Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part III

[haveandare]

Switching wings seems like another thing that only the rangers can’t do while other teams pull it off with ease. Like d-men playing their off side. Rantenen was a ppg center for a decent stretch there and we can’t get an lw who does 90% of his scoring standing in front of the net to play rw

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I really wish they would try Kreider on RW. He's scored a couple goals this season flying down the right side on a clean shot on his off wing, but he rarely finds that back of the net flying down the left side with a shot.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

he looks really good with Strome - impressive game

 

[FIRE DRURY]

I really wish they would try Kreider on RW. He's scored a couple goals this season flying down the right side on a clean shot on his off wing, but he rarely finds that back of the net flying down the left side with a shot.

I thought we did. Aside for like 1-2 goals, he wasn’t very effective at RW.

he looks really good with Strome - impressive game

Strome is an actual Center. He played with a cold blooded Mika earlier this year. And Chytil, who im starting to refuse to believe he’s more of a Center than Ryan f***ing Hollweg. Move the kid to RW. Revisit him at C in the future if he hasn’t been moved for an actual C.

 

[n8]

he looks really good with Strome - impressive game

Strome seems to have that effect on players. I really hope we can get him extended to something reasonable.

 

[CLW]

Strome away from Panarin seems to balance out the lines. When Strome was out with Covid early in the season the Rangers went 4-0, and now with Panarin out the team is playing well again.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Strome seems to have that effect on players. I really hope we can get him extended to something reasonable.

I mean, Strome is a pretty-much ideal 2nd line center. I'd hate to lose him, but yeah. It has to be reasonable. And I'd want his term to be centered around Panarin's term as well (just to hedge).

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

when it comes to goal scoring laffy this season reminds a lot of the way andrew copp scores his goals - when the goalie is way out of position due to goalie misjudgment.

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

Hope no one thinks I'm trolling for posting twice on another team's thread, but NYR and Habs are my 2nd and 3rd favorite team so coming from a place of love

But... the kid has SEVEN GOALS. That's a 20 goal pace. Everyone knows they're worth more than assists. He has 2 assists in 32 games. Does anyone really think that'll last forever? Playmaking one of his biggest strengths in juniors IT WILL COME as he figures out the NHL.

If he was consistently playing with elite finishers he can easily be at 15ish points if he simply had SIX more assists. That's nearly .50 PPG. FORGET HE WAS A #1, THAT IS GOOD PRODUCTION FOR A 20 YEAR OLD!

The critics will say projections are nothing, show me the results. As he becomes more comfortable on the ice, he'll show his playmaking ability more & rack up more points. Now consider he hasn't had much ice time, & no PP points. He's not only unlucky, he's unlucky & ONLY a YOUNG 20 YEAR OLD.

I know it sucks seeing your #1 'struggle' & it's easy to be impatient, but this dude WILL break out & pan out eventually IMO. Too skilled & smart.

Confidence, comfortability, speed, focus on playmaking in practice. I can list countless examples of 20 yr. olds who were near .50 PPG at 20 & ended up PPG players. Expectations were way too high, but be PATIENT. Some of these guys take time.

I won't be surprised when he's potting 30-40 a year.

He just needs confidence, speed, & dedication to improve. Obviously the .50 is hypothetical, but just imagine if he was consistently playing with an elite sniper RW & elite playmaking center he has chemistry with. He'd certainly have more than 2 assists. Add in PP time & he's about what you'd expect for a kid this age. It drives me nuts when people say "bUt mOsT HiS gOaLs aRe TaPInS"

Hey, I played at a lower level (trying not to sound douchey) & most of my goals were rebound goals. IT'S A SKILL to anticipate openings in play & be in right position. Goals all count the same on the scoresheet.

Again, I know it must be frustrating that he's not blowing the league out of the water, but that's only because his #1 status & scouts fawning over him without context that he may not be prepared for the speed of the game YET.

I swear, every year he'll figure it out. He will be a great player, & no 'bad development' can change that !
With peace & respect,
-random Sabres fan with a love for the game.

 

[Inferno]

So he is shooting 17.5%,the next highest is 10.1%, and non-Laf group average is 7.8% Seems sustainable.

He's also taking like half as many shots ...double the shots and move the percentage down to like 10 or 7 or whatever. It evens out.

 

[SA16]

He's also taking like half as many shots ...double the shots and move the percentage down to like 10 or 7 or whatever. It evens out.

Well yea but it's not that easy. Shot rate is way less noisy. Generally rate shooters shoot since it's something they directly control. It's pretty rare for someone to be in the 5-6 shot/60 range and then jump up to 9+. They generally shoot at similar rates even in less mins/worse roles. For example in the above group in their rookie season..

Stamkos: Shot rate was 7th highest of his 14 years.
Malkin: 5th highest of his 14 years
Toews: 8th highest of 14 years
Huberdeau: 4th highest of his 10 years
Pastrnak: 2nd lowest of 8 years (Still 8.53 which is well above average)

Seeing huge jumps isn't unheard of but it's quite rate. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who jumped from the 5-6 range to the 9-10 range though I'm sure there are some.

I arbitrarily chose the 16-17 season and of 48 forwards with 6 shots/60 or fewer that year (500+ mins) only one has a shot rate even over 8 shots/60 this year and it's weirdly enough 31 year old Adam Henrique at 9.6.

 

[mas0764]

But... the kid has SEVEN GOALS..

8, now.

 

[leetch99]

Agreed. I’m no professional but I’ve played left wing my entire life. I can NOT play the right side I just don’t feel comfortable there.

I preferred the opposite wing....at least that way when I was turning I had the whole end of the rink to get righted and speeded up to get back to the other end LOL....just like coming out of a slingshot !!! When I played my proper side ...there was a lot of coasting on the big turns hahaha and pity the fellow that would get in the way no checking or not . Run them over....and I was not the only rec hockey player that had that feature . Good old days .

 

[Kocur26]

Lafrenniere makes a real bad list;

Top 5 NHLers Who Need to Step Up Their Game

 

[Inferno]

Well yea but it's not that easy. Shot rate is way less noisy. Generally rate shooters shoot since it's something they directly control. It's pretty rare for someone to be in the 5-6 shot/60 range and then jump up to 9+. They generally shoot at similar rates even in less mins/worse roles. For example in the above group in their rookie season..

Stamkos: Shot rate was 7th highest of his 14 years.
Malkin: 5th highest of his 14 years
Toews: 8th highest of 14 years
Huberdeau: 4th highest of his 10 years
Pastrnak: 2nd lowest of 8 years (Still 8.53 which is well above average)

Seeing huge jumps isn't unheard of but it's quite rate. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who jumped from the 5-6 range to the 9-10 range though I'm sure there are some.

I arbitrarily chose the 16-17 season and of 48 forwards with 6 shots/60 or fewer that year (500+ mins) only one has a shot rate even over 8 shots/60 this year and it's weirdly enough 31 year old Adam Henrique at 9.6.

He's a number 1 oa pick who averaged 5 to 6 shots per game as a junior.. he didn't just forget how to shoot or decide to stop shooting.

He's playing a lesser role on a team filled with players way better than him so he's deferring.

Context matters here.

 

[MyLoveIsBlue]

Strome for Spooner, such a deal

 

[Crease]

Switching wings seems like another thing that only the rangers can’t do while other teams pull it off with ease. Like d-men playing their off side. Rantenen was a ppg center for a decent stretch there and we can’t get an lw who does 90% of his scoring standing in front of the net to play rw

I’m a goalie so I have no frame of reference. How difficult is it for wingers to switch sides? I imagine it’s not easy—especially in the best league in the world.

 

[will1066]

Plus, he's 20 years old. He can't drink alcohol. Think back to what you were doing when you were 20 (or in Ed's case, what you'll do in a few years), still learning yourself physically and figuring things out.

 

[Kocur26]

ES goals in first 82 NHL games

Alexis Lafrenière: 18
Evgeni Malkin: 18
Jonathan Toews: 18
Jonathan Huberdeau: 17
David Pastrňák: 17
Jack Eichel: 16
Nathan MacKinnon: 16
Steven Stamkos: 15
Patrick Kane: 14
John Tavares: 13

That’s an outstanding stat - plus he’s limited ice time .

 

[SA16]

He's a number 1 oa pick who averaged 5 to 6 shots per game as a junior.. he didn't just forget how to shoot or decide to stop shooting.

He's playing a lesser role on a team filled with players way better than him so he's deferring.

Context matters here.

I don't agree. He doesn't show a shooting mentality on the ice. All of the high volume shooters you see out there shooting everything and thinking shot first. Through 90 games played that is not his game at all. Shot rate is like the most consistent stat. It's entirely in the players control. He wasn't a big volume shooter in junior either until his last year.

 

[SA16]

I’m a goalie so I have no frame of reference. How difficult is it for wingers to switch sides? I imagine it’s not easy—especially in the best league in the world.

According to most players it's easy and not a problem.

According to fans it's harder to move a player from LW to RW than it is convert a basketball player into a football player.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I’m a goalie so I have no frame of reference. How difficult is it for wingers to switch sides? I imagine it’s not easy—especially in the best league in the world.

Its not hard at all, the only adjustment is in your own end, you have to pick up pucks along the wall differently. I've always prefered my off wing because you were in a better shooting position with your stick in the middle of the ice.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

According to most players it's easy and not a problem.

According to fans it's harder to move a player from LW to RW than it is convert a basketball player into a football player.

I said it elsewhere, but from what I've been told by players, it depends on the player. Not everyone is comfortable switching, and it's mostly due to how they are pinned down in their own zone on the opposite side.

Off the top of my head, Hughes, Kreider, Cuylle and Lafrenière have said they struggle with the adjustment, while Othmann, Berard, Pajuniemi, Kakko and Chmelař have said they are fine on either wing. It's definitely possible, but far from a sure thing.

 

[egelband]

Wish Sam wouldn’t call him, “Alexei”?

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

Wish Sam wouldn’t call him, “Alexei”?

yeah sam would be casting a kovalev spell