constant.
He'll need to get stronger off the ice. Need to improve his skating while on it. Need to improve at finding crevices that lead to better chances, in addition to getting to the net and to the "tough areas."
Head coach Peter Laviolette said that he has the potential "to have a big impact in the game" just like someone such as Artemi Panarin, something that materialized for the Rangers when they needed it most.
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