Contrary to popular belief, the first overall picks in the draft don’t always get off to a flying start in the National League.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
Take Alexis Lafrenière. First player selected at the 2020 auction, he has 52 points in his first 135 games in the Bettman circuit. Although he has shown great things in his first two seasons with the New York Rangers, we can not say that he has established himself without hesitation as a dominant player so far.
The young forward, who is still only 20 years old, however, was talked about for his performances in the playoffs last spring. Accompanied by Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko on a trio dubbed the “kid line” (youth line), Lafrenière tallied 2 goals and 7 assists in 20 games.
Met at the Videotron Center on the occasion of the Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron event on Tuesday, the native of Saint-Eustache explained his playoff successes in a very simple way.
“It was just trying to play my game,
he indicated. Series is a simple, fast and physical game. With our line, it went well. We had a great bond. It was really fun and the team, in general, did very well. »
“It was flat to lose in the third round, but I think it’s still a good run for us,” he added.
From an individual point of view, the forward also imposed himself more physically, registering 50 body checks.
“I think it’s part of my style of play a bit,” he said of it. I’m a guy who likes to be involved. On the forecheck, it’s about finishing my checks and winning the most one-on-one battles. It’s really my style and it’s something that I try to bring more and more. »
Next step
Now that his first two seasons are behind him, that he has learned to “play with men”, Lafrenière is ready to take the next step. With the departures of Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp and Frank Vatrano, there is room on Rangers’ top two lines.
The Quebecer will also end this year the last season of his entry contract. He will want to have a good campaign in the hope of landing the best possible contract.
“I’m sure I’m going to do more,
he asserted. All players want to do more, year after year, and I do too. »
PHOTO BRUCE BENNETT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Alexis Lafreniere
No matter what line I’m going to play on, I’m going to be ready and I’m going to try to take my game to another level.
Alexis Lafreniere
To achieve this, he intends to be “even stronger in the gym” and continue to work on his skills. In other words, “it’s just trying to be even more complete”.
“An Incredible Leader”
The same day Lafrenière was meeting with the media, Jacob Trouba was named captain of the Rangers. The young striker quickly indicated that it was, in his eyes, a “very good choice”, he who has been with him since his arrival in New York.
“Everyone kinda expected it. We had some good candidates, in my opinion, good leaders, but I think it’s a pretty easy choice. He’s an incredible leader. He is always there for us, to defend his teammates. He plays the right way. Off the ice, he’s a pro. »
“He really is a perfect leader for us,” he added.