A lot of guys that Laf is compared to, we have noted are getting bigger minutes and roles with top PP time. One guy who stands out as having mostly bottom six deployment and 14 minutes per game is Seth Jarvis. Laf has 11 points in 42 games. Jarvis has 17 points in 31.
Laf averages 13.5 minutes per game over 42 which comes out to about 565 minutes of ice time. Jarvis’ 14 in 31 comes out to 434. Jarvis was selected 13th overall in the same draft. The two are in similar situations as far as being on good teams and seeing third line minutes rather than being gifted top offensive assignments.
In the long run, it means nothing, but it definitely stings. Laf is 4 or 5 months older and much bigger and was supposed to be an NHL ready player and the top talent hands down. He’s 2 games shy of his 100th NHL game now, and pacing for 20 points this season. I know he mostly plays with guys like Chytil and Gauthier and only gets the tail end of the powerplay, but it’s not as if he gets zero PP time and hasn’t had opportunities with better players. The difference being that when Laf plays with talent, he doesn’t grab the opportunity and other young guys are starting with limited minutes and then seizing opportunities when they are presented.
Laf is 6th on the Rangers with 59 PP minutes. Jarvis is 10th on Carolina with 44. Lundell is 14th on the Panthers with only 24 PP minutes. Lundell is 8 days older than Laf and has 27 points in 40 games. Pacing for 55 points to Laf’s 20.
Seth Jarvis is on a good team. Lafreniere is on a team with the best goalie in the league.