NHL Rookie Notebook: Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere hitting his stride

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) and left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) celebrate after a win over the Washington Capitals. (Nick Wass/AP)

Every week throughout the 2020-21 season, we're highlighting a handful of rookie performances and milestones from around the league.

Dollar Dollar Bill Kirill

With 17 points in 20 games, Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov is leading all league rookies in assists, points and... nicknames.

Wild defenceman Matt Dumba gave his teammate the moniker "Dollar Dollar Bill Kirill," and last Friday night the whole team greeted their first-year forward wearing specially-designed T-shirts with Kaprizov's nickname and face.

The tees are made by Minnesota-based Sotastick.com, which teams up with local artists for their designs.

Minnesota has truly hit the jackpot with Kaprizov, KHL scoring champ turned Calder Trophy front-runner, who's been making highlight reel-worthy plays on a nightly basis since his arrival thanks to superb skating and dynamic playmaking.

"It was unexpected," Kaprizov told reporters earlier this week (through a translator) when asked about the custom T-shirts. "You know, I heard some of the guys were talking about potentially making a shirt, and I walked into the locker room and everyone was wearing them. Of course, it makes you feel good and a little shy even, but I liked it. It's very cool."

Blackhawks lead league in rookie appearances

The Chicago Blackhawks' youth surge is in full effect. The club has seen eight rookies hit the ice this season, which is the most of any team, and have a combined 132 rookie games played amongst the group.

For comparison: the New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings have each seen seven rookies hit the ice so far this year.

Currently sitting fourth in the Central Division standings, Chicago's rookies' success – particularly that of goaltender Kevin Lankinen and forwards Philipp Kurashev and Pius Suter – continues to be one of the biggest surprises of this shortened 2020-21 season as Chicago appears to have hit the fast-forward button on this rebuild.

Currently in a goal-scoring race with Kings forward Gabe Vilardi and Minnesota's Kaprizov, who each have six goals to their names, Suter leads all rookies in goals (seven) and is currently sitting fourth in rookie points behind Kaprizov and Senators forwards Josh Norris (15) and Tim Stützle (14).

Lankinen's 9-3-4 record and .924 save percentage has him ranked ninth among all league goalies and second among rookie netminders behind Washington Capitals hero Vitek Vanecek (10-4-3, .910).

Lafreniere's hitting his stride

Alexis Lafreniere hasn't had the easiest start to his NHL career – how can you, when you've endured the longest draft year, the shortest training camp and the strangest playing conditions, including taking your first pro hockey strides in an empty arena?

Despite solid play and plenty of promise shown throughout his first six weeks as an NHLer, the points just weren't coming. His first career point came in game No. 7 – a gorgeous goal in Buffalo – and he had to wait nine more games until his next, which came in Washington.

Turns out, all he needed was a little bit of... normalcy. The Rangers officially opened up Madison Square Garden to fans on Feb. 26, allowing 10 per cent capacity, and wouldn't you know it, Lafreniere been on a point streak ever since.

The Rangers' first game at home in front of fans brought Lafreniere's very first point on home ice. His first home goal came a few nights later against the Sabres. Lafreniere registered a point in the past four consecutive games, tallying two goals and five points in that time.

He's clearly looking a lot more comfortable out there.

"You knew the offence was there," Kreider said of Lafrenière Wednesday following the rookie's first multi-point game. "He's just a very even-keeled player. All he cares about is winning. At the end of the day, I mean, that’s infectious for our group to see that in the young guy and see that in the first-overall pick. He’s feeling it right now and you can see just how much skill he has."

New Jersey Devils coach Lindy Ruff described his game now versus previous meetings, noting a definite difference.

Islanders taking patient approach with Sorokin

He's seventh in starts among all rookie goalies, but Ilya Sorokin is currently leading the first-year field in shutouts this season.

Even with all the excitement around Sorokin joining the Islanders after several years developing in Russia, the Islanders have been patient in their approach. Veteran Semyon Varlamov has taken the bulk of the starts (17), and head coach Barry Trotz hasn't put Sorokin in net in two consecutive games yet this season. With the way he's playing of late, that could soon change.

"I think what we’re finding with Ilya — and I think you’re going to see a lot more of him — is that it’s allowed him to continue to adjust," Trotz told reporters. "He works on a piece of his game from last game. I think as you get into the real bulk of it, he’s going to take on a bigger piece of the load for Varly here. He’s had plenty of time now to adjust."

After losing his first three starts, Sorokin registered his first career NHL win with a shutout on Feb. 16. Then, in his next game on Feb. 28, he did it again. It's not just the way he's played, but the way his team has played in front of him: both shutout victories saw him face just 20 shots, and his third consecutive win (March 4) saw him face just 18 (with two pucks getting past him). Typical Islanders.

Sorokin is just the second rookie goalie in Islanders history to record a shutout in two straight games, and his shutout streak also put him in the franchise's history books.

Senators' Stützle named rookie of the month

The first of many honours for the Ottawa Senators' third-overall draft pick of 2020, Tim Stützle was named rookie of the month for February.

The power forward had two goals and four points in two games to open February, and though his scoring slowed in the first half of the month he finished strong with six points in seven games, including a three-game assist streak.

His friendship with teammate (and roommate) Brady Tkachuk has been well-documented as the Senators' core of young players continue to build chemistry.

Brady's big brother Matthew, on the other hand? That bond might take a little more time.

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