Alexis Lafrenière will make his NHL debut Thursday night against the New York Islanders. In order to ensure a transition and not to throw him in the mouth of the wolf from the start, the Rangers will employ him in the third line of the team but the first overall pick of the last draft intends to have an impact, little no matter where it will be used.
Lafrenière has been training to the left of Filip Chytil and Julien Gauthier since the start of training camp and it is within this unit that he should face the New York Islanders, at Madison Square Garden. The Quebecer should also be used in one of the two power play units.
One thing is certain, the 19-year-old striker finds himself in a situation a little different from those he has experienced throughout his career: he will not be the cornerstone of his training.
“I think I can still make an impact when I’m on the ice. I am a player who will continue to work no matter where I am in the lineup. I can still create offense and I’ll stick to what I’m capable of doing well. It’s always how I played and we will hope that tomorrow’s game (Thursday night) goes well, ”he said on Wednesday, admitting to feeling nervous as his baptism of fire approached. .
Good chemistry
With Chytil and Gauthier, Lafrenière will find himself in a trio that will certainly lower the average age – already low – of the Rangers. The team’s first pick in 2017, Chytil, 21, will be in his third full season with the Rangers while Gauthier, 23, is trying to establish himself as a regular for the first time in his career. He was traded to the Rangers last year after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes.
“We’ve been improving since day 1 and trying to learn to play well together,” Lafrenière said of his line-up partners. They are two players who work hard and skate. It’s fun playing with them since they are still working to collect pucks. ”
In addition, the left winger does not hide that ending up with a compatriot from Quebec is not a disadvantage.
“Whenever we are among Quebecers, we respect each other. It’s fun to have someone who speaks French. We can help each other. We both played junior so we have the same background. ”
Without preparation
Unlike some of the rookies before him, Lafrenière will make his debut under special circumstances that mean he hasn’t had the chance to play any pre-season games before the start of the season.
His teammate Chris Kreider experienced a similar situation during the 2011-2012 season, when he made his NHL debut in the playoffs, just after finishing his college career.
“It was a little different situation, tempers Kreider. Alexis is 1000 times the player I was at his age. At 19, I had my arms around university when he will be an important part of our team. I made my debut in the NHL when I was 20 or 21, having spent three years at the varsity level preparing in the gym for that day. This year it will be like trying to get on a bandwagon for everyone, not just him. However, from what I saw, I don’t think it will be a problem for Alexis. ”
With Miller
Besides, finished the hotel for the new member of the Rangers. He recently moved into an apartment about 15 minutes from the Rangers training complex in Tarrytown with his teammate K’Andre Miller.
The two rookies got to know each other at the start of the season, as they had been placed with the same boarding family before training camp.
“We created a great chemistry and we decided to live together. I think he’s a really good person and I’m happy to live with him. ”
–
