Alexis Lafreniere’s tenure with the New York Rangers has been anything but steady. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a 28-goal season and a strong showing in the 2024 playoffs, some believe his time in New York might be nearing its end. Among them is *New York Post* reporter Mollie Walker, who recently questioned his future with the team.
Lafreniere seemed to be on the rise — a top pick in the 2020 draft, a breakout year with 57 points in 2023-24, and a seven-year, \$52.15 million contract extension signed last October. At that time, both the team and its fans were optimistic, with Lafreniere starting the season strong and the Rangers coming off a Presidents’ Trophy win.
But things went south quickly. New York stumbled into a slump starting in November, finishing 2024 on a dismal 4-15-0 run and missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. Lafreniere’s performance declined as well — after a promising start post-extension, he tallied just 17 goals and 45 points by season’s end.
Walker noted on the *RINK RAP* podcast that while it’s tough to pinpoint exactly what went wrong, something felt off in Lafreniere’s game — from decreased production to noticeable inconsistency and effort issues. “It might be time for GM Chris Drury to admit the investment in Lafreniere hasn’t paid off,” she said, suggesting it could be smart to explore trade options while there’s still value.
Lafreniere himself acknowledged his struggles. At season’s end, he admitted he lacked consistency and failed to make an impact, citing a prolonged scoring drought and a dip in confidence.
The decline in both individual and team performance has led to renewed questions about whether Lafreniere remains part of the Rangers’ long-term vision.