With rare exceptions, NHL players are far from being the finished product at the age of 18. 

While player peaks and primes generally occur earlier than previously believed (early to mid-twenties), even the most highly regarded players have much to learn in the initial years of their careers. Consider Jack Hughes, initially dismissed as a bust by many after a challenging 2019-20 campaign, only to be hailed as a superstar just a few years later.

For Alexis Lafrenière, recognized as an undeniable prospect leading up to the 2020 draft and selected by the New York Rangers—a contending team in a major market—scrutiny has been intense and consistent throughout his first four NHL seasons. On one hand, the Rangers' wing talent posed challenges to the typical opportunities granted to 1st overall picks