Per NHL.com’s Dan Rosen, New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere is now in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Forward Lauri Pajuniemi is now on the active roster, being recalled from the taxi squad today.
Lafreniere continues to struggle to work his way out of a depth role on this Rangers team, but he has 11 points through 37 games this season. Anthony Greco will draw into the lineup for his first game of the season.
Assuming Lafreniere is only subject to the five-day quarantine, he’ll only miss two games and be ready for the January 19 game against Toronto.
He’s the fourth Ranger to enter COVID protocol right now. Forwards Julien Gauthier, Barclay Goodrow, and Ryan Reaves were put on the list earlier in the week.
Knew laf was a bust before draft. You could just see his play in minors, no defining traits and not blazing fast. Glad kings didn’t get him. Yikes
Man’s 20 y/o…ik he’s not playing good hockey but it’s too soon to call him a bust yet
I can’t believe this kid was seen as a slam dunk #1 pick. He wouldn’t go above Byfield, Stutzel or Raymond now
He was drafted by a team on the rise and lucked out getting the top pick. He’s a LW on the third line because he’s not going to bump Kreider or Panarin. This Ranger team is deep – gave away Buchnevich, are 7-8 deep on defense, and have a backup goalie that could start on many teams.
If you watch his games he’s not supported by the talent he needs to be effective, but when he does get moved up to the second line as he did recently due to Panarin’s Covid protocol absence, he performed well and looked good. He’s 20 years old – a baby, but will hit his expectations in due time. Others succeeding after him have had the luxury of ice time and playing at the top – he hasn’t.
Give the kid a break.he doesn’t have to be a top 6 player on the rangers now.This team is loaded with talent,so he has plenty of time to mature and gain confidence.
Please stop with the Covid protocols. No one cares.
Hi I care.
Before the draft I said Lafrieniere would be closer to a Hischier type #1 pick, not a Crosby or McDavid, etc.
Ranger fans didn’t want to hear it.
Now, it’s “hey, give him time, most first overall picks spend years as ineffective third line wingers…”
I still think he’s a solid player, but having Krieder and Panarin ahead of him has been really bad for his development.
The Rangers didn’t see the forest, only the trees.