Rangers Roundup: Lafreniere getting plenty of playing time, Panarin fastest to 100, and Rangers not getting Dubois

Anthony Scultore Updated: Jan 23, 2021

Alexis Lafreniere has no points in four NHL games, and the biggest issue right now is he’s being too unselfish. It certainly isn’t ice time. David Quinn is not only playing the kid but putting him on either one of the top two lines.

Alexis Lafreniere’s ice time with Rangers so far this season

13:21 (vs NYI)
16:31 (vs NYI)
14:14 (vs NJD)
15:06 (vs PIT)
14:48 AVG

As far as 5v5 ice time goes, only Artemi Panarin (14:58), Pavel Buchnevich (13:35) and Ryan Strome (13:10) have played more than Lafreniere (12:17).

The 19 year-old rookie is a -2 on the season, but only has 5 shots on 10 attempts in the early going. Lafreniere is coming in to the league known for his playmaking ability, but needs to start shooting more to keep defenders honest.

If he can start playing away from the boards and get to the middle of the ice, the points will come.

alexis lafreniere — Alexis Lafreniere getting ice time (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Artemi Panarin truly a special player

Last night Artemi Panarin recorded his 100th point as a member of the New York Rangers. He did so in 73 games on the strength of 34 goals and 66 assists.

Certainly many Rangers have notched 100 points in the Blue Sweater, but none faster than Panarin. With his PP assist on Adam Fox’s goal he surpassed Mark Messier who scored his 100th Rangers point n 74 games.

We all know just how special Messier was to the Rangers franchise. Panarin is walking a very similar path on Broadway.

NHL Rumors: Rangers not in on Pierre-Luc Dubois

The rumor mill was buzzing last night upon Darren Dreger’s report that Pierre-Luc Dubois was close to being traded. He followed that up with expecting a deal to be completed as soon as today.

According to the insiders, Dubois is most likely headed to Winnipeg in a multi-player deal where Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic could be headed to Columbus.

Prior to Dreger’s reporting, I wrote that the Rangers (who are interested) did not feel that the Jackets would trade Dubois within the division. Remember, they are in the Metro and this current realignment is temporary.

For the latest, read The Daily Goal Horn.

https://www.thedailygoalhorn.com/nhl-news-stars-explode-for-7-in-first-game-after-covid-delay-dubois-on-the-move-and-more/

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL ... More about Anthony Scultore