Rangers Roundup: Alexis Lafrenière wants top minutes, Jessica Campbell hired, and more
Alexis Lafrenière has a lofty goal in mind for next season with the New York Rangers— to play in the top six.
The 20 year-old acknowledged that with both Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin occupying the top two left wing slots that it won’t be easy. His best chance is to move to the right wing, which is something he’s open to doing.
“I want to play in the top six eventually, that’s my goal,” Lafrenière said on breakup day. “I want to watch them and learn from them but hopefully next year I can play in the top six.”
Alexis Lafrenière wants to play top six
The Rangers first overall pick in the 2020 Draft had a bit of a slow start to the season. Whether it was some inconsistent minutes or shifting to right wing for a spell of games, he could never really get going.
However, late in the season he came on strong and eventually shined in the playoffs by playing a more physical brand of hockey. It also helped that Filip Chytil found another gear and Kaapo Kakko was healthy, as the Kid Line was a factor in the postseason.
When the regular-season ended, Lafrenière potted 19 goals with 39 points in 79 games. He added another 9 points (2G – 7A) in 20 playoff contests.
So what does Lafrenière feel he needs to work on for next season? His skating.
“I want to be a better, faster skater, so I’ll work on my skating, but I want to be stronger, too,” he said via the NY Post. “I’ll try to find a balance and work on everything, but my skating is more of the focus.”
New York Rangers hire Jessica Campbell
The New York Rangers announced on Tuesday the hiring of Jessica Campbell as a coach for their upcoming Development Camp.
The 29 year-old was an assistant coach for Team Germany at the World Championship. The first-ever woman to do so in a men’s tournament. Her lists of accomplishment in hockey are long, including being a captain for Team Canada in international play.
“My goal as a coach has always been to coach at the highest level,” Campbell told the IIHF website during the preliminary round in May. “It wasn’t really about the women’s game or the men’s game. In player development, you’re working with players of all ages, all levels, but I knew I wanted to work with pro athletes. But the transition going to the men’s game excited me, not because of the challenges but I felt I had a unique voice and unique perspective. The way I see things might be different, and that has allowed me to separate myself and establish a little bit more of a niche on the men’s side. I’m excited by that.”
NHL.com
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