Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[wings5]

anyone thinks Quinn would scratch him? maybe he needs a mental break. has he ever played this many games in a short period of time. something to consider

Junior hockey schedule is as close to NHLs as you can get and they do it in a bus. The only other pro option that exists would be to send him to a European pro league. I think this would be beneficial for him but I highly doubt the Rangers would do this

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Probably not that hard to understand. #1 overall picks have certain expectations, if they aren't being met there'll be short-term disappointment, even if there's less concern over long term success.
Looking at the stats posted previously, a lot of that was done on pretty terrible teams (that's why they're picking at #1). So, while no, I don't expect our 19 y/o to have the team first in the division, I don't really see there being an issue being disappointed that he's only featured in 1 of the 31 goals we've scored this season

If you want to continue whining about a 19 year old kid not scoring be my guest.

 

[mike14]

If you want to continue whining about a 19 year old kid not scoring be my guest.

Could you point to me doing said 'whining'?

 

[dangsLITE]

This is just such a terrible year to come into the league... especially as someone who has known where his name was going to be called for some time. In addition to the all the reasons that have been beaten to death in this thread that are more related to preparation and readiness, we can't forget the no fans , no experiencing the city, diminished bonding with the team (can barely hang out at the hotel), no games in his hometown in front of friends and family, no mom's trip etc, etc.

Those are things that every NHL Rookie looks forward to, and more so someone who has known the opportunity to play will come sooner rather than later. You can't tell me that a game at Bell Centre couldn't have lit a fire under his ass if he was in a similar situation in a different year. Sure we can look to Stützle and argue that this shouldn't matter, but I think it certainly makes it more difficult to turn a corner after struggling without these motivators.

 

[NYSPORTS]

This is just such a terrible year to come into the league... especially as someone who has known where his name was going to be called for some time. In addition to the all the reasons that have been beaten to death in this thread that are more related to preparation and readiness, we can't forget the no fans , no experiencing the city, diminished bonding with the team (can barely hang out at the hotel), no games in his hometown in front of friends and family, no mom's trip etc, etc.

Those are things that every NHL Rookie looks forward to, and more so someone who has known the opportunity to play will come sooner rather than later. You can't tell me that a game at Bell Centre couldn't have lit a fire under his ass if he was in a similar situation in a different year. Sure we can look to Stützle and argue that this shouldn't matter, but I think it certainly makes it more difficult to turn a corner after struggling without these motivators.

Good post

Everybody is in the same boat throughout sports through. It’s terrible but the world change for a bit. It could be worse.

As far as this team, this shorter brutal schedule against veteran teams could be the best thing for these kids. This is tougher defensive hockey and not the typical wide open hockey. Thus is a brutal asking for such a young team.

 

[The New Russian Five]

Good post

Everybody is in the same boat throughout sports through. It’s terrible but the world change for a bit. It could be worse.

As far as this team, this shorter brutal schedule against veteran teams could be the best thing for these kids. This is tougher defensive hockey and not the typical wide open hockey. Thus is a brutal asking for such a young team.

And everyone reacts differently. Some players thrive off of the fans, others probably play a little more loose when there aren't 16,000 fans breathing down their back. There is no one-size fits all here. That is why you see some players playing better than usual, and others the opposite.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

And everyone reacts differently. Some players thrive off of the fans, others probably play a little more loose when there aren't 16,000 fans breathing down their back. There is no one-size fits all here. That is why you see some players playing better than usual, and others the opposite.

And it just so happens that the Rangers are have the worst reaction to it than anyone. I'm sure its just random luck though, nothing to do with how this team is run, organized, or coached.

 

[The New Russian Five]

And it just so happens that the Rangers are have the worst reaction to it than anyone. I'm sure its just random luck though, nothing to do with how this team is run, organized, or coached.

Not saying those aren't factors. But it's also hard to tell objectively just how much, given the weird circumstances for the year. It skews the data that we have to work with.

 

[MetalJaws]

A lot of excuses are being made for Laf. Most are valid and for the record I think we're blessed to have him. However compared to the previous 10-15 1OA players he's not even close to having as explosive of a 1st season or has had any offensive impact what so ever. Coming close, getting his game going, playing well defensively or making big hits is not what we all thought his game would be 12 games in. We thought Mackinnon and Mathews levels of impact. I think it's safe to say everyone was expecting more of an immediate NHL ready impact. Shit, even Yakupov and Hughes had bigger better years playing on absolute dog shit offensive teams with no support and they had the most brutal rookie seasons in memory.

Can he turn it around? Yes, very likely and hopefully soon. We all want him to, I watch every game waiting for the breakout game. The hype was just so much higher than the on ice product. It's hard to keep making excuses. He seems like he'll be having a Kakko rookie type year. Which is fine, most just wanted a lot more. I think the criticisms are warranted.

 

[haveandare]

And it just so happens that the Rangers are have the worst reaction to it than anyone. I'm sure its just random luck though, nothing to do with how this team is run, organized, or coached.

Are they though? Some very key players are reacting poorly and it’s throwing things off. The vast majority of players are reacting wonderfully.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Are they though? Some very key players are reacting poorly and it’s throwing things off. The vast majority of players are reacting wonderfully.

Everyone has regressed from last season. Even Igor, who has pretty good numbers overall, is letting in a lot of stinkers and not coming up clutch.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

A lot of excuses are being made for Laf. Most are valid and for the record I think we're blessed to have him. However compared to the previous 10-15 1OA players he's not even close to having as explosive of a 1st season or has had any offensive impact what so ever. Coming close, getting his game going, playing well defensively or making big hits is not what we all thought his game would be 12 games in. We thought Mackinnon and Mathews levels of impact. I think it's safe to say everyone was expecting more of an immediate NHL ready impact. Shit, even Yakupov and Hughes had bigger better years playing on absolute dog shit offensive teams with no support and they had the most brutal rookie seasons in memory.

Can he turn it around? Yes, very likely and hopefully soon. We all want him to, I watch every game waiting for the breakout game. The hype was just so much higher than the on ice product. It's hard to keep making excuses. He seems like he'll be having a Kakko rookie type year. Which is fine, most just wanted a lot more. I think the criticisms are warranted.

Its not fine, at all.

 

[haveandare]

Everyone has regressed from last season. Even Igor, who has pretty good numbers overall, is letting in a lot of stinkers and not coming up clutch.

Lol what?

Fox is lightyears better. Lindgren is the same or better. Miller is a revelation and obviously a far better player than he was in college last year. Hajek is better but still not a great player at this level.

Kakko is drastically improved. PDG is a lot better. Chytil looked to be taking a big step until he got hurt. Buch is a far more complete player. Howden is in over his head at 3C but wasn’t an anchor on the fourth mine like last year. Lemieux is far more noticeable, faster, and is drawing penalties like crazy.

Big important guys aren’t doing well and it’s counteracting the improvements elsewhere in the lineup. Even given that, almost every loss has been a close, tight game.

 

[CLW]

Lol what?

Fox is lightyears better. Lindgren is the same or better. Miller is a revelation and obviously a far better player than he was in college last year. Hajek is better but still not a great player at this level.

Kakko is drastically improved. PDG is a lot better. Chytil looked to be taking a big step until he got hurt. Buch is a far more complete player. Howden is in over his head at 3C but wasn’t an anchor on the fourth mine like last year. Lemieux is far more noticeable, faster, and is drawing penalties like crazy.

Big important guys aren’t doing well and it’s counteracting the improvements elsewhere in the lineup. Even given that, almost every loss has been a close, tight game.

The Rangers are playing a new system. People complain about players not producing offensively as much as last year, but then the Rangers didn't play D. Now they are learning to play Team Defense so it's not strange that the offensive game suffers for now.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Hughes had bigger better years playing on absolute dog shit offensive teams with no support and they had the most brutal rookie seasons in memory.

Wait, what? Lol. If you mean Jack Hughes, he did not have a bigger better year last season. In fact, he had one of the worst seasons for a #1 overall pick. Laf's season isn't yet over.

 

[MetalJaws]

Wait, what? Lol. If you mean Jack Hughes, he did not have a bigger better year last season. In fact, he had one of the worst seasons for a #1 overall pick. Laf's season isn't yet over.

Well, I hate to say it but, Hughes had 1 point through his first 13 games and was a minus 6. Laf is 1pt though 13 and a minus 5. Almost identical numbers.

 

[broadwayblue]

Everyone has regressed from last season. Even Igor, who has pretty good numbers overall, is letting in a lot of stinkers and not coming up clutch.

Have you looked at his stats for the last 4 or 5 games? Yeah, he started off slow...but he's been dominant the last couple weeks.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Have you looked at his stats for the last 4 or 5 games? Yeah, he started off slow...but he's been dominant the last couple weeks.

i mentioned his stats are good. He's still letting in bad goals though at bad times, not coming up with the big saves

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

If you want to continue whining about a 19 year old kid not scoring be my guest.

He's not whining though. He actually did a very eloquent job of explaining a phenomenon that II also feel. Should they trade him? answer unnecessary. But I'm miffed he only has a goal myself.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

The Rangers are playing a new system. People complain about players not producing offensively as much as last year, but then the Rangers didn't play D. Now they are learning to play Team Defense so it's not strange that the offensive game suffers for now.

Yes. They're starting to become very good defensively. By and large, excellent structure.

 

[6zag]

Has he been dissappointing so far? Sure.

Does whatever happens this year affect his overall projection as a player? Nah.

Let's start getting worried next year if nothing's changed.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

The Rangers are playing a new system. People complain about players not producing offensively as much as last year, but then the Rangers didn't play D. Now they are learning to play Team Defense so it's not strange that the offensive game suffers for now.

Anyone remember Nash light it up as a rookie and Hitchcock came in and forced him and the team to be more defensively responsible? It paid off for Nash in the long run when his offensive skills diminished he was a pretty damn good 2 way player.

Kakko hasnt taken that step to elevate his game without the puck. So did Chytil in portions last and this year. Buch as well (his problems reside with the puck in the o zone).

The reason why this team is struggling offensively is mental processing. They have to think about the consequences of what they do offensively to not expose themselves differently. That is vastly different than last year when it was nuts on the table and good luck to anyone between the pipes. That will work against average teams, but teams with the systems to counter that (Bos, Car, Tampa, Montreal, Pitt) will take that and put it back in our net.

Once they trust their decisions with and without the puck then the offensive creativity will come back. Just look at Tampa, you can be great offensively while having a sound defensive system in place. That shit doesnt happen overnight.

 

[Rongomania]

Cue the Jim Bruer:

"Everyyybodyyy needs to stop , freeeakin' out, maaan."

 

[Synergy27]

Has he been dissappointing so far? Sure.

Does whatever happens this year affect his overall projection as a player? Nah.

Let's start getting worried next year if nothing's changed.

This is a huge leap of faith. If he ends up having the worst statistical rookie season of any D+1 1OA, how does that not affect his long term projection? I mean, sure, it’s possible (even likely) that he still develops into an elite player but the odds of that go down a lot if he ends up with ~20 points.

He needs to score at a 0.5PPG pace for the rest of the season just to end up at 0.38PPG. He was expected (by most pundits) to be a 0.75PPG guy from day one.

He doesn’t have a point yet in an actual NHL hockey game.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

This is a huge leap of faith. If he ends up having the worst statistical rookie season of any D+1 1OA, how does that not affect his long term projection? I mean, sure, it’s possible (even likely) that he still develops into an elite player but the odds of that go down a lot if he ends up with ~20 points.

He needs to score at a 0.5PPG pace for the rest of the season just to end up at 0.38PPG. He was expected (by most pundits) to be a 0.75PPG guy from day one.

He doesn’t have a point yet in an actual NHL hockey game.

I mean Joe Thornton and Stamkos didn't blow anyones minds their d+1 years and they're both first ballot hall of famers.
Also the shortened season has a role in him just having .38 ppg the whole season if he scores at .5 ppg the rest of the way, over 82 games a 13 game dry spell wouldn't kill him.