Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière: Part III

[NickyFotiu]

I really believe he's better served in the middle or the right.

Right now he is not much of a passer so as a shooter I think he might enjoy the right side. I do not see him as a center.

 

[Amazinmets73]

Tied for second in goals, 8th amongst forwards in TOI.

 

[Chytilmania]

I think it is partly skating but a large part is also vision, experience and just the mental speed of the game.

I think the other part is that third line doesn't always know what to do without the puck. At least once a game the three of them crash into each other behind the net. Even entering the zone they either go in alone or get bunched up together and there's no room.

 

[Kovalev27]

World class finish last night.

 

[AWall THE CLAW]

20-25 goals and 40 points in his first full NHL season would be absolutely stellar. Especially when he's not on the top PP unit and getting 3rd line minutes. If he was a more traditional 1st round pick (as it, the NYR weren't adding him to a team that already had top end talent) I'm sure he'd be in the 30g - 60pts range. Being on a contender also means that more emphasis is placed on his defensive game. I'd like to see more flashes when he has the puck but overall I'm satisfied with how he's progressing. "Patience" says Joe Micheletti!

 

[Rempe73]

It’s his skating. One power off-season working on his lower body and your looking at a completely different player.
If he can get that 3-step explosion that kakko has added, watch out, because this kid has overall better hands, better shot, and a better toolbox

Hmm…debatable. Better shot yes. Better hands? Maybe. But I would say softer, while Kakko’s are quicker. Kakko also has insane edge work.

 

[Blais to Win]

Right now he is not much of a passer so as a shooter I think he might enjoy the right side. I do not see him as a center.

It’s pretty clear what he is. It’s also pretty clear the staff intends to allow him time to get comfortable where he’s comfortable, before making even the change to RW, never mind C.

 

[duhmetreE]

I'm telling you... he has this level of finish in him. He would kill it on the right dot.

 

[Zamboner]

If he was a more traditional 1st round pick (as it, the NYR weren't adding him to a team that already had top end talent) I'm sure he'd be in the 30g - 60pts range. !

4 of his 5 goals have been tap-ins, he's spent most of the season being invisible, what has he shown that indicates 30 goals on a different team THIS YEAR? Hopefully, someday, but this year? This seems totally insane to me.

 

[AWall THE CLAW]

4 of his 5 goals have been tap-ins, he's spent most of the season being invisible, what has he shown that indicates 30 goals on a different team THIS YEAR? Hopefully, someday, but this year? This seems totally insane to me.

What has he shown? ~20 goal pace last year - 3rd line, little PP time. ~20 goal pace this year - 3rd line, little PP time. Tap in, tip in, slapshot… I don’t care how he pots ‘em. Finishing/being in a good spot is part of hockey.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

The same people that deride Laf's "tap ins" get on Gauthier and Chytil for not knowing how to finish.

 

[Peltz]

The same people that deride Laf's "tap ins" get on Gauthier and Chytil for not knowing how to finish.

Fortunately, tap-in goals are worth the same amount as dangle goals.

The last one though was a sick finish on a one-timer

 

[CLW]

The same people that deride Laf's "tap ins" get on Gauthier and Chytil for not knowing how to finish.

Laf reminds me of Selanne with his ability to pop up around the net at the right time to "tap-in" "softies".

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

 

[Rongomania]

Let us also not forget this kid faced more adversity due to covid than any other #1 ever.

 

[McSauer]

Anybody else think he's having too much fun out there? Def. a culture issue with the Rangers, but Laf was billed as this gamer that will go out and force his will, do whatever it takes to win; and just not seeing that.

Seeing him fool around with Mika and CK post game wins, and more that just don't scream 'serious'.

 

[Adrianopolous]

Would you folks trade Stutzle for Laf 1 for 1? Both struggling, maybe could use a change of scenery. Laf would be closer to home in his native Canada also.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Would you folks trade Stutzle for Laf 1 for 1? Both struggling, maybe could use a change of scenery. Laf would be closer to home in his native Canada also.

No. Wanted laf over Stuz at the draft and that still hasn’t changed a year later. Both will be good players, both fanbases need patience

 

[Harbour Dog]

Anybody else think he's having too much fun out there? Def. a culture issue with the Rangers, but Laf was billed as this gamer that will go out and force his will, do whatever it takes to win; and just not seeing that.

Seeing him fool around with Mika and CK post game wins, and more that just don't scream 'serious'.

That's just his personality. I can see how it may rub people the wrong way, but I have absolutely no doubt that the kid's focus is on winning; and knowing that, I love seeing him be goofy and enjoying himself.

If he was laughing and carrying on after losses, that would be of some concern. But he is a competitor, and I think we're seeing that more and more. He isn't a game-breaker yet, so he's throwing some big hits and mixing it up with guys post-whistle, because he cares about the team more than lighting the world on fire.

And really, he's still on pace for 20-21 goals with the dregs of our PP time, while not playing a full season's worth of NHL games yet.

Same thing as we went through with Kakko. Patience.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Would you folks trade Stutzle for Laf 1 for 1? Both struggling, maybe could use a change of scenery. Laf would be closer to home in his native Canada also.

lol, not a chance.

 

[Hockey Gamer]

Kakko looks so much more based this year than last. I'm sure Laf will get more confident over time and when he has to get serious he will.

 

[Raspewtin]

Anybody else think he's having too much fun out there? Def. a culture issue with the Rangers, but Laf was billed as this gamer that will go out and force his will, do whatever it takes to win; and just not seeing that.

Seeing him fool around with Mika and CK post game wins, and more that just don't scream 'serious'.

would you rather he sulk and smash things every game that doesn't go his way? get real. he'd be alienated in that locker room real f***ing quick if he was one of those mythical rah rah hates 2 loze types that this board loves the idea of.

 

[Doctyl]

would you rather he sulk and smash things every game that doesn't go his way? get real. he'd be alienated in that locker room real f***ing quick if he was one of those mythical rah rah hates 2 loze types that this board loves the idea of.

I prefer my top 10 picks to chuck their 2nd place participation trophies into the crowd

 

[ThirdEye]

Guy is shooting almost 18% through a full seasons worth of games. Once he is capable of separating himself from defenders a bit and finding open space I have no doubt he'll pot 25-30 goals every season without breaking much of a sweat (especially if he starts getting PP time).

 

[CLW]

I prefer my top 10 picks to chuck their 2nd place participation trophies into the crowd

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