New York Rangers exploring the option of Alexis Lafreniere on the 1st power-play unit
The New York Rangers power-play has gone downhill this season compared to last. According to StatMuse, the team ranks 6th in Power-play percentage in the NHL, at 25.9 just below their rival New Jersey Devils, led by Sheldon Keefe.
If that isn't a red flag, I don't know what is and the Rangers should address this right away.
The top unit has been dismal and hasn't been performing as it should, as the Power-play has had 27 opportunities in their last 9 games per StatMuse.
The team has only been able to capitalize on the man advantage scoring 3 goals in that timeframe signaling there's a bigger issue.
Could the solution be to move Alexis Lafreniere into the top unit?
According to Peter Laviolette, with 25.9% he is reluctant to even consider such a change.
«I think you have the look at the PP unit and the guys that have been on the ice for the last few years and the rate that they work at. It's a high percentage and one of the tops in the league,» he said. «It's about messing with that and inserting somebody else. I'm not saying that's not gonna happen, there's a chance it could at some point. We just made a decision to start the year the way that we finished last year.»
With Laviolette sticking to his decision to keep the "top players" in the first unit, he lets chemistry remain, and production continues to decline.
Should The Rangers Use Lafreniere?
It seems unlikely that the Rangers will remove Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, or even Adam Fox from the 1st power-play unit in favor of Alexis Lafreniere. So who would have to come out?
Mika Zibanejad.
Kreider's net-front presence is a must as a hard-nosed forward, and Troecheck's bumper spot is safe from Lafreniere, given he is more of a playmaker.
If the Rangers remove Zibanejad THW's Anthony Russo illustrates the kind of chaos they'd have to face.
First, the Rangers will have to change the setup of their power play. Currently, for the most part, Panarin with possession in the offensive zone works the right side of the ice. He has the option to either shoot the puck or lure defenders in and find an open lane for a cross-ice pass. Taking off Zibanejad, with his elite shot, eliminates that threat. That would mean Panarin would have to shift over to the left circle if the Rangers want the one-time option still in play. Sometimes with how the Rangers rotate on the ice, Panarin is at the left circle anyway. But if Zibanejad is taken off - rotating and finding shooting threats will be tougher.
However, with that in mind, Lafreniere was one of the top 5v5 scorers on the Rangers last season. He was ranked 43rd in the NHL for that metric alone.
Putting him on the 1st power-play unit could result in a successful power-play unit, in addition to adding him to the right side of the play as a left-handed shooter increases the threat of goal-scoring on opponents.
More importantly, putting him on the right side of the ice (as a left-handed player) opens up another shooting threat. When operating on your off-side in the offensive zone, it's easier to handle passes and can allow for quicker cross-ice passes. Plus, Lafreniere will be able to be in a shooting position if he decides to crash into a slot coming in from the right side, which is not something Panarin can really do.
Overall, the change would give opposing teams something else to think about for a power play that's already tough enough to defend.
It's worth considering as an option in the future as the Rangers need a spark in the offense in this area.
You can't be a Stanley Cup contender on 5v5 play alone.
| POLL |
Should the Rangers utilize Alexis Lafreniere on the top power-play unit? |
| Yes | 403 | 87.6 % |
| No | 57 | 12.4 % |
| List of polls |
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