Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[aufheben]

I just realized all of his goals are identical (insofar as hockey plays can be identical,) but in a good way, because it seems more consistent. Glides through the slot finding open space and putts it home.

One day he won’t have to find open space, he’ll create it and leave a wake of defenders.

 

[2014nyr]

It can’t be understated how long he went without playing hockey. Basically from March 2020 to January 2021. That’s a LONG time to not play a single game at a pivotal development age.

Nearly a year without playing, thrown into a 56 game season sprint, and people were surprised it was taking him so long to gather his bearings?

exactly this. kept saying this when there were tears over his being a bust. not to mention 1 week training camp / no preseason. canada having been in an extreme lockdown from his season end thru summer - ice time was very limited as were real gyms. kid was working out in his garage. and then given the restrictions last year players had very little time off ice together for dinners etc which make a big difference, esp for a teenager new to the team, league, and city. he was put behind the 8 ball from a preparation standpoint physically, thrown into the deep end with the schedule, setback in assimilating by covid restrictions, and in the unusual position for 1st overalls of joining a team that didnt have to lean on him for production.

but he was positive and happy through all of it and just worked - never sulked publicly or visibly on the ice. meanwhile half the fanbase was ready to throw him in the hudson. his attitude is the reason there never should have been any doubt he was going to be a star in time. awesome to see what looks like the beginning of his breaking out.

 

[Peltz]

It can’t be understated how long he went without playing hockey. Basically from March 2020 to January 2021. That’s a LONG time to not play a single game at a pivotal development age.

Nearly a year without playing, thrown into a 56 game season sprint, and people were surprised it was taking him so long to gather his bearings?

Wow that is too long of a time to not play.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Patiently waiting for a 2 assist night

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

It can’t be understated how long he went without playing hockey. Basically from March 2020 to January 2021. That’s a LONG time to not play a single game at a pivotal development age.

Nearly a year without playing, thrown into a 56 game season sprint, and people were surprised it was taking him so long to gather his bearings?

At the age of 18, when its what he did his whole life prior to that, every day basically. Cannot be understated.

 

[Peltz]

At the age of 18, when its what he did his whole life prior to that, every day basically. Cannot be understated.

Credit to him for handling the media well, handling the demotions within the lineup well, and having faith in his game.

He took it all really gracefully and continued to simply work and even find some enjoyment in the struggle - the dude was always smiling after wins even where he made no impact because he's a team guy.

Other players could learn a thing or two.

*cough*Kravstov*cough*cough*

If anything, seeing a player struggle and turn it around gives me a different sort of respect than a hotshot who dominates from the jump (not to say I wouldn't have loved that too).

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Credit to him for handling the media well, handling the demotions within the lineup well, and having faith in his game.

He took it all really gracefully and continued to simply work and even find some enjoyment in the struggle - the dude was always smiling after wins even where he made no impact because he's a team guy.

Other players could learn a thing or two.

*cough*Kravstov*cough*cough*

If anything, seeing a player struggle and turn it around gives me a different sort of respect than a hotshot who dominates from the jump (not to say I wouldn't have loved that too).

Personally I think the jury is still out on Laffy - but the latest few weeks are very encouraging. He's playing with a different pace to his game, there isnt any hesitation and we are seeing flashes of elite level play.

Many have preached patience. He looks very good right now, almost a different player in regards to his confidence. It does a lot for a forward's game. Sticking with him on the top line has helped him in that regard, but give him credit for not moping and continuing to work on all facets of his game.

He earned that spot, it wasnt given to him. When he wasnt scoring, the effort he was showing was consistent and in all ends of the rink. Those habits have stayed consistent and translated into a well rounded young player. And its obvious he knows he needs to continue to do that if he wants to stay there. My hope is that if a rental winger is brought in, they put him with Breads line and leave Alexis alone.

He has a very good attitude. I think he stays within himself and is very comfortable in his own skin and thats one of the traits that has allowed him to reach the level of a #1OV. Captain material down the road.

If you think about it - both Kakko and Laf have likely exceeded anyones expectations in the defensive department - which bodes very well for the future and the chances of this team winning a Cup.

 

[duhmetreE]

Kind of a small sample size, no?

We didn't have much but the one we did have typically disappeared

as opposed to Kreider Zibs Laffy, I feel like that will be the 'go-to' line in the playoffs.

Panarin Strome worry me, that they will suffer the same fate as our past 'top6'ers'

 

[Salsa Shark]

We didn't have much but the one we did have typically disappeared

as opposed to Kreider Zibs Laffy, I feel like that will be the 'go-to' line in the playoffs.

Panarin Strome worry me, that they will suffer the same fate as our past 'top6'ers'

Panarin is the most gifted forward we've had since Jagr. I think he'll find a way to get on the scoresheet come spring

 

[Chaels Arms]

This is living proof that the "HE'S GOTTA EARN IT APPROACH!" is flawed when you're talking about high draft pick, high potential players like Lafreniere.

Lafreniere was only given this opportunity out of sheer necessity. Gallant's hand was forced into doing two things he never would have done otherwise:

1. Shift Lafreniere from his natural position to RW;
2. Give Lafreniere big minutes with top players but also against top competition.

Neither of these things happen if Gallant had literally any other viable option available.

We need to start making smart decisions not just out of necessity and desperation but because they are smart decisions.

Kakko should be getting 18+ minutes a night when he comes back and that should continue indefinitely, regardless of results. These kids are the future. They are more important than any individual game result. Stop with this Hunt nonsense. If Panarin and Strome have a problem with it then bash their heads together like Moe and tell them to deal with it.

 

[SA16]

This is living proof that the "HE'S GOTTA EARN IT APPROACH!" is flawed when you're talking about high draft pick, high potential players like Lafreniere.

Lafreniere was only given this opportunity out of sheer necessity. Gallant's hand was forced into doing two things he never would have done otherwise:

1. Shift Lafreniere from his natural position to RW;
2. Give Lafreniere big minutes with top players but also against top competition.

Neither of these things happen if Gallant had literally any other viable option available.

We need to start making smart decisions not just out of necessity and desperation but because they are smart decisions.

Kakko should be getting 18+ minutes a night when he comes back and that should continue indefinitely, regardless of results. These kids are the future. They are more important than any individual game result. Stop with this Hunt nonsense. If Panarin and Strome have a problem with it then bash their heads together like Moe and tell them to deal with it.

He played on the top line with Kreider and Zibanejad the first three games of the year, part of the fourth, game, the 7th game. Now he's got another opportunity and he's playing better in that role than he did before.

Gallant, and most coaches, can never go with the "regardless of results" mentality. Why would he care if these guy develop 3-4 years from now when if they lose games he will get fired before that time? This is always going to be a disconnect between staff and ownership.

 

[will1066]

He played on the top line with Kreider and Zibanejad the first three games of the year, part of the fourth, game, the 7th game. Now he's got another opportunity and he's playing better in that role than he did before.

Gallant, and most coaches, can never go with the "regardless of results" mentality. Why would he care if these guy develop 3-4 years from now when if they lose games he will get fired before that time? This is always going to be a disconnect between staff and ownership.

Gorton: We hired you on your reputation of being a good development coach.

Quinn: No, I'm going to try and win games with Blackwell as my 2RW.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Gorton: We hired you on your reputation of being a good development coach.

Quinn: No, I'm going to try and win games with Blackwell as my 2RW.

Let’s be clear. He coached a top 5 college program, that’s not a development aspect, that’s a recruiting job.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Gallant, and most coaches, can never go with the "regardless of results" mentality. Why would he care if these guy develop 3-4 years from now when if they lose games he will get fired before that time? This is always going to be a disconnect between staff and ownership.

So why did this team hire "development coach" David Quinn?

I agree with your premise but I also think that disconnect is something that can, and should be, managed.

Plus, as others have pointed out, the team for the most part has been atrocious at even strength. They were in a very unique position where they actually had the luxury of feeding Kakko and Lafreniere lots of 5v5 ice time without sacrificing results but just weren't doing it up until what's happening with Lafreniere recently.

There's pretty much no situation where giving Dryden Hunt more minutes than Kaapo Kakko is the right move.

 

[Peltz]

So why did this team hire "development coach" David Quinn?

I agree with your premise but I also think that disconnect is something that can, and should be, managed.

Plus, as others have pointed out, the team for the most part has been atrocious at even strength. They were in a very unique position where they actually had the luxury of feeding Kakko and Lafreniere lots of 5v5 ice time without sacrificing results but just weren't doing it up until what's happening with Lafreniere recently.

There's pretty much no situation where giving Dryden Hunt more minutes than Kaapo Kakko is the right move.

Kakko was in the top 6 before his injury. You’re yelling at clouds dude.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Kakko was in the top 6 before his injury. You’re yelling at clouds dude.

Correct, and that's where he should be and stay for the rest of the season when he comes back.

You're yelling at clouds dude.

 

[duhmetreE]

He played on the top line with Kreider and Zibanejad the first three games of the year, part of the fourth, game, the 7th game. Now he's got another opportunity and he's playing better in that role than he did before.

Gallant, and most coaches, can never go with the "regardless of results" mentality. Why would he care if these guy develop 3-4 years from now when if they lose games he will get fired before that time? This is always going to be a disconnect between staff and ownership.

the whole team was shit at even strength. Laffy got the shit end of the stick multiple times. He had patience with Kakko but as soon as he started producing he moved him to another line.

He leans on players like Hunt and McKegg way too much.

Barron has 'gotten opportunities' too.... playing single digit minutes with dead weight, sporadically. What does Barron look like on the 2nd line if given the opportunity?

 

[VainGretzky]

Laf will become the player that was drafted where he was,remember all the people calling Jack Hughes a bust, and now is starting to perform at a nice level. I posted this then in this thread on Hughes Laf will be fine when he figures out experienced NHL dmen
Jack Hughes on pace to have worst rookie season by a 1st overall forward since Patrik Stefan in 1999

 

[mrhockey193195]

Gallant, and most coaches, can never go with the "regardless of results" mentality. Why would he care if these guy develop 3-4 years from now when if they lose games he will get fired before that time? This is always going to be a disconnect between staff and ownership.

Agreed, but it begs the question - why isn't the metric of success for the coaches during a rebuild how well their top prospects develop? Obviously the Rangers are further along the rebuild than they initially expected thanks to Panarin, Igor, Fox, etc. but imagine if they weren't. Wouldn't a coaching staff that helped turn Kakko & Laf into PPG players, Chytil into a solid #2 center, etc. be a huge success?

 

[GAGLine]

Laf will become the player that was drafted where he was,remember all the people calling Jack Hughes a bust, and now is starting to perform at a nice level. I posted this then in this thread on Hughes Laf will be fine when he figures out experienced NHL dmen
Jack Hughes on pace to have worst rookie season by a 1st overall forward since Patrik Stefan in 1999

Is Jack Hughes' development a fair blueprint, or comparison, for Alexis Lafrenière?

 

[VainGretzky]

Is Jack Hughes' development a fair blueprint, or comparison, for Alexis Lafrenière?

Blueprint keep in mind NJ did not have the luxury of an established scoring top 6

 

[aufheben]

We didn't have much but the one we did have typically disappeared

as opposed to Kreider Zibs Laffy, I feel like that will be the 'go-to' line in the playoffs.

Panarin Strome worry me, that they will suffer the same fate as our past 'top6'ers'

I was really just joking around, but, yeah, I could definitely think of a few players who fit that particularly unfortunate bill.

 

[aufheben]

Correct, and that's where he should be and stay for the rest of the season when he comes back.

You're yelling at clouds dude.

It’s the NHL man not 3rd period P.E.

 

[jay from jersey]

the whole team was shit at even strength. Laffy got the shit end of the stick multiple times. He had patience with Kakko but as soon as he started producing he moved him to another line.

He leans on players like Hunt and McKegg way too much.

Barron has 'gotten opportunities' too.... playing single digit minutes with dead weight, sporadically. What does Barron look like on the 2nd line if given the opportunity?

We’re never gonna know. you really can get in any sort of rhythm playing 6-7 min with the worst talent on the roster, every other or every 2-3 games.
It’s 50/50 whether you’ll have a good or bad outing, and go back to being scratched.
Look at Brodzinski tonight, playing consistent top minutes in Hartford, he comes up and doesn’t miss a beat....
Whether it be young guys or vets, you need a good string of games in a row and some consistent minutes to get any sort of proper evaluation.

 

[Chaels Arms]

It’s the NHL man not 3rd period P.E.

I don't even know what this means.