Lafreniere was said to be the best since Matthews.
No doubt he's not Crosby or Ovechkin level but something is off when Kakko and Lafreniere, both billed as more NHL ready than the average bear, are struggling to show up on the stat sheet consistently.
Yeah it's just three games but Svechnikov averaged 0.45 ppg his rookie year. Hischier averaged 0.63. Laine averaged 0.88. Eichel averaged 0.69. Mackinnon averaged 0.77. RNH averaged 0.55. Huberdeau averaged 0.65. Taylor Hall averaged 0.65.
Kakko was 0.35 and so far Lafreniere has a goose egg. He doesn't look like he's about to put up in excess of a half a point per game which would really be my expectation.
Yes Seguin and Barkov are lower outliers but what, we just happen to nab two of the only not NHL ready to contribute players picked in the top 2 in the last decade or so?
Something smells. And I suspect it's their usage or instruction.