Is Alexis Lafreniere on his way to becoming a healthy scratch?
It is not uncommon in hockey for coaches to make changes to their lineup after a tough loss, as they may feel that a different combination of players or a different approach is necessary to improve the team's performance. So, it was no mystery there would be a shake in the lineup following the New York Rangers’ no show 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on December 27th. However, hearing that the team's most recent first-overall pick could be headed towards a healthy scratch was certainly not expected.
At the Rangers practice the day following the shameful loss, Mollie Walker, a beat reporter for the rangers, published a tweet with the practice lines. The most noticeable change was Alexis Lafreniere being on the fourth line, split with another player at that.
Lafreniere’s spot in the Rangers lineup for their next game on December 29th against the Tampa Bay Lightning is uncertain, and him splitting the final place on the fourth line in practice with Sammy Blais could easily mean he is heading towards a healthy scratch.
Lafreniere, who is 21 years old, is quietly mounting a good campaign. Despite constantly swapping lines and positions between the left and right wings, he has 17 points in 36 games. The young player should beat his 31-point career-high and match his 12-assist season high from the previous year.
Rangers head coach, Gerard Gallant, wants the best for his young player. However, Gallant noted that, although Lafreniere has played well at times, he is inconsistent. Inconsistency in a hockey player's performance can be frustrating for both the player and the team, as it can make it difficult for a player to contribute consistently and for the team to predict what to expect from a player on a game-to-game basis. Likely, Gallant is not trying to punish or strain his young star, but more so, use this as an opportunity for a wake-up call.
Moving a young player down in the lineup is not necessarily a bad idea, as it can sometimes be a valuable tool for coaches to help players develop and improve their game. However, it's essential to consider the context in which a player is being moved down in the lineup. For example, suppose a player is being demoted to a lower line due to poor performance or a lack of effort. In that case, it can be viewed as a negative development and could impact the player's confidence and motivation.