Rangers place forward Alexis Lafreniere in COVID protocol

New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere is now in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, according to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen. Forward Lauri Pajuniemi is now on the active roster, being recalled from the taxi squad on Thursday.

Lafreniere continues to struggle to work his way out of a depth role on this Rangers team, but he has 11 points through 37 games this season. Anthony Greco will draw into the lineup for his first game of the season.

Assuming Lafreniere is subject to the five-day quarantine, he’ll miss only two games and be ready for the January 19 game against Toronto.

He’s the fourth Ranger to enter COVID protocol this week. Forwards Julien Gauthier, Barclay Goodrow and Ryan Reaves were put on the list earlier in the week.