Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part II

[NYRangers0723]

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

I think you’re overreacting a bit. She was definitely trying to poke the bear a bit. It’s not like he insulted her. He answered the question while also trying to back up Kaf by saying “give the kid a break”

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I think you’re overreacting a bit. She was definitely trying to poke the bear a bit. It’s not like he insulted her. He answered the question while also trying to back up Kaf by saying “give the kid a break”

He was rude but whatever

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Quinn was and is a heck of a coach. I still think we made a big mistake firing him.

I always said he wasn't the problem here, having said that i was ok with getting Gallant instead of him. For me it was either one or the other. People just pile on one player, coach, goalie here as the quick fix to the team. The big mistake was firing Gorton, he had this ship headed in the right direction and was patient to do it right.

 

[NYRangers0723]

He was rude but whatever

not really but whatever

 

[RangersFan1994]

Would the Rangers scratch him? He wasn't noticeable at all last night even after he was put on the 4th line. No passion in his game. I thought he had more grit, more assertiveness, more aggressiveness in his game. I thought he'd be the guy that wants the puck and get it himself and not be the guy that expect his teammates to do the work for him to get the puck

 

[Synergy27]

I’m fine with rude. Show me you care. That response tells me that GG gives a shit about Laf as a player/person. That’s important.

If Mollie can’t deal, which I’m sure she can, she can GTFO.

 

[NYRangers0723]

“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”

I know it’s hard fir our fan base but there needs to be Patience. He is still so young and it’s only 11 games into the season. Kid is going to be a real good player we just gotta give him a break

 

[NYRangers0723]

I’m fine with rude. Show me you care. That response tells me that GG gives a shit about Laf as a player/person. That’s important.

If Mollie can’t deal, which I’m sure she can, she can GTFO.

. Agreed. Honestly he wasn’t really rude he was sticking up for his player. It’s obvious her question was premeditated to get a reaction and even in her article she wrote trust it was the same BS.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I’m fine with rude. Show me you care. That response tells me that GG gives a shit about Laf as a player/person. That’s important.

If Mollie can’t deal, which I’m sure she can, she can GTFO.

I think the backlash he’s facing is largely just because she’s a woman. People said far worse things to Brooksie lol

 

[EdJovanovski]

“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”

 

[TriFF51]

Being invisible and having almost no impact (laf and kakko both) isn't exactly doing "fine"....I'm all being patient but I think there's at least some grounds for concern...sure he's got 2 game winners but outside of those 2 goals there's not been much of anything notable.

 

[Entrancemperium]

I'm guessing that Gallant is tougher with Laffy behind closed doors but he'll defend him tooth and nail against the media and that, I think, is appreciated by Laf.

Of course I am just speculating.

 

[Zats Muccarello]

I'm guessing that Gallant is tougher with Laffy behind closed doors but he'll defend him tooth and nail against the media and that, I think, is appreciated by Laf.

Of course I am just speculating.

Reminds me of Torts trying to shield his players from media criticism

 

[Savant]

Neither GG nor Mollie did anything wrong.

 

[jay from jersey]

I always said he wasn't the problem here, having said that i was ok with getting Gallant instead of him. For me it was either one or the other. People just pile on one player, coach, goalie here as the quick fix to the team. The big mistake was firing Gorton, he had this ship headed in the right direction and was patient to do it right.

Quinn wasn’t the devil, he had his strengths/weaknesses. He wasn’t all bad, but his time had run it’s course here. It’s apparent that the team wasn’t responding to him the same since the bubble play ins really.
You can tell whatever his message was, it wasn’t getting the players motivated.
He got the short end of the straw having no physicality here whatsoever when Ada/lemmy were done here, plus all the other turmoil. It was just time for a change.
I think he’ll do ok in a spot with solid assistants.
He’s not a very good tactician, and you can tell when the rangers hired Matin, he’s not the greatest at implementing systems.

 

[jay from jersey]

This thread is dump. You don’t trade guys like Drai, especially when he’s happy, for a small market team like EDM.
NYR aren’t trading LaF or Kakko. Both are puppies. LaF should score 20-25 goals this year with no PP time, and kakkos offense will come, just like the rest of his game came around.
Both players will be fine and are showing improvement.
Just because they weren’t shot out of a cannon from draft day, or they are padding their stats with meaningless points on garbage teams doesn’t make either kid a bust.
Good rule of thumb, never label a kid a bust before he’s of legal drinking age.

 

[NYRFAN218]

Neither GG nor Mollie did anything wrong.

Basically how I feel about all of this. It's a nothing story. As GG has shown, he's going to protect his players publicly.

 

[jay from jersey]

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.

solid analysis of Kakko. I think if you get him a center who works the cycle down low, it would tremendously help his game
I actually think Goodrow-Barron-Kakko would be an excellent line.
I think Blais should be on Panarins wing.
Jury still out if chytil can fill that role

 

[huerter]

Being invisible and having almost no impact (laf and kakko both) isn't exactly doing "fine"....I'm all being patient but I think there's at least some grounds for concern...sure he's got 2 game winners but outside of those 2 goals there's not been much of anything notable.

When you get game winners you win the game for your team. So you could argue he's been our most valuable skater.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Quinn wasn’t the devil, he had his strengths/weaknesses. He wasn’t all bad, but his time had run it’s course here. It’s apparent that the team wasn’t responding to him the same since the bubble play ins really.
You can tell whatever his message was, it wasn’t getting the players motivated.
He got the short end of the straw having no physicality here whatsoever when Ada/lemmy were done here, plus all the other turmoil. It was just time for a change.
I think he’ll do ok in a spot with solid assistants.
He’s not a very good tactician, and you can tell when the rangers hired Matin, he’s not the greatest at implementing systems.

He had an incomplete team riddled with injuries, covid, russian issues, etc last year. So far im seeing the same issues with a better team this year, Gallant will need to adjust or fall on the same sword as the system he is implementing is almost a carbon copy.

 

[CasusBelli]

Reminds me of Torts trying to shield his players from media criticism

Making himself the center of attention to distract others from the players. It’s a smart move as long as players understand that the point — and not blind egocentrism.

 

[smoneil]

I think the backlash he’s facing is largely just because she’s a woman. People said far worse things to Brooksie lol

Agreed. And sports reporting is generally a boys' club, so I guarantee you that Mollie has heard 1000x worse than that to be where she is in that field (and I'd bet she'd find the pearl clutching about the whole thing hilarious). It never would have been an even tiny story if not for the fact that she's a woman.

 

[Cag29]

Delete

 

[Synergy27]

Anyone think they’re scoring a goal tonight?

 

[rdhstlr23]

Give the kid PP1 time. I don’t care about Strome. I don’t care about Kreider. I don’t care. Get him on the PP1 unit and give him some confidence.