3 questions facing New York Rangers

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the New York Rangers.

1. What is next for Alexis Lafreniere?

The 21-year-old forward is still a restricted free agent.

Lafreniere, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is coming off his three-year entry-level contract. Rangers general manager Chris Drury said July 1 that he is not looking to trade him and is hopeful he remains in New York for a long time.

Assuming that's still the case, coach Peter Laviolette said there will be opportunity for Lafreniere to climb the depth chart and earn more minutes, both at even strength and on the power play.

Lafreniere's point production has increased in each of his first three seasons from 21 in 56 games as a rookie in 2020-21 to 31 in 79 games two seasons ago to 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) in 81 games last season. He's also been behind Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin on the left wing depth chart, and mostly on the second power-play unit, averaging 1:23 of ice time on the man-advantage in 2022-23.

"Opportunity is necessary for growth," Laviolette said. "That's what is going to be great about training camp, the slate is clean, and the door is wide open for anybody to kick it down. You can come in and bust through that door, say, 'Here I am, and this is what I want to do.'"

2. What will Laviolette bring?

Work ethic and compete will be stressed early and often in training camp.

"I want practice to be the standard," Laviolette said.

Laviolette said he doesn't want to take away from any of the Rangers skill. He instead said he wants to enhance it, if possible, but he won't allow the players to veer from a hard-work mentality just because they have skill.

"That's why I said from Day One, it's time to go to work," Laviolette said. "It's time to compete and go to work every day."

3. Where will Blake Wheeler play?

The Rangers potentially made the best bargain signing in free agency by getting Wheeler on a one-year, $800,000 contract with an additional $300,000 in potential performance bonuses.

The Winnipeg Jets bought out the final season of Wheeler's five-year, $41.25 million contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. Wheeler, who turns 37 on Aug. 31, chose the Rangers, who have an opening for him at right wing in their top-six forward group.

Kaapo Kakko is the other top candidate for the role.

Wheeler had 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists) in 72 games last season, and six points (two goals, four assists) in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"My discussion with Blake Wheeler was I asked him, 'Do you think you could be first-line right wing? Do you think you can be second-line right wing?' " Laviolette said. "That's his opportunity, come in and push. I think that's what he was looking for too."