Trocheck: Lafreniere did good by Rangers with new deal

New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck thinks linemate Alexis Lafreniere did the organization a favor by inking a seven-year, $52.15-million extension on Friday.

"I personally think he's doing good by the Rangers with this deal," Trocheck told The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

Lafreniere's $7.45-million cap hit will slot in behind Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, and Jacob Trouba on New York's books when it kicks in next season. Igor Shesterkin will likely come in ahead of Lafreniere should the Rangers retain his services, as he reportedly turned down an extension that'd make him the highest-paid goalie in league history.

The 23-year-old Lafreniere broke out with a career-high 28 goals and 57 points last season despite minimal power-play time and has started the new campaign with seven points in as many games. He also added 14 points in 16 playoff games this past spring as the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final.

His emergence has erased a difficult start to his career. The 2020 first overall pick managed only 91 points through his first three seasons, but he's since blossomed into an indispensable piece of New York's attack.

He credited playing with Trocheck and Panarin as a big reason for his success.

"Just playing with a little more confidence helps a lot," Lafreniere said. "It helped (playing with) Bread and Troch. ... Playing with confidence is a big thing, and I think last year I was playing with more and more confidence."

Lafreniere, Trocheck, and Panarin logged more minutes than any other line across the NHL last season, and they outscored opponents 54-39 at five-on-five while controlling 54.93% of expected goals.