Alexis Lafreniere
Lafreniere is a top-line right wing on the first power-play unit. His line was reshuffled on October 30, and the Rangers are 7-6-1 after 14 games.
Role
Daily Faceoff's line page (fetched Nov 2, last updated Nov 1) has him at right wing on the top line with Pavel Dorofeyev and Mika Zibanejad, and on the first power-play unit with Miller, Dorofeyev, Zibanejad and Adam Fox. NHL.com's projected lineup for the Nov 1 game against Edmonton has the same trio. Puckfeed's ice time for his first five games was 14:47 at 5v5 and 3:16 on the power play. That sample came before the line change, so I have no current figure. The first power-play unit has stayed the same through the line changes. Perreault, Kartye and Bjorkstrand are the nearest competition for top-six wing spots, and Perreault now plays on the third line.
Dorofeyev has been hitting posts without scoring, and his 34.95 GF% is not a sign of poor play. Blue Line Station called putting him with Zibanejad and Lafreniere a logical fix, and it described this as the line many expected on opening night. Last season's Hockey News coverage said Lafreniere played some of his best hockey beside Zibanejad. He also has the first power-play spot. His 5 power-play points in 15 games last season came with the same role. Lafreniere was named a three-star player in the week of March 15, 2026.
The top line has been unstable all season, and Sullivan changed it mid-slump. Before Oct 30, Lafreniere played beside Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault, a line that scored 3 goals and allowed none in 57:20 together over five games. The Rangers are 7-6-1 and reportedly lost Igor Shesterkin for the season, which puts pressure on Sullivan to keep changing lines. Sullivan has used the new trio only briefly, and coverage shows no regular-season results for it beyond one Edmonton game. Last season's 15-game sample is small: 9 goals on 36 shots.
Where analysts split
Broad agreement on his role: top-line right wing and first power-play unit. The open question is the line around him. Beat-linked coverage mostly backs Dorofeyev as the left winger with Zibanejad and Lafreniere, and Sullivan says the timing was right for the change. Whether it lasts or Perreault returns to the line is unresolved, and I found no reporting predicting which way Sullivan will go.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at LW
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