Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Draft 1st Overall Pick, Alexis Lafreniere, LW

[broadwayblue]

Basically, the season would need to start January 15 to fit in a 48 game schedule plus playoffs before the Summer Olympics. The Summer Olympics matters because of NBC.

Seems like a deal needs to be done pretty quickly to have any legitimate shot at a 1/15 start. That's less than 7 weeks away. Figure at least three weeks of camp and a little over a week for preseason games...that gives them about two two three weeks to get their shit together.

 

[Richard Banger]

How are those two circumstances anywhere near similar? Kakko was playing competitive hockey for over a year with barely a break, Laf hasn't played competitive hockey since March. He needs more of a break to recover from what exactly?

He’s only 19. And he’ already been worked like a damn mule.

he needs an off-season because they played him so much this previous year.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He’s only 19. And he’ already been worked like a damn mule.

he needs an off-season because they played him so much this previous year.

He's had 8 months already

 

[The Crypto Guy]

He’s only 19. And he’ already been worked like a damn mule.

he needs an off-season because they played him so much this previous year.

Where has he been playing the last 8 months that he has been worked like a mule?

 

[Richard Banger]

Where has he been playing the last 8 months that he has been worked like a mule?

Just because isn’t playing Ice hockey doesn’t mean he’s taking it easy. I can Guarantee you he has been working his ass off post and pre draft. Unlike Kakko he gets the much needed time to focus on his body progression.

it’s pretty lol worthy if you think professional athletes are just taking it easy in the off-season.

that’s not even factoring in the insane competitiveness of Laf. I’ve seen players like him on a day to day basis. They are the Definition on no days off.

The time spent away from hockey will help Laf immensely.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Just because isn’t playing Ice hockey doesn’t mean he’s taking it easy. I can Guarantee you he has been working his ass off post and pre draft. Unlike Kakko he gets the much needed time to focus on his body progression.

it’s pretty lol worthy if you think professional athletes are just taking it easy in the off-season.

that’s not even factoring in the insane competitiveness of Laf. I’ve seen players like him on a day to day basis. They are the Definition on no days off.

The time spent away from hockey will help Laf immensely.

Um..yes, that is what all professional athletes are doing. And guess what he is going to be doing if he isnt playing 3 weeks of hockey at the WCJS..he's going to be still working out and pushing himself. You just said he is super competitive so what do you think he is going to do, take 3 weeks off and relax on the couch if he doesn't play in the WJCs? His time away from hockey will help him? He is going 8 months without competitive hockey.

Your logic makes absolutely zero sense and is pretty lol worthy.

 

[Richard Banger]

Um..yes, that is what all professional athletes are doing. And guess what he is going to be doing if he isnt playing 3 weeks of hockey at the WCJS..he going to be still working out. You just said he is super competitive so what do you think he is going to do, take 3 weeks off and relax on the couch if he doesn't play in the WJCs? His time away from hockey will help him? He is going 8 months without competitive hockey. Your logic makes absolutely zero sense and is pretty lol worthy.

You asked where he’s been these last 8 months. Most players hardest workout year is before they play their first professional game. NFL NHL NBA. All the same. I understand stand that the NHL is different than the NFL in some ways but there is a solid argument that it’s is far more valuable of a player to focus on their progression than to play the sport at a level below what you are going to be playing at.

In Laf case it would hurt him to go and play in a tournament that he has already dominated in. It will provide zero effect to his progression and could possibly become a step backwards for his progression. The next game he’ll play will be a professional one and rightfully so.


Another thing to remember is he is taking a step into another league. Him playing in a junior tournament will not help him taking the next step into the NHL. It’s not like shaking the rust off because he’s not going back to what junior hockey is. He’s going to the f***ing NHL. Where hockey is faster and stronger. Playing junior tournament won’t help.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

You asked where he’s been these last 8 months. Most players hardest workout year is before they play their first professional game. NFL NHL NBA. All the same. I understand stand that the NHL is different than the NFL in some ways but there is a solid argument that it’s is far more valuable of a player to focus on their progression than to play the sport at a level below what you are going to be playing at.

In Laf case it would hurt him to go and play in a tournament that he has already dominated in. It will provide zero effect to his progression and could possibly become a step backwards for his progression. The next game he’ll play will be a professional one and rightfully so.

Ok this argument I can see, I just really wasn't understanding initial argument about him needing more time to rest after playing so much hockey last year.

 

[Richard Banger]

Ok this argument I can see, I just really wasn't understanding initial argument about him needing more time to rest after playing so much hockey last year.

Him playing in the tournament would only distract him.

but the argument for him playing too much hockey can effect his mental part of the game. We’ve seen it happen to pros. They just hit a wall and are a shadow of themselves.

I like that he has been able to take this off-season and focus on being a ranger and a professional. I think that this will be good for his development. He is our future captain after all


Plus this is our first ever 1 overall pick. I have no issue coddling him lol.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

K'Andre living with Laf, but remembering that giveaway at the WJC:

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

That neck tho

 

[The Crypto Guy]

K'Andre living with Laf, but remembering that giveaway at the WJC:

Oh wow, had no idea Laf has been living with Miller and his family. Pretty awesome of Miller to invite him into his home and it will be great the two will have a strong bond both going into their first training camps together.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Oh wow, had no idea Laf has been living with Miller and his family. Pretty awesome of Miller to invite him into his home and it will be great the two will have a strong bond both going into their first training camps together.

Miller's billet family. I'm sure the Rangers arranged that.

They put Kravtsov and Rykov together last year for instance

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Miller's billet family. I'm sure the Rangers arranged that.

They put Kravtsov and Rykov together last year for instance

Maybe, but Miller seems like the guy that would just offer it straight up to him. He seems to go out of his way to create strong bonds with other young players (Kravtsov last summer).

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Is Miller's family a billet family though? Miller never played in Juniors so I doubt they have been housing players from Junior hockey. No real reason for Laf to need it either, he speaks the language and i'm sure would have no problem finding somewhere else to stay if he didn't want to stay at his own house in Canada. Feel like it's more likely Miller reached out to Laf (maybe Ranger's said it would be a good idea? But I don't think the Ranger's would want to force something like that on the Miller family).

Kravtsov and Rykov makes more sense for the Ranger's to get involved since they both don't know English well.

The Rangers house all their prospects for the first year. Not only overseas players.

 

[Mikos87]

Kappo has had plenty of dryland training time. Wonder if he comes in with an additional 10-15 lbs of rock on him. Should help his game tremendously.

 

[CaptTennille]

Maybe, but Miller seems like the guy that would just offer it straight up to him. He seems to go out of his way to create strong bonds with other young players (Kravtsov last summer).

Miller's family lives in Minnesota. I'm pretty sure the Rangers have had an arrangement with the same billet family for a few seasons now (they live close to the training center and have an outdoor rink in their backyard). You are correct about Miller going out of his way to forge bonds with his future teammates, though. I vaguely remember reading quotes from Kravtsov, Zac Jones, Nils and a few others that were very complimentary of Miller's friendliness. Considering the future of this team will have players from across the globe, it's important that you have extroverted guys (Miller, Laff, Kravtsov) who can get along with everyone and seem to go out of their way to include the more lowkey guys (Nils, Kakko)

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Miller's family lives in Minnesota. I'm pretty sure the Rangers have had an arrangement with the same billet family for a few seasons now (they live close to the training center and have an outdoor rink in their backyard). You are correct about Miller going out of his way to forge bonds with his future teammates, though. I vaguely remember reading quotes from Kravtsov, Zac Jones, Nils and a few others that were very complimentary of Miller's friendliness. Considering the future of this team will have players from across the globe, it's important that you have extroverted guys (Miller, Laff, Kravtsov) who can get along with everyone and seem to go out of their way to include the more lowkey guys (Nils, Kakko)

Lundkvist is more extroverted than Kravtsov FWIW. But yes, everything else here is true. Rangers have several billet families mostly in based Connecticut

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Despite how old of a franchise the Rangers are, it's really unfortunate there isn't much winning history. Seeing things like Gretzky's jersey when he was a Ranger in the twilight of his career just makes me ask if that's the best they got.

The Rangers need to start really winning. Get some Cups. I want pictures and memorabilia of Laf in there for the next generation.

 

[Inferno]

Despite how old of a franchise the Rangers are, it's really unfortunate there isn't much winning history. Seeing things like Gretzky's jersey when he was a Ranger in the twilight of his career just makes me ask if that's the best they got.

The Rangers need to start really winning. Get some Cups. I want pictures and memorabilia of Laf in there for the next generation.

I mean...were talking about the greatest player in the history of the game who finished his career in your jersey...why wouldn't you make that front and center?

I bet the chiefs have something from Joe montana in their facility.

 

[MysticLeviathan]

I mean...were talking about the greatest player in the history of the game who finished his career in your jersey...why wouldn't you make that front and center?

I bet the chiefs have something from Joe montana in their facility.

It’s really not something to put front and center. 95% of his greatness wasn’t with us. His situatuon is the sports equivalent of sloppy seconds. If the Chiefs have something from Joe Montana, it should be incredibly minor and something to accompany the great things about the organization, not a center piece. It shows a lack of things to be proud of. I mean I doubt the Yankees are making a big exhibit on Ichiro, despite his being one of the absolute greats of all time and a top 3 player in his era.

 

[aufheben]

K'Andre living with Laf, but remembering that giveaway at the WJC:

A sad history, but it’s there I suppose.

 

[Inferno]

It’s really not something to put front and center. 95% of his greatness wasn’t with us. His situatuon is the sports equivalent of sloppy seconds. If the Chiefs have something from Joe Montana, it should be incredibly minor and something to accompany the great things about the organization, not a center piece. It shows a lack of things to be proud of. I mean I doubt the Yankees are making a big exhibit on Ichiro, despite his being one of the absolute greats of all time and a top 3 player in his era.

Wayne gretzky was with us for 3 years and led our team in scoring each of those years.

He's the best player to ever play the game. He retired in our uniform.

Complaining about this seems like just finding something to complain about.

If they had a monument to aaron voros i.might agree with you. This is Wayne friggin gretzky.

I own 2 name and numbered jerseys by the rangers. Mark messier and wayne gretzky.

 

[Peltz]

Basically, the season would need to start January 15 to fit in a 48 game schedule plus playoffs before the Summer Olympics. The Summer Olympics matters because of NBC.

It wouldn't be possible to air both though? Sounds like it only benefits NBC to have that many events to cover.

Edit: Genuinely asking, I don't know much about how the networks function.

 

[Chytilmania]

You asked where he’s been these last 8 months. Most players hardest workout year is before they play their first professional game. NFL NHL NBA. All the same. I understand stand that the NHL is different than the NFL in some ways but there is a solid argument that it’s is far more valuable of a player to focus on their progression than to play the sport at a level below what you are going to be playing at.

In Laf case it would hurt him to go and play in a tournament that he has already dominated in. It will provide zero effect to his progression and could possibly become a step backwards for his progression. The next game he’ll play will be a professional one and rightfully so.


Another thing to remember is he is taking a step into another league. Him playing in a junior tournament will not help him taking the next step into the NHL. It’s not like shaking the rust off because he’s not going back to what junior hockey is. He’s going to the f***ing NHL. Where hockey is faster and stronger. Playing junior tournament won’t help.

What some people don't understand is when you have elite talent like Laf, he doesn't need to work on his on ice work. He will naturally get that in practice. Yes he can do some skills work but that should never be the bulk of his training. Laf will be working on getting bigger, stronger and faster through weight training. Playing in the junior tournament would maybe help with conditioning and shaking off rust that's about it. But at the same time that can be achieved practicing with the Rangers. Off ice training and working with the NHL club is what he currently needs.