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Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part II

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Kid just turned 20 and as a wing has 15 goals in 66 career games. On pace for 25 goals this season. Two of their six wins are because of him.

Have to remain patient. This kid dominated U20 comp since he was 16. It’ll balance out. If it takes three more years, let it take three years. People get too hung on where he was picked. Couturier is a great example. High pick but Slow rookie year, horrid sophomore year, then four 30-point seasons in a row and injuries. Why? Partly because the Flyers already had Giroux and Voracek and Simmonds and Schenn. They trade Schenn and presto, Couturier is 26 and a stud 70-point player. Go ask Flyers fans and they’ll tell you how often Couturier was moved all over the lineup.

Rangers had a deadly top-six last year and all were veterans.
 
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Steve Kournianos said:
Kid just turned 20 and as a wing has 15 goals in 66 career games. On pace for 25 goals this season. Two of their six wins are because of him.

Have to remain patient. This kid dominated U20 comp since he was 16. It’ll balance out. If it takes three more years, let it take three years. People get too hung on where he was picked. Couturier is a great example. High pick but Slow rookie year, horrid sophomore year, then four 30-point seasons in a row and injuries. Why? Partly because the Flyers already had Giroux and Voracek and Simmonds and Schenn. They trade Schenn and presto, Couturier is 26 and a stud 70-point player. Go ask Flyers fans and they’ll tell you how often Couturier was moved all over the lineup.

Rangers had a deadly top-six last year and all were veterans.
Click to expand...

Whats your take on Kakko?
 
Steve Kournianos said:
Kid just turned 20 and as a wing has 15 goals in 66 career games. On pace for 25 goals this season. Two of their six wins are because of him.

Have to remain patient. This kid dominated U20 comp since he was 16. It’ll balance out. If it takes three more years, let it take three years. People get too hung on where he was picked. Couturier is a great example. High pick but Slow rookie year, horrid sophomore year, then four 30-point seasons in a row and injuries. Why? Partly because the Flyers already had Giroux and Voracek and Simmonds and Schenn. They trade Schenn and presto, Couturier is 26 and a stud 70-point player. Go ask Flyers fans and they’ll tell you how often Couturier was moved all over the lineup.

Rangers had a deadly top-six last year and all were veterans.
Click to expand...
God I was this close to just rage quitting hf forever when reading this entire thrad and luckily came across this sane take which calmed me down...

Thank you @Steve Kournianos
 
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mas0764 said:
Whats your take on Kakko?
Click to expand...
I know you didn't ask me, specifically, but I think Kakko does a lot of good things while on the ice, and the analytics back that up. Based on the eye test, you can tell the kid is going to be a possession monster, and already has games where that is evident. He carries and protect the puck well and could eventually be elite in that category if he continues to get stronger. And he's highly responsible in his own zone and really adds value there. I could see him killing penalties very effectively.

I think, however, he does not have an elite shot, and is not an elite passer. He has beautiful hands when carrying the puck, and dazzle you on a breakaway, but those hands don't translate to being adept at deflecting shots like a Kreider type of player (although that could change). And he's not the type of guy who is crafty enough to fake out the defense and deliver a cross ice pass for a one-timer to Panarin (aka he's no Adam Fox).

Unless he's on an odd man rush (where, by the way, Kakko actually has been excellent), Kakko's sweet spot in the offensive zone is when cycling down low, below the right faceoff dot. He plays a "big boy" game where he's protecting the puck with his body and making short passes to those either in the slot or to a center behind the net.

Playing with Strome and Panarin just feels all wrong for him. Those two players - Panarin especially - are puck carriers who look for cross ice passes, and like to snipe their goals. Panarin always enters the zone carrying the puck, and sets up high on the top right circle, waiting for linemates to stream in late and with separation from the defense.

For whatever reason, that's just not Kakko's game, and I don't like how Gallant keeps that line together. I understand you had guys like Fast and Blackwell in that line, so you'd think that Kakko would gel as well.

But I see Kakko succeeding more with some grinders. I actually would put him back with Chytil and Laf, then bump Blais up to Panarin/Strome.

Either that, or see what he does with Mika and Kreider. He's gotta be better than Goodrow on that line.

Overall, I really do like Kakko's game. I think he's the more exciting prospect of our two lottery win picks (Laf and Kakko). But I think he's going to continue suffering playing with guys who make "fancy" plays like Panaring and Strome. Kakko needs to be on a line that scores ugly goals and tires out their opponent with extended O-zone pressure.
 
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mas0764 said:
Whats your take on Kakko?
Click to expand...

Same. Patience. Hypothetically, if the Rangers were the 2020 Red Wings and were forced to play him 19+ a game on a top line because the team was putrid and they literally had nobody else, then Kakko at 21 is giving us a 20-20-40 season at worst and fans would be giddy.

I’m waiting at least two more years. He has never played a full 82. That AL-Chytil-Kakko line was so good late last season. That was enough for me to be patient
 
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I dont care about ice time, linemates, what situations he's used, etc....can someone fix the way this youngster holds his stick? The face of his blade is basically parallel to the ice. At least a couple times a game he'll go to move the puck (if he even gets near it) and he'll saw it in half. He's like me around the putting green. What in the hell?
 
Steve Kournianos said:
Same. Patience. Hypothetically, if the Rangers were the 2020 Red Wings and were forced to play him 19+ a game on a top line because the team was putrid and they literally had nobody else, then Kakko at 21 is giving us a 20-20-40 season at worst and fans would be giddy.

I’m waiting at least two more years. He has never played a full 82. That AL-Chytil-Kakko line was so good late last season. That was enough for me to be patient
Click to expand...
Why doesn’t the team send Laf and Kakko down ? So they can dominate and play more then 9 minutes?


Even if it’s just for a small trip for a few games to get some confidence, etc.
 
Oscar Lindberg said:
Mollie asked a reasonable question, he didn’t need to include the attitude in his response.

Gallant’s been a dick to the media everywhere he’s coached, let’s not act like this isn’t something he’s done before
Click to expand...

After having Torts here, nothing can top those interviews. Lol.
 
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I like Molly and she's just doing her job, but i'm sure GG didn't like how hard she has been spinning his comments on Laffy. Especially after she went and asked Laf about it on multiple subsequent interviews. He's trying to protect the kid and I appreciate that. We need his confidence up. Last year he was upbeat and always smiling, but it seems like he's starting to feel the pressure.
 
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Mollie wants Gallant to say he’s not happy with Laf. And she wants to confront Laf with those statements. They are discussing his develoment behind closed doors. No need to bring the media into it. Like Gallant said, give the kid a break.
 
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“He’s been fine”

Yup. If u want an average hockey player who doesn’t do anything great or elite or whatever Def you want to use.

He’s right. Laf has been fine.

Problem is we won’t win shit w fine. Chytil has been fine… Kakko… Nils has been fine too at times. Panarin Zbad are fine too. Trouba fine. Not elite… just fine.

Our team is “fine”
 
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