Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part III

[IDvsEGO]

Definitely not every 1st rounder, but 1st overall, yeah kinda. That was the expectation of every fan, scout and analyst as well.

and had he been drafted by a team that threw him in the top 6 i dont doubt he would be

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I'd like to see Kreider at RW long term. Last night on that pass to Gauthier you see the type of vision and playmaking Laf has from that left side.. that's not really CK game. With Kreider you're not really gonna see him thread passes like that or undress a defenceman, you'll see a more straight foward game using his speed and strength, driving the net, getting the puck on goal, strong on the boards, be around the crease... I think if you slot him on that right side you can open up some of those aspects a bit. Him being able to cut toward the middle on his forehand off the right side to get that big shot off rather than be on his backhand at LW is a huge advantage (how Panarin scored yesterday).

During that time period if we were a big playoff threat than I completely understand. Put your players in the best position to win games. If they think pairing a gritty player to do the dirty work on Panarins line gives them the best chance to win, ok that's fine. But that wasn't the case, it was a rebuild. The Senators are better served by getting Stutzle minutes/experience rather than going with the known quantity in someone like Chris Tierney who's a fairly established middle 6 guy who they could've easily just said stay in the 2 spot for us keep playing 17 minutes a night over the kid

All 3 assists were brilliant but LOOK OUT! Another 2 coming. Maybe 3.

 

[Scott r]

He's had alot of empty net goals or tap ins. Vs the tougher or better teams they won't happen as often. Still think he's going to be included in a trade. Why people talk about his age and he's too young....this is where he belonged based on his hype, stats in juniors, and 1st overall.

 

[Scott r]

I think a lot of the kid hate is misguided. The org/management should be getting the brunt of it.

Explain ?? I thought John davidson and Gordon were phenominal...they built up st Louis blues and Boston bruins to win...alot of that was the kids ....this now hurt nyr ?? Also, people in thread say mgmt is too blame for his playing time..well mgmt is different this year.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

All 3 assists were brilliant but LOOK OUT! Another 2 coming. Maybe 3.

His most common line mates have like 7 goals combined. Playmaking hasn't been great but it becomes harder to do when you play with complete non-factors on offense. Lets see if he sticks with Mika and Kreider and if those numbers go up

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

His most common line mates have like 7 goals combined. Playmaking hasn't been great but it becomes harder to do when you play with complete non-factors on offense. Lets see if he sticks with Mika and Kreider and if those numbers go up

But he's a non-facto... Two very goof coaches, 3 PPG linemates, the best defenseman in the NHL. You're a believer, which is good, I'm not.

 

[duhmetreE]

Everyone plays well, they get rewarded.

Laffy plays well, he gets benched in crunch time and demoted.

I mean there's only so much of that a player could take before it's an issue.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Everyone plays well, they get rewarded.

Laffy plays well, he gets benched in crunch time and demoted.

I mean there's only so much of that a player could take before it's an issue.

I don’t know that he’s actually being “demoted”, Vince kinda hit the nail on the head I think and the bottom 6 is terrible the past few games, putting Laf and Chytil back together, and now with Laf playing better and hope it turns the 3rd into a much better line.

this also lets him slot guys on the fourth who don’t belong on the third.

 

[mas0764]

Everyone plays well, they get rewarded.

Laffy plays well, he gets benched in crunch time and demoted.

I mean there's only so much of that a player could take before it's an issue.

Like Kravtsov.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Everyone plays well, they get rewarded.

Laffy plays well, he gets benched in crunch time and demoted.

I mean there's only so much of that a player could take before it's an issue.

Imagine if instead of that, he got some minutes on PP1 as a reward? Could see this kid taking off.

 

[SA16]

Why is he acting like he can play RW? We all know he’s a natural LW.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Imagine if instead of that, he got some minutes on PP1 as a reward? Could see this kid taking off.

The problem w rewarding someone like that, and you’re not wrong in that we should, is that someone else has to slide down, and in this case strome has earned his spot on pp1 and it’s a top 10 pp. kinda hard to move him off while it’s successful

 

[haveandare]

Why is he acting like he can play RW? We all know he’s a natural LW.

Because the team isn’t built around him and that’s where the top 6 spot is for the foreseeable future.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Everyone plays well, they get rewarded.

Laffy plays well, he gets benched in crunch time and demoted.

I mean there's only so much of that a player could take before it's an issue.

Especially when you've been the best player on your team probably since you were six years old and have gotten fed minutes at every single level no matter the circumstances.

 

[bbny]

Why is he acting like he can play RW? We all know he’s a natural LW.

Shocking revelation Vinny. I thought he might say no he can't handle it and didn't think he was good enough to do it.

 

[ORRFForever]

The kid is on FIRE - or as close to fire as he gets.

 

[Irishguy42]

 

[mas0764]

The push for 20

 

[ORRFForever]

The push for 20

Not sure why he has so few assists. Makes no sense.

 

[mike14]

Not sure why he has so few assists. Makes no sense.

He should have 2-3 over the last 4 games. He's setup 5-6 very good chances that people haven't been able to finish

 

[duhmetreE]

not playing a checking role, with no thumb neanderthals would elevate his game? crazy

 

[ORRFForever]

He should have 2-3 over the last 4 games. He's setup 5-6 very good chances that people haven't been able to finish

If had anywhere near the "goal to assist" ratio as most players, his stats would be just fine.

 

[xsniper11x]

Many keep pointing out how he has some lucky goals, but he’s also had just as many, if not more, assists lost due to linemates inability to finish. Love the kid’s swagger and what the future holds now that he has the skilled linemates to go with the increased confidence.

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

Kreider Mika Laf
Panarin Strome Kakko

That is the top 6 moving forward barring a trade. End. Of. Story.

 

[SA16]

He has looked a lot better the last few games. Much more engaged on the board and making some good passes. He needs to stay in the top six for the forseeable future and they need to see how it goes. None of this demotion after one or two bad games. The team is basically locked into the playoffs. It's a good time to experiment.