Alexis Lafreniere

Much like linemates Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, Lafreniere noticeably improved in 2022-23. The first overall pick from 2020 produced 16 goals, 23 assists, 135 shots on goal and 141 hits in 81 contests last season. He's missed just four games in his career, with durability being his top trait. Lafreniere is entering his age-22 campaign, so it's reasonable to expect another three or four years of growth on offense. While he may start the 2023-24 campaign on the third line and second power-play unit, the Quebec native likely needs to top the 20-goal and 50-point marks for this season to be a success. As of August, he remains an unsigned restricted free agent, which may impact his preparation if he doesn't ink a new deal before training camp.

The No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 draft, Lafreniere was better last season than his rookie year, but the production (19 goals, 31 points in 79 games) was still underwhelming. On a more positive note, he did play some of his best hockey of the season in the playoffs. Lafreniere spent the majority of the year on the third line and No. 2 power-play unit. He, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider are all left wings by trade, so Lafreniere is going to have to learn how to play the right side if he wants to seize a top-six role in training camp. A spot on New York's top PP unit is also open following the departure of Ryan Strome, so there's certainly a chance Lafreniere could see his production increase significantly if he can seize that role.

Lafreniere's numbers in his rookie campaign were underwhelming (12 goals, 21 in 56 games) compared to the massive expectations placed on him entering the year, but that translates to an 18-goal, 31-point pace over the course of a normal 82-game season, perfectly reasonable statistics for a 19-year-old rookie, especially when you consider he didn't post a single point on the power play. Lafreniere got better as the year progressed. He posted seven points in his final nine games and is locked and loaded for a breakout sophomore campaign in 2021-22. The trade of Pavel Buchnevich to the Blues should allow Lafreniere to move to New York's No. 1 line in addition to seeing an increase in power-play duties. Don't give up on Lafreniere yet. There's high-end upside here.

Lafreniere is a cornerstone player with the rare ability to dictate play from the wing. The first overall pick in 2020 averaged more than a point-per-game in the QMJHL when he was just 16 and was named the CHL's Player of the Year in 2019-20. Lafreniere's creativity is elite and his hockey IQ is high. He sees plays develop before his opponents do, beats them one-on-one and isn't afraid to drive the net. His hands are both lightning fast and buttery soft, and he plays hard, heavy hockey. Lafreniere's game is all but guaranteed to translate well to the NHL -- scouts have compared him to David Pastrnak. He'll be a Calder nominee -- and maybe the winner -- on the coattails of a 60-point pace this year.