Why Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere must always face this uncomfortable reality
Danny Wild-Imagn Images There’s an uncomfortable reality for Alexis Lafreniere that comes with him being a former No. 1 overall draft pick by the New York Rangers. And that reared its ugly side again Wednesday, when the most recent first overall pick in the NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer of the Islanders, was named the 2025-26 Calder Trophy winner as the League’s rookie of the year.
That’s just the latest example of how Lafreniere doesn’t measure up to others also selected with the top overall pick in the NHL Draft. To rub salt in the open wound, Schaefer placed first on every ballot in the voting, the first unanimous Calder winner in 33 years, since Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne in 1992-93. Oh, and Schaefer, who has all the makings of a generational talent, and plays for the Rangers biggest rival, its home arena just 19 miles or so from Madison Square Garden.
Wonderful presentation for Matthew Schaefer winning the Calder Trophy. #Isles pic. twitter.
com/fDLOUVJPYv — SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) May 13, 2026 Meanwhile, Macklin Celebrini, the top pick in the 2024 draft by the San Jose Sharks, was named team captain for Canada at the 2026 World Championships. This after he completed a 115-point season and is a finalist for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. Celebrini is 19 years old.
Or one year older than Schaefer. Another generational talent. Then there’s Jack Hughes (2019 first overall) scoring the Golden Goal for the United States at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, to go along with five straight NHL seasons of at least 26 goals, including 43 in 2022-23.