Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part III

[Thirty One]

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.

Many of basketball's skills are transferable.

Fun exercise, pause the game at 10 random times in the offensive zone. Count how many times the left wing is on the left side of the ice and the right wing is on the right side. THE RESULTS MAY SURPRISE YOU.

 

[huerter]

Many of basketball's skills are transferable.

Fun exercise, pause the game at 10 random times in the offensive zone. Count how many times the left wing is on the left side of the ice and the right wing is on the right side. THE RESULTS MAY SURPRISE YOU.

Whoever named the "positions" really did a disservice to the the donk portion of hockey fans. Giving up goals is the fault of the defensemen and the left and right wingers have to stay in their lanes.

 

[LORDE]

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.

I was the same... LOVED the off wing, but I also had a backhand that was accurate for shooting but also lifting passes to the slot... or you could open a new passing lane by drawing it back behind you on the forehand.

Again, these guys are pros... I assume they "can" do it... it's just about maximizing their skills.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I was the same... LOVED the off wing, but I also had a backhand that was accurate for shooting but also lifting passes to the slot... or you could open a new passing lane by drawing it back behind you on the forehand.

Again, these guys are pros... I assume they "can" do it... it's just about maximizing their skills.

His skills are dying on that dead end 3rd line. Him moving to the right side of Strome is gonna help everyone.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

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.

With Lafreniere they only tried it for a shift or two before moving him back to the left side. They should be trying it out, it might take 3 or 4 games to get comfortable and you'd have to take the pain that comes with that but i think we'd be a more complete team, and for all this talk before the season started that players would slot where they belong he is one that isn't. If we arent putting him in the top 6 then we need to make another 3rd line, my preference is Laf, Goodrow, Barron.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Lafrenniere makes a real bad list;

Top 5 NHLers Who Need to Step Up Their Game

Having a 'sophmore slump' would actually suggest he had a very strong rookie year.

I agree it would be nice to see some more output from him but until recently he hasnt had a decent center and he will continue to get very little PP time if the lineup stays the same. He's not at the point in his development to expect more.

Would be nice for sure - and news flash - he has stepped up the last several games since he was elevated... so... odd that this criticism comes out 2 days ago

Sometimes I think writers just pull shit out of their ass to make a column

 

[The New Russian Five]

Having a 'sophmore slump' would actually suggest he had a very strong rookie year.

I agree it would be nice to see some more output from him but until recently he hasnt had a decent center and he will continue to get very little PP time if the lineup stays the same. He's not at the point in his development to expect more.

Would be nice for sure - and news flash - he has stepped up the last several games since he was elevated... so... odd that this criticism comes out 2 days ago

Sometimes I think writers just pull shit out of their ass to make a column

These reporters have to follow 32 teams on a regular basis. As a result their analysis is usually shallow and they are missing a lot of context that would better inform their writing.

 

[leetch99]

Trade Panarin and within two years Laf is a 30-40 goal scorer ....BUT....only if he also gets Panarin's PP time....and we are better defensively . I know it won't happen ....but that is the move I would make ASAP .It's a bold move and likely only one that an armchair GM can suggest ....a sitting GM would be lynched by most fan bases . Keep in mind...us picking 1-2 was never a thought when we signed the guy in the first place . Lafreniere is like a race horse.... he needs a lot of minutes to succeed and those won't come on a 3rd line . The trade would hurt like HELL....but...that extra cap also gets us a potential #1-2 Center .

 

[CupSeeker]

Trade Panarin and within two years Laf is a 30-40 goal scorer ....BUT....only if he also gets Panarin's PP time....and we are better defensively . I know it won't happen ....but that is the move I would make ASAP .It's a bold move and likely only one that an armchair GM can suggest ....a sitting GM would be lynched by most fan bases . Keep in mind...us picking 1-2 was never a thought when we signed the guy in the first place . Lafreniere is like a race horse.... he needs a lot of minutes to succeed and those won't come on a 3rd line . The trade would hurt like HELL....but...that extra cap also gets us a potential #1-2 Center .

Trade Panarin? Have an allergy to great players with great attitudes that are loved by their teammates and the fans? Laf and Bread can flourish as teammates; patience.

 

[Harbour Dog]

I really don't want him to go back with Chytil. To the point where I actually hope Panarin has to sit for another week or so.

 

[Thirty One]

Trade Panarin and within two years Laf is a 30-40 goal scorer ....BUT....only if he also gets Panarin's PP time....and we are better defensively . I know it won't happen ....but that is the move I would make ASAP .It's a bold move and likely only one that an armchair GM can suggest ....a sitting GM would be lynched by most fan bases . Keep in mind...us picking 1-2 was never a thought when we signed the guy in the first place . Lafreniere is like a race horse.... he needs a lot of minutes to succeed and those won't come on a 3rd line . The trade would hurt like HELL....but...that extra cap also gets us a potential #1-2 Center .

Who are you trading him to that he's waiving his no-move for, other issues aside.

 

[Rangers ftw]

Trade Panarin and within two years Laf is a 30-40 goal scorer ....BUT....only if he also gets Panarin's PP time....and we are better defensively . I know it won't happen ....but that is the move I would make ASAP .It's a bold move and likely only one that an armchair GM can suggest ....a sitting GM would be lynched by most fan bases . Keep in mind...us picking 1-2 was never a thought when we signed the guy in the first place . Lafreniere is like a race horse.... he needs a lot of minutes to succeed and those won't come on a 3rd line . The trade would hurt like HELL....but...that extra cap also gets us a potential #1-2 Center .

Trade one of the best player in the league to make space for a young player that is still developing would be so so stupid. When you are first in the league, you don’t make that kind of change, you add depth for the playoffs.

 

[will1066]

Trade Panarin? Have an allergy to great players with great attitudes that are loved by their teammates and the fans? Laf and Bread can flourish as teammates; patience.

Panarin has an allergy to playing with kids.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Trade Panarin and within two years Laf is a 30-40 goal scorer ....BUT....only if he also gets Panarin's PP time....and we are better defensively . I know it won't happen ....but that is the move I would make ASAP .It's a bold move and likely only one that an armchair GM can suggest ....a sitting GM would be lynched by most fan bases . Keep in mind...us picking 1-2 was never a thought when we signed the guy in the first place . Lafreniere is like a race horse.... he needs a lot of minutes to succeed and those won't come on a 3rd line . The trade would hurt like HELL....but...that extra cap also gets us a potential #1-2 Center .

Panarin has been here 2 seasons, and put up the 4th and 5th highest single season P/GP in franchise history. Panarin also has a full NMC. He also has an 11.6m cap hit which almost no team can afford, and the ones that can he ain't waiving for.

 

[LORDE]

His skills are dying on that dead end 3rd line. Him moving to the right side of Strome is gonna help everyone.

I agree. He's been better the last few games but two brutal giveaway goals by the opposition's goalies don't make him look like the consensus #1 overall we should see. Yes he's 20. He's he's clearly growing... more than the goals the past couple games, I still see hesitation. Hesitation to shoot or just to go to places he needs to go.

I hope he keeps up this latest little streak of growth.

He's not going to have 4th string backups pass him the puck in the slot every game.

 

[rangersfansince08]

Panarin has been here 2 seasons, and put up the 4th and 5th highest single season P/GP in franchise history. Panarin also has a full NMC. He also has an 11.6m cap hit which almost no team can afford, and the ones that can he ain't waiving for.

I think he is 3rd behind McDarai in P/GP. Laf will never reach that level of play IMO.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I really don't want him to go back with Chytil. To the point where I actually hope Panarin has to sit for another week or so.

I wouldnt want to see Panarin out longer but Im pickin up what you are puttin down. Ditto for Zib on the half wall PP

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

I really don't want him to go back with Chytil. To the point where I actually hope Panarin has to sit for another week or so.

Unless, now that he's showing a little swag, you give him a shot with the breadman on his off wing.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Unless, now that he's showing a little swag, you give him a shot with the breadman on his off wing.

According to Turk he's not comfortable switching to the right but it might be in his best interest at this point.

 

[SA16]

According to Turk he's not comfortable switching to the right but it might be in his best interest at this point.

And he'll never get comfortable at it if they don't keep him there in practice and for a bunch of games and let him get used to it.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Lafrenniere makes a real bad list;

Top 5 NHLers Who Need to Step Up Their Game

I mean that's a garbage article but if we're really going to dig into Lafreniere's season, are we going to look at his usage and how he stacks up with other players in the league? Or are we just going to be underwhelmed by counting stats with zero context? People who don't watch him don't know that he's gotten pretty low TOI and very little PP time and has been saddled with pretty ineffective linemates almost all season.

He still has 8 5v5 goals this season. That ties him with Kreider and Panarin (amongst others including Huberdeau, Rantanen, Landeskog) and places him ahead of the following notable players (among many others) during this current season:

7 5v5 goals:
Dubois
Lindholm
Bergeron
Buchnevich
JT Miller
Marchand
Raymond
Reinhart
Josh Anderson

6 5v5 goals:
Pavelski
Saad
Kadri
Boeser
Kopitar
Rakell
Scheidele
Seguin
R. Strome
Zuccarello
Barzal

5 5v5 goals:
Zibanejad
Pastrnak
Fiala
Patrick Kane
Hischier
Marner
Crosby

4 5v5 goals:
Laine
Trocheck
Hall
Stone
Granlund
Kakko

3 5v5 goals:
JVR
Kessel
Beauvillier
Konecny
ROR
Stuzle
Toews
Chytil




If Lafreniere keeps up his current pace he will score 20 5v5 goals this season. If we look back to the last full 82 game season, here are some notable forwards who scored 22, 21 and 20 - comparable production - at 5v5:

22 5v5 goals:
Barkov
Josh Anderson
Connor
Marner
Monahan
Nelson
Panarin


21 5v5 goals:
Kreider
ROR
Pastrnak
Point

20 5v5 goals:
Eichel
Boeser
Konecny
Marchessault
Reinhart
Svechnikov

20 5v5 goals in 2018-19 would've placed him above the following notable forwards:

19 5v5 goals:
Bergeron
Huberdeau
Forsberg
JVR
Kopitar
Giroux
Ehlers
Couture
RNH

18 5v5 Goals:
Lee
Horvat
Pettersson
Pacioretty

17 5V5 Goals:
Zibanejad
Lindholm
Tuch

16 5v5 goals:
W. Karlsson
Wheeler
Perron
Gourde

15 5v5 goals:
Laine
Saad
Kessel
Backstrom
E. Staal
R. Strome
Barzal

14 5v5 goals:
Buchnevich
Hischier
Cirelli
Krejci
J. Williams

13 5v5 goals
Kuznetsov
B. Schenn
Bailey
Getzlaf
Keller

12 5v5 goals:
Malkin
Eberle
Rakell
Hornqvist

<10 5v5 goals
JT Miller (9)
Zuccarello (9)
Schwartz (9)
Chytil (8)
Okposo (7)
J. Carter (7)
Trocheck (6)
Ryan Reaves and Brett Howden and Barclay Goodrow and Greg McKegg (6)
Palat (6)
W. Nylander (6 in 55 games)
Clutterbuck (5)
Roslovic (4)
Lucic (4)


Svechnikov was a rookie, Keller was in year 3 and Hischier was in year 2. Those are the only comparable players in terms of age and experience and expectations on here. Every single other player on this list is a veteran.

 

[DanielBrassard]

It's funny because in his first few games in his rookie season he looked pretty good on RW with Panarin and Strome. I know he might not be comfortable but if he wants more ice time he should become more comfortable.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Many of basketball's skills are transferable.

Fun exercise, pause the game at 10 random times in the offensive zone. Count how many times the left wing is on the left side of the ice and the right wing is on the right side. THE RESULTS MAY SURPRISE YOU.

The only thing I can think of is that some guys don't like receiving/making passes on their backhand coming out of the defensive zone. But a first overall pick shouldn't have too difficult a time adapting.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I mean that's a garbage article but if we're really going to dig into Lafreniere's season, are we going to look at his usage and how he stacks up with other players in the league? Or are we just going to be underwhelmed by counting stats with zero context? People who don't watch him don't know that he's gotten pretty low TOI and very little PP time and has been saddled with pretty ineffective linemates almost all season.

He still has 8 5v5 goals this season. That ties him with Kreider and Panarin (amongst others including Huberdeau, Rantanen, Landeskog) and places him ahead of the following notable players (among many others) during this current season:

7 5v5 goals:
Dubois
Lindholm
Bergeron
Buchnevich
JT Miller
Marchand
Raymond
Reinhart
Josh Anderson

6 5v5 goals:
Pavelski
Saad
Kadri
Boeser
Kopitar
Rakell
Scheidele
Seguin
R. Strome
Zuccarello
Barzal

5 5v5 goals:
Zibanejad
Pastrnak
Fiala
Patrick Kane
Hischier
Marner
Crosby

4 5v5 goals:
Laine
Trocheck
Hall
Stone
Granlund
Kakko

3 5v5 goals:
JVR
Kessel
Beauvillier
Konecny
ROR
Stuzle
Toews
Chytil




If Lafreniere keeps up his current pace he will score 20 5v5 goals this season. If we look back to the last full 82 game season, here are some notable forwards who scored 22, 21 and 20 - comparable production - at 5v5:

22 5v5 goals:
Barkov
Josh Anderson
Connor
Marner
Monahan
Nelson
Panarin


21 5v5 goals:
Kreider
ROR
Pastrnak
Point

20 5v5 goals:
Eichel
Boeser
Konecny
Marchessault
Reinhart
Svechnikov

20 5v5 goals in 2018-19 would've placed him above the following notable forwards:

19 5v5 goals:
Bergeron
Huberdeau
Forsberg
JVR
Kopitar
Giroux
Ehlers
Couture
RNH

18 5v5 Goals:
Lee
Horvat
Pettersson
Pacioretty

17 5V5 Goals:
Zibanejad
Lindholm
Tuch

16 5v5 goals:
W. Karlsson
Wheeler
Perron
Gourde

15 5v5 goals:
Laine
Saad
Kessel
Backstrom
E. Staal
R. Strome
Barzal

14 5v5 goals:
Buchnevich
Hischier
Cirelli
Krejci
J. Williams

13 5v5 goals
Kuznetsov
B. Schenn
Bailey
Getzlaf
Keller

12 5v5 goals:
Malkin
Eberle
Rakell
Hornqvist

<10 5v5 goals
JT Miller (9)
Zuccarello (9)
Schwartz (9)
Chytil (8)
Okposo (7)
J. Carter (7)
Trocheck (6)
Ryan Reaves and Brett Howden and Barclay Goodrow and Greg McKegg (6)
Palat (6)
W. Nylander (6 in 55 games)
Clutterbuck (5)
Roslovic (4)
Lucic (4)


Svechnikov was a rookie, Keller was in year 3 and Hischier was in year 2. Those are the only comparable players in terms of age and experience and expectations on here. Every single other player on this list is a veteran.

I decided to look up comparables.

Parameters:
- Since 2000
- U21
- First 90 NHL games
- Min 20 ES goals

Only 21 in 22 years.