Rebuilding Confidence: Where the First Overall Pick Fits in the Rangers Future

The retooling stage of the New York Rangers has made its first move with Carson Soucy's departure, with many more moves to come. With the departure of Artemi Panarin coming any day now, it's time for fans to think of the moves that are best for the Rangers' future. Whilst veterans like Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad can earn this team a lot in return, there's a certain youngster who has certainly failed to meet expectations for some time. Now in his sixth NHL season, Alexis Lafreniere just doesn't seem to have the same magic as these recent first overall picks show, leaving plenty to wonder if his time as a New York Ranger is coming to an end. While still quite young, is a retool needed for Lafreniere to find his game again, or is it time for New York to move on?

Since his debut in the NHL, fans never seemed to be quite convinced of Lafreniere as a first overall. While most first overall picks have themselves quite a few rebuilding seasons to develop, Lafreniere was thrown right into the postseason in his second NHL season. It was not until the 2023-24 season, particularly in the postseason, that Lafreniere showed a glimpse of the kind of player he could become. Since then, his confidence seems to have gone nowhere but down, as he has failed to meet the expectations this team set for him when he signed his eight-year extension just last season. While many seemed to have lost hope for Lafreniere, a few still believe his confidence can be restored, but how? 

Fans should remember that Lafreniere had only a single season before the Rangers became a playoff team, leaving little time to develop before the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While playoff experience is massive, especially for a young player, it leaves Lafreniere with little time on the first line, a crucial factor in developing prospects. Though his performance in 2024 was incredible, he had much help from his linemates Panarin and Trocheck, who will both most likely be gone by next season. The absence of veterans like this would mean players like Lafreniere need to step up and stop relying on them for most of the offense, which could lead to more shots for him. If his confidence from two years ago can be restored, fans can surely start believing in their first overall pick once again. The New York Rangers are sure to look much different by the start of next season, and many wonder if Lafreniere is still to be part of it. Can fans find it in themselves to give Lafreniere one last season to restore himself to the player worth his contract?