I’m really confused as to why everyone is so certain Laf “has the skill”. Players like Puljujaarvi, Yakupov, Zacha, Filatov showed “the skill” but never put it together. Laf doesn’t show it. He’s not a dynamic skater, he doesn’t have any tantalizing rushes, he isn’t threading the needle or making feeds no one else could see, he doesn’t have an overpowering shot or the ability to get open and use it. He dominated juniors because he had a man body at 17. He’s not huge, but 6’ 195 is big and thick for the age.
I think Kakko is wildly disappointing as well, but Kakko at least shows great puck protection and possession skills along the walls and that he can actually hammer the puck sometimes (recently). Chytil at least has obvious dynamic speed and puck carrying/rushing ability. Whether we believe the team would ruin Zegras or Stutzle as well, similarly Zegras has undeniable dynamic puck skills and creativity and Stutzle is a world class skater who isn’t afraid to play physically and has good hands and a good shot.
What is Lafreniere exceptionally good at? Don’t tell me he needs PP1 time and 20 minutes per night for us to find out. I’ve said 100 times I like Laf as a kid - he’s blessed with a super likable personality and overall just seems like a good, humble guy who wants to be here. I simply don’t believe in him. I don’t see a single plus skill in his tool kit. Even on draft day I wanted Stutzle. I just will always take the prospect who has an obviously world class ability over one that has none. Lafreniere - at the time - looked like, while he didn’t have any world class ability, he was above average in enough areas to be a complete package. That was wrong. He isn’t above - or enough above - in any category. Stutzle will always be a top 1% skater, just for example.
