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

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Actually Brindamor and Chelios really started that revolution. I remember guys saying that if anyone could ever play a 60 minute shift it was Chelios. The day after the Red Wings won the cup Chilly was running the stairs in the arena. Absolute madman!

I mean take a look at Howe shirtless in the 60s. That was a man’s man.

 

[Rockets17]

I mean take a look at Howe shirtless in the 60s. That was a man’s man.

No doubt Howe was a bull of a man. Kinda fits the mold of old NFL linebackers like Butkus and Lambert. Not sure the cardio and overall fitness was on the same level as Chelios or Brind'amour. The story I heard was that Brind'amour basically willed his way into a HOF career. He outworked everyone and was one of the fittest players to ever play in the NHL. He handled Lindros in a fight while they were teammates Philly after Eric had slept with Brind'amour wife. That kinda forced Philly to trade him away.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

No doubt Howe was a bull of a man. Kinda fits the mold of old NFL linebackers like Butkus and Lambert. Not sure the cardio and overall fitness was on the same level as Chelios or Brind'amour. The story I heard was that Brind'amour basically willed his way into a HOF career. He outworked everyone and was one of the fittest players to ever play in the NHL. He handled Lindros in a fight while they were teammates Philly after Eric had slept with Brind'amour wife. That kinda forced Philly to trade him away.

To be fair, if I were Brind'amour's wife I'd rather sleep with a guy that had Lindros's mug than Brind'amour's too. Sorry I know I didn't add much to this conversation.

 

[Rockets17]

To be fair, if I were Brind'amour's wife I'd rather sleep with a guy that had Lindros's mug than Brind'amour's too. Sorry I know I didn't add much to this conversation.

LOL - don't know how that all worked out in the end. The trade never made sense - Primeau was a very good player but he wasn't Brind'amour. I think most Philly fans will tell you they hated this trade. Looking back Philly should have moved Lindros and kept Brind'amour. Carolina doesn't win that Cup without Rod Brind'amour!

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I feel like everyone loved the Jets because they were big and skilled but they haven't amounted to much. Not the reason they haven't amounted to much was their size and skill.

I mean thats one example, but it is crazy just how quickly its fallen apart for them.

OTOH, Winnipeg didn't have the star power the Rangers have. Leaving Lafreniere out of the convo since he hasn't played a game yet, but they've never had a Panarin level player on that team.

A year from now, we may be looking at Zibanejad as the 3rd or 4th best skater on our team.

 

[aufheben]

Sounds about right, he was trending at about 200 heading into the draft and most people close to him said his height was closer to 6’2 even then (some of the popular measurements for prospects are now more than a year old).

He’ll almost certainly play closer to about 6’2, 210 when all is said and done. I honestly don’t think his physical conditions and strength have gotten nearly enough attention.

This guy is going to have serious strength to back up those skills. It’s not a pretty picture for opposing teams.

He sounds mature beyond his years and completely focused. This kid has an elite mentality to go with the skill. Everything he says and does off the ice is just the right thing. He’s going to be captain eventually.

 

[Edge]

He sounds mature beyond his years and completely focused. This kid has an elite mentality to go with the skill.

He wants to the best and he wants to win.

It is not just the skill with Lafreniere, its the personality and mindset that sets him apart.

 

[Edge]

Sounds a lot like Mark Messier

That's a lot of who I see, while trying to be very cautious about floating that around out there.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

That's a lot of who I see, while trying to be very cautious about floating that around out there.

Don't want him pressuring our GM into trading Fox and Kakko for not getting along with him

 

[Rockets17]

He wants to the best and he wants to win.

It is not just the skill with Lafreniere, its the personality and mindset that sets him apart.

I hope that's the case. That mindset is very contagious - especially with all the youngsters the Rangers have. If guys like Lindgren, Miller, Kakko and others buy into that mindset you will have a really stong core in a couple of years. Exciting times to be a Rangers fan!

 

[Rockets17]

Don't want him pressuring our GM into trading Fox and Kakko for not getting along with him

I don't believe that Mess was wrong on Nedved. I think the best thing that could have happened to Nedved was going to Pittsburgh and seeing how hard Jagr always worked. Jagr was another guy who always put in the hours to be in top shape. Nedved was a different player on his 2nd stint with us.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I don't believe that Mess was wrong on Nedved. I think the best thing that could have happened to Nedved was going to Pittsburgh and seeing how hard Jagr always worked. Jagr was another guy who always put in the hours to be in top shape. Nedved was a different player on his 2nd stint with us.

What about the other guy?

 

[Rockets17]

What about the other guy?

I believe you are referring to Zubov - Mess was absolutely wrong. Zubov was a great player and a warrior. Too bad Mess didn't see that cause he was more like Mess then he was given credit for. Zubov took hits to make plays and played as physical as his frame would allow him too. An excellent hockey player!

 

[Edge]

What about the other guy?

Zubov sealed his own fate with the smoking, conditioning, the panic attacks, the questionable injuries and losing the trust of his teammates.

That’s also what got him shipped out of Pittsburgh a year later. It’s also what nearly got him shipped out of Dallas in 96 as well.

Fortunately, after managing to piss off Messier, Lemieux, Francis, Nieuwendyk and three coaches in a little under 18 months, the light bulb went off for him.

 

[Rockets17]

Zubov sealed his own fate with the smoking, conditioning, the panic attacks, and losing the trust of his teammates.

That’s also what got him shipped out of Pittsburgh a year later. It’s also what nearly got him shipped out of Dallas in 96 as well.

Fortunately, after managing to piss off Messier, Lemieux, Francis, Nieuwendyk and three coaches in a little under 18 months, the light bulb went off for him.

I didn't know all of that, although I had heard I few of those stories. Still would have loved to have seen him in a Rangers sweater for all of his career. Then again if the other stuff didn't happen and the light bulb never went off he may never had reached the level he did later in Dallas. Thanks for the info!

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Zubov sealed his own fate with the smoking, conditioning, the panic attacks, the questionable injuries and losing the trust of his teammates.

That’s also what got him shipped out of Pittsburgh a year later. It’s also what nearly got him shipped out of Dallas in 96 as well.

Fortunately, after managing to piss off Messier, Lemieux, Francis, Nieuwendyk and three coaches in a little under 18 months, the light bulb went off for him.

No idea that these were an issue for him.

Glad he got his shit under control though.

 

[Edge]

I didn't know all of that, although I had heard I few of those stories. Still would have loved to have seen him in a Rangers sweater for all of his career. Then again if the other stuff didn't happen and the light bulb never went off he may never had reached the level he did later in Dallas. Thanks for the info!

Zubov was incredibly talented. But something really went off the rails in that lockout season and it took him a good three years to get back on track.

To his credit, he not only turned it around, he put together a near HOF-worthy career. So he deserves credit for that.

But if anyone wants a slight glimpse into the state of Zubov in 95 (how far he fell from 94 and why he had to climb back the way he did), check out a book called Losing The Edge.

And read it knowing that what was printed about Zubov was only the tip of the iceberg. Zubov was effectively done as a Ranger when he kept telling his coaches he wasn’t feeling good enough to play, and went out partying by until dawn while his banged up teammates kept going.

There were similar reports in Pittsburgh.

The guy who finally got through to him? Guy Carbonneau in Dallas.

 

[Edge]

No idea that these were an issue for him.

Glad he got his shit under control though.

Unfortunately the mental health issues were a taboo subject at that time. What didn’t help Zubov was the reputation he earned as a quitter. That is what sunk him with his teammates.

There’s this popular belief that Messier ran him out of town. But the two most damning strikes again him at the time supposedly came from Kevin Lowe and Brian Leetch.

At one point, Steve Larmer (whose career was coming to a close at 33/34 due to back problems) threatened to shove his stick up Zubov’s ass if he didn’t stop bellyaching.

Larmer, who didn’t take any shit, but was no means a tough guy, was pissed that he was still going out there with a failing back, along with Graves and his recovery from surgery, and here was a physically healthy 25 year old all-star talent who couldn’t be bothered to hit a gym, and yet was always claiming to be hurt.

There was a game where it really came to a head, and it escapes me now. I swear someone mentioned it during a similar conversation about Zubov a while back. Needless to say that was when Cubic was effectively done as a Ranger.

 

[Edge]

I love that our young fwds are not just super skilled but are all absolute units as well. You can't win with a team full of midgets in this league.

I think this is almost easy to forget. We have some big boys, and they aren't pylons either.

Lafreniere is heading toward 6'2, 210 territory. His fellow first round classmate Schneider around 6'2, 215. Kakko should play at 6'2/6'3, 215ish. Chytil is 6'2, 210ish. Miller will play at 6'5, 220-225. Robertson 6'4, 220ish. A guy like Cuylle will be in the 6'3, 215 range if he pans out.

Then you have guys like Zibanejad and Kreider on the roster. Obviously they have size and strength to go with the skills.

This could be a very heavy and a very mobile team to play against in pretty short order.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I think this is almost easy to forget. We have some big boys, and they aren't pylons either.

Lafreniere is heading toward 6'2, 210 territory. His fellow first round classmate Schneider around 6'2, 215. Kakko should play at 6'2/6'3, 215ish. Chytil is 6'2, 210ish. Miller will play at 6'5, 220-225. Robertson 6'4, 220ish. A guy like Cuylle will be in the 6'3, 215 range if he pans out.

Then you have guys like Zibanejad and Kreider on the roster. Obviously they have size and strength to go with the skills.

This could be a very heavy and a very mobile team to play against in pretty short order.

Don't forget 6'4" Kravtsov. And he's no Lucic. Very skilled and silky.

 

[Edge]

Don't forget 6'4" Kravtsov. And he's no Lucic. Very skilled and silky.

And there's another one. Not a physical specimen by any stretch, but still someone who could be in the 6'4, 200+ range.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think this is almost easy to forget. We have some big boys, and they aren't pylons either.

Lafreniere is heading toward 6'2, 210 territory. His fellow first round classmate Schneider around 6'2, 215. Kakko should play at 6'2/6'3, 215ish. Chytil is 6'2, 210ish. Miller will play at 6'5, 220-225. Robertson 6'4, 220ish. A guy like Cuylle will be in the 6'3, 215 range if he pans out.

Then you have guys like Zibanejad and Kreider on the roster. Obviously they have size and strength to go with the skills.

This could be a very heavy and a very mobile team to play against in pretty short order.

Barron is a big dude as well.

 

[Edge]

Barron is a big dude as well.

And there's another example. He's in that 6'2, 210-215 range.

Assorted others guys of various roles and futures as well - Lemieux is 6'1,215; he'll even Howden hovers around 6'3, 200.

We can dig deep and pull names like Rempe, Skinner, Edstrom, Gettinger and Rueschhoff. Even the long shots have some mass working for them.

 

[NYR94]

Zubov was incredibly talented. But something really went off the rails in that lockout season and it took him a good three years to get back on track.

To his credit, he not only turned it around, he put together a near HOF-worthy career. So he deserves credit for that.

But if anyone wants a slight glimpse into the state of Zubov in 95 (how far he fell from 94 and why he had to climb back the way he did), check out a book called Losing The Edge.

And read it knowing that what was printed about Zubov was only the tip of the iceberg. Zubov was effectively done as a Ranger when he kept telling his coaches he wasn’t feeling good enough to play, and went out partying by until dawn while his banged up teammates kept going.

There were similar reports in Pittsburgh.

The guy who finally got through to him? Guy Carbonneau in Dallas.

Interesting. As I was reading your posts about how he had issues even in Dallas I was trying to figure out who the Stars brought in after his first season to whip him into shape but Hitchcock was already the coach by the time Zubov got there but Carbonneau was too. I guess it just took time to get through to him. It definitely worked--Zubov averaged more than 30 minutes a game during the 99 playoffs when Dallas won the Cup.

 

[Edge]

Interesting. As I was reading your posts about how he had issues even in Dallas I was trying to figure out who the Stars brought in after his first season to whip him into shape but Hitchcock was already the coach by the time Zubov got there but Carbonneau was too. I guess it just took time to get through to him. It definitely worked--Zubov averaged more than 30 minutes a game during the 99 playoffs when Dallas won the Cup.

He turned himself into a more complete player, got his conditioning where it needed to be, and became the player that most people now remember.

Some guys get it a little later. Some guys never get it. We see that even now on our own roster. Zibanejad and ADA are examples of guys who put the pieces in the right place and reaped the rewards with their second and third organization respectively.