Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part III

[duhmetreE]

So 4 seasons away. Not 5.

Age 21 season is 1 year away
Age 22 season is 2 years away

etc

Seasons not years. Age 21 is 1 year away but 2 seasons ( this season and next ). It will be the beginning of Laf's 6th season. This is his 2nd season. That's 5 different seasons.

 

[duhmetreE]

Either way, the point was Laf is young and has little to no experience in the NHL.

Comparatively speaking, he was better than Kakko in their D+1 seasons.

I also believe he will be better than Kakko, by the end of their d+2 seasons. It frustrating he's not coming out and setting the world on fire... It is what it is. ( I also don't think skating is his issue. )

 

[mas0764]

He's only played 72 games.

It will get better. IMO I already see the signs of life

I thought he was more positively noticeable the last two games.

 

[mas0764]

We're in the midst of a Kakko explosion. So if Laf needs this year to marinate a little more, get up to NHL pace, grow a little more physically and get even fitter, then explode in his Year 3, so be it. The long-term will be worth the wait.

Well, we are in the midst of three points in two games for Kakko.

Let's wait and see how much of an explosion it is.

Signs are positive.

 

[Raspewtin]

Kakko has looked better than he has at any level since at least 2019. he has been a completely different player since he scored his first goal.

if he keeps this up even at like 70-80% we're looking good.

 

[LORDE]

There was a play where the puck was in the neutral zone and instead of making a strong play on the puck he tried to do a one handed chip passed the Montreal player and it got picked off. That is some junior nonsense that doesn't fly at this level. He has a lot of bad habits but I'm just citing this particular moment cause it was the grossest. I wish fans stopped worrying about points and tap in goals and started basing his readiness on the details.

I mentioned this in the game thread... i was equally upset and said something along the lines of "That JR shit won't work at this level"

At some point, while regaining any semblance of confidence, he's going to have to up his game to the NHL level. If not, he'll be our worst, most painful B word.

 

[Rempe73]

If Laf played and looked more like Gauthier, I'd be more optimistic

Meh, Gauthier can’t really create for anyone but himself, which is good but not 1OA good.

 

[haveandare]

It’s not all we need from him by a long shot but he’s been forechecking like a mad man the last few games.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

He has a few goals little baby steps i wanna see him start racking up assists

 

[duhmetreE]

Am I the only one that sees similarities with Draisaitl?

 

[Synergy27]

Am I the only one that sees similarities with Draisaitl?

Between Laf and Drai?

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Meh, Gauthier can’t really create for anyone but himself, which is good but not 1OA good.

He can't create for himself either, I'm not sure why he thinks he has to be on top of the goalie to get a scoring chance.

Shoot



The




Puck

 

[duhmetreE]

Between Laf and Drai?

yes. I'm talking about style and skill set.

We can pray he works his way into Draisaitl production.... I remember hearing Draisaitl is a real hard worker and extremely driven.... I know it's copium.... but is it really?

 

[duhmetreE]

 

[Synergy27]

yes. I'm talking about style and skill set.

We can pray he works his way into Draisaitl production.... I remember hearing Draisaitl is a real hard worker and extremely driven.... I know it's copium.... but is it really?

I don’t think Laf has the physicality to cut it as a Drai type.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Am I the only one that sees similarities with Draisaitl?

Drai is an even uglier skater than Laf lol, looks like Lucic

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Laf is gonna be a good player, he honestly just needs to get on a line without Zib and Panarin to play his game, i think playing him on the 3rd line is way more beneficial to him than forcing him into the top6, he will have to land there though by new years if we have any chance at being a threat in playoffs imo. I look at how long Carolina took to get their core to where they are and Laf is about 2 years from that

 

[huerter]

He was on Leafs Lunch today. People are starting to get cised for our boys.

 

[mas0764]

I don’t think Laf has the physicality to cut it as a Drai type.

Draisaitl is bigger too, no?

 

[duhmetreE]

Draisaitl is bigger too, no?

Laf will settle in to a similar 205-210 range in his prime

I don’t think Laf has the physicality to cut it as a Drai type.

I think he has it in spades

 

[mas0764]

They are listed at the same height, Draisaitl looks taller though, interesting.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

yes. I'm talking about style and skill set.

We can pray he works his way into Draisaitl production.... I remember hearing Draisaitl is a real hard worker and extremely driven.... I know it's copium.... but is it really?

Yes, severely strong copium. You got hot takes, no offense, and this one is scorching. imo, neither style nor skill set are similar.

We have to give Laf time, considering the style aspect. That needs time to be established in the NHL. Many factors come into play, most importantly confidence, adaptability of the style to the NHL, etc.
Only a handful of players in a decade get to enter the league and force their style of play on it.

So Laf may turn into the vicious assassin Draisaitl is, but for the moment 0% chance imo. Draisaitl does almost everything with a purpose and an edge. His killer instinct was fully developed already at age 23-ish. I've seen plays in international hockey where Drai just willed a goal into existence.

The big issue I got is your skill set point. Draisaitl is a deadly sniper with an exceptional nose in the o-zone. He showed it d+2 latest in the NHL.
Drai's skating may be (bad), but he is where he has to be, when he has to be. You'd have to elaborate on the similarities you see atm, I don't see any.

That all said, I also hope I really wrong.

 

[duhmetreE]

Yes, severely strong copium. You got hot takes, no offense, and this one is scorching. imo, neither style nor skill set are similar.

We have to give Laf time, considering the style aspect. That needs time to be established in the NHL. Many factors come into play, most importantly confidence, adaptability of the style to the NHL, etc.
Only a handful of players in a decade get to enter the league and force their style of play on it.

So Laf may turn into the vicious assassin Draisaitl is, but for the moment 0% chance imo. Draisaitl does almost everything with a purpose and an edge. His killer instinct was fully developed already at age 23-ish. I've seen plays in international hockey where Drai just willed a goal into existence.

The big issue I got is your skill set point. Draisaitl is a deadly sniper with an exceptional nose in the o-zone. He showed it d+2 latest in the NHL.
Drai's skating may be (bad), but he is where he has to be, when he has to be. You'd have to elaborate on the similarities you see atm, I don't see any.

That all said, I also hope I really wrong.

right... and what would Draisaitl look like if he was drafted by the Rangers?

Laf was a sniper before he went the Panarin route. It's still there. The entire skillset is there. Will he ever get to the point of current Drai? Probably not.

Kakko and Laf are extremely talented players... we quickly forget because how shit they looked here.

 

[Inferno]

Lafreniere has dominated people above his age his entire life. He's struggled a bit here.

The kid has talent and is super smart.

It's just a matter of time. I think he's gonna be a 4th year player when. He has a giant leap forward. His development was stalled with the pandemic.

 

[Ruggs225]

Laf also outproduced Drai in their rookie year. However drai is currently outproducing him in their age 20 year, but drai also got meaningful pp time

Drai didnt break into the league as a superstar.