Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part II

[2014nyr]

This video is just sad lol you could compile a way more impressive one of Kravtsov’s 20 game stint. Or Hughes, Stutzle, any of the other top picks. He has underwhelmed and has not flashed anything whatsoever that looks like elite talent

i dont think this is totally fair. my guess is you're looking for plays where he just completely dominates play, walking a couple guys and a goalie etc

what he showed was a foundation. his vision is clearly elite..some of those cross ice passes were special. its one thing to see them, but watch the deception he uses to open the lane for it...thats uncommon. his shot is nasty - he has an elite release, its something he needs to start using more. i get the goals in tight don't jump off the screen but its not something to take for granted.

and going beyond the video, the last stretch last year he started to show his ability with the puck on his stick - was carrying the puck around the zone walking guys and creating with increasing frequency. we haven't seen that this year but i'd bet its coming. playing with mika/kreider hasn't been great for him so hopefully they either find a way to incorporate him or keep him w/ chytil/blais. what he's obviously still working on that will be the difference between good and elite is skating. there's definitely a big improvement this year, just hasn't been put in/putting himself in spots to get the puck where he can use it. just give him some time... no one has looked competent this year offensively so far.

 

[Synergy27]

Pretty sure he's saying it because of some article that came from some advanced stat nerds that said clutch isn't real. It is certainly real. I have the clutch gene I have scored several game tying goals with less than 10 secs left even when there were guys on my team who were legit NHL prospects; when it was all on the line for some reason it would just give me this adrenaline rush to takeover that others didn't have. There are many players like this, Buch has scored multiple tying goals with 10 seconds left in games. Matt Cooke who was a horrible player scored two game tying goals in the playoffs with IIRC 1.2 seconds left & 5.7 seconds left in each. One being in a game 7.

Nope. He was right. I’m just new to sports. I have no idea what I’m talking about.

 

[jay from jersey]

Nope. He was right. I’m just new to sports. I have no idea what I’m talking about.

Our GM was known to do that once or twice when he was a player as well.

 

[Synergy27]

Our GM was know to do that once or twice when he was a player as well.

Sure was.

 

[clmetsfan]

There are reasons we coin terms like Justin Williams Mr. Game 7, choking, and stage fright. There's no gene for it, but it isn't make believe.

The reality of the "clutch gene" is that it's really just a result of circumstance and talent rather than an innate ability to play above one's skill level when the timing is right. Pointing out some specific moments in a player's career where they came through in the clutch inevitably leaves out all the times that they didn't.

 

[will1066]

The reality of the "clutch gene" is that it's really just a result of circumstance and talent rather than an innate ability to play above one's skill level when the timing is right. Pointing out some specific moments in a player's career where they came through in the clutch inevitably leaves out all the times that they didn't.

The gene part is a fallacy, I agree with you. But you're looking at it in reverse. Being clutch is being able to play to your skill level or to your potential, not above it, in high-pressure environments. Being able to stay calm, focus on the task at hand, and not falter.

This is very real, with real areas of work and study devoted to it: Human dimensional performance, sports psychology.

 

[ORRFForever]

Goal tonight. How's he been looking in Year 2?

 

[aufheben]

I refuse to believe as Danny Briere’s postseason resume is a coincidence.

 

[haveandare]

The guy who made that Laf video went through all his game footage, not just from highlights. Because there are several nothing plays that aren't in the highlights there. Kravtsov has a lot of flashy between the legs dangles, great back checks and forechecks that I'd have access to if I accessed all the game tape. While playing on the 4th line with Howden & Rooney. Do you really think Laf looked better than Kravtsov in the NHL?

Do you honestly not? Laf has as many points this season already as Kravstov did in his NHL time.

Do you honestly think if Laf went to the AHL he’d be scoring at the same rate as someone like Kevin Rooney did?

 

[bleedblue94]

Do you honestly not? Laf has as many points this season already as Kravstov did in his NHL time.

Do you honestly think if Laf went to the AHL he’d be scoring at the same rate as someone like Kevin Rooney did?

I think the question is does he really stand out? Does he do something each game where you see a glimpse of greatness or elite skill? Does he drive and elevate others at all w his play? Does he make plays that wow you, ever? No one is saying he has to be a superstar right now, but most players that eventually become stars normally show flashes before they find the consistency. With laf it just seems like he is a guy that is a solid complimentary player that usually produces most of his goals and points off great setups by others.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Lol acting as if tonight’s goal was a layup is just peak reaching.

that puck had to go exactly where it did because Mezlerkins got over and actually covered the net pretty well, not to mention he got that whole sequence started by creating the TO in the NZ.

 

[bleedblue94]

Lol acting as if tonight’s goal was a layup is just peak reaching.

that puck had to go exactly where it did because Mezlerkins got over and actually covered the net pretty well, not to mention he got that whole sequence started by creating the TO in the NZ.

I didn't say it was a layup, but you're telling me that was a special play? NHL players can make a one time shot and most can make a quality one time shot. Adam fox made that entire goal.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I didn't say it was a layup, but you're telling me that was a special play? NHL players can make a one time shot and most can make a quality one time shot. Adam fox made that entire goal.

The entire sequence is what you want.

I know flashy dangles look good, but they rarely happen, even less so when games become tighter.

Generating a TO and then throwing a puck in really the only spot where it can go in order for there to be a goal? Yeah thats a pretty f***ing quality play.

 

[bleedblue94]

The entire sequence is what you want.

I know flashy dangles look good, but they rarely happen, even less so when games become tighter.

Generating a TO and then throwing a puck in really the only spot where it can go in order for there to be a goal? Yeah thats a pretty f***ing quality play.

Come on, if fox doesn't make the goal than you're not here trying to talk up a play that other make during games as well. The difference is that a Norris caliber d man didn't pickup and create a dunk shot for someone off said play. Exactly as I said in the post: With laf it just seems like he is a guy that is a solid complimentary player that usually produces most of his goals and points off great setups by others.

 

[Crease]

Laf has a knack for finishing. It’s a skill. So many times pucks will hop over a player’s stick or they will whiff, etc. Laf finishes. He has hands of gold.

 

[nyr2k2]

Laf has a knack for finishing. It’s a skill. So many times pucks will hop over a player’s stick or they will whiff, etc. Laf finishes. He had hands of gold.

Yeah, it's also visible in how skilled he is at knocking pucks out of the air. He does it basically every game where he knocks a puck out of midair and turns it into something. Great hands and excellent hand-eye coordination.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

3 goals in 8 games. Not bad not bad. I want to see him get involved more. He looked solid today, was physical.

I love that even though Alexis isn’t performing like what we’d expect a #1 would be. But you know he will break out eventually. His floor is a second liner that can score 25-30 a year. And that’s what he is right now. I’m excited to see who he is in a few years!

 

[Unpredictable1]

Laf has a knack for finishing. It’s a skill. So many times pucks will hop over a player’s stick or they will whiff, etc. Laf finishes. He had hands of gold.

That's a great point considering the amount of game winning goals he has in his young career. Is there a stat junky for that one on here?

 

[huerter]

#Kneedown

 

[savebyrichter94]

Let this kid run wild on his own line with solid support players and he’ll start to take off. He has much more jump in his step and is moving all over the ice when he’s not thinking about deferring to star/veteran players.

He looked a lot more decisive and assertive like he did at the WJC. He’s not fully there yet but I saw a lot more flashes of that player last night and hopefully it’s just the beginning!

Once he gets on a roll and the confidence in himself at this level rises then you can think about putting him with guys like Bread and Mika but he needs time to grow his game without them in my opinion.

 

[Jauffre]

Let this kid run wild on his own line with solid support players and he’ll start to take off. He has much more jump in his step and is moving all over the ice when he’s not thinking about deferring to star/veteran players.

He looked a lot more decisive and assertive like he did at the WJC. He’s not fully there yet but I saw a lot more flashes of that player last night and hopefully it’s just the beginning!

Once he gets on a roll and the confidence in himself at this level rises then you can think about putting him with guys like Bread and Mika but he needs time to grow his game without them in my opinion.

Been thinking this as well. He obviously has a ton of respect for the vets and absolutely defers to them as you said. Keep him away from Zibanejad for a long time. Let him go crazy with Chytil, let him control the pace, and actually skate with the puck. The confidence will come and so will the scoring chances. He has the talent and the balls to own the ice, just let him do it.

 

[Chytilmania]

Laf has a knack for finishing. It’s a skill. So many times pucks will hop over a player’s stick or they will whiff, etc. Laf finishes. He had hands of gold.

Yes

The only other players on the team who routinely finish that in prior years are Strome, Panarin, Zib.

 

[The S5]

Is Laf everything we fans hoped for when we got the pick, absolutely not. The good news is that he isn't Yakupov either. He is in the group of #1 over the last 10 years or so, who don't step in and make a huge splash, but need time to mature and develop.
He absolutely has the ability to be a great player. It's going to be up to him to do the work.

 

[jay from jersey]

That's a great point considering the amount of game winning goals he has in his young career. Is there a stat junky for that one on here?

It’s so true. We take it for granted. But how many times have we seen players miss wide open nets on amazing passes or Rebounds??
Chytil was notorious for this. Many others as well. The puck could be served up on a Tee and he’ll hit the crossbar or shoot it over the net or something

 

[TheBPA]

Laf has to be attacking the net at the right time to score that goal. Timing and awareness are arguably the most important skills a forward could have.

He also made a nice play and shot on the 2 on 1 later in the game that easily could have been a goal.

Not every player needs to stick handle (sorry, dangle) like McDavid or Marner or MacKinnon in order to be a star.

Gretzky’s greatest skill was seeing the ice better than everyone and always being in the right place at the right time. But smh, where are the dangles?! Show some skill ffs!!