Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière
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- Jul 16, 2005
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I don't agree. If it's "we have a chance if everything goes right" then it usually doesn't happen. Like I said, in the past 15 years, well, like once, maybe twice if you count the Caps, but, they also have Ovechkin.
It's the teams who are looked at as having the overwhelming talent that usually win. The Pens, the Hawks, etc. If you don't already know you are in that position, the odds are usually against you.
Maybe becoming the Penguins isn't realistic but there's no reason not to keep trying to build into a Bruins-like contender. Yes they only won 1 but I put an asterisk there because they've appeared in 3 and lost a Game 7 to the Blues in a series they probably should have won, which really would only have further proven my theory, which is that the Bruins would now be multi-winners and there would be ZERO one-offs besides the Caps.
We don't have the talent of those other teams and if our approach is "Well I don't want to throw away this outsider chance, so let's go for it," the overwhelming odds say we will come up short in our quest for 1 and end up disappointed.
It's the teams that successfully build into a ten year contender that can win 2 that end up getting hardware. We aren't there yet.
Amazing Kreiderman
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- Apr 11, 2011
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You build a contender, you don't build a winner.
Winning is based on too many external factors you cannot influence. I rather be a Sharks fan the last 15 years than a Hurricanes or Blues fan. Despite not winning, the Sharks built a contender and put themselves in a spot to win.
SA16
Sixstring
The Blues are 623-374-122 with 11 playoff appearances and a Stanley Cup the last 15 years. Not sure why you wouldn't have been happy being a Blues fan in that time period.
Amazing Kreiderman
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- Apr 11, 2011
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1. You picked the cut off of the last 15 years. In those 15 years the Red Wings won 1 Cup. Their last cup prior to that was 2002.
2. The Avalanche could win it again. But the same was said about the Bruins. Didn't happen.
DanielBrassard
It's all so tiresome
He's been playing down low on PP2 so that makes sense. Maybe he can make the pass to the bumper that Kreider has trouble with.
irishlaxburger2
Registered User
For those bemoaning the PP1 discussion, this is why folks are asking for it. Laf, compared to other 1st overall picks, started very low in terms of PP time vs his peers and it has stayed that way. Granted, part of it staying that way has been his poor performance 5v5, which I won't disagree with. But the reality is PP time is rarely ever "earned" for 1st overall picks. It is given from the start, and for the most part, still given through development ups and downs.
Laf likely won't develop like other 1st overall picks if he isn't treated like other 1st overall picks. And this is why trying to blend "win now with vets" and "developing the kids" are inherently at odds with each other.
I hope he can make the most of opportunities given to him with Kreider being out of the lineup.
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haohmaru
boomshakalaka
I listened to Vince's show and he had a professional prospect guy on (I forget his name) and his take, was, basically that Lafreniere needs to figure out how to reset - whether that be his overthinking about where he should be right now or whatever. Right now, he needs to concentrate on being an NHL player playing against NHL players.
Perhaps the smartest take on this (his) was that if you have to strain to get a guy like Lafreniere into your top six then he probably doesn't belong there yet.
My take, too, is that he's simultaneously unfortunate by having players like Zibanejad, Fox, Panarin, Kreider and Trocheck ahead of him but he's also fortunate to be on a pretty good team. I think he has to forget his pedigree and figure out the game away from the puck.
Perhaps the smartest take on this (his) was that if you have to strain to get a guy like Lafreniere into your top six then he probably doesn't belong there yet.
My take, too, is that he's simultaneously unfortunate by having players like Zibanejad, Fox, Panarin, Kreider and Trocheck ahead of him but he's also fortunate to be on a pretty good team. I think he has to forget his pedigree and figure out the game away from the puck.
gravey9
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- Dec 29, 2008
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Question: I get that it's Laffy's third year, but he's struggling a bit. What vet on the team is currently taking Laffy under his wing and helping him? Kravy is 2 years older than Laffy and has Panarin. Who is helping Laffy right now? Seems like it would behoove the org to make sure Laffy has an older sounding board to help him through times like this. Mika is likely the closest player on the current roster who has been through something similar.
- Jan 18, 2012
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Mika was doing it for the few games he was on the line.
Coaching Staff, once again is not seeing the big picture. The kids should be spread out with vets. Maybe when Kreider is back Laffy should play with Trocheck.
Kreider Zibs Kakko
Panarin Chytil Kravtsov
Laffy Trocheck Vesey
leetch99
Leetch66 Joined 2007
Teams almost never win the Cup unless everything goes right. Attrition of injuries, hot goaltending and luck is what usually separates the ultimate winner from the rest.
Today, the only team that looks like they should win is Boston. The Rangers are among the other teams that have a shot. If someone is a fan of any team besides Boston, they're in the same boat as Rangers fans.
- Jul 16, 2005
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Well of course but what kind of contender should you build? That’s the question.
TopShelfSnipes
Ella Shelton > Ryan Lindgren + it's not even close
Colorado is still a very serious contender. They've been without their captain and one of their top 3 forwards all year, and now without MacKinnon for a quarter of their games to date as well. Can't count them out. They also just got their 4th-5th best forward back after being out most of the year.
Also, if Edmonton ever gets a goalie and one more defenseman, look out.
Don't think you can count Tampa out either. They're still a very good team and have just seriously underperformed (especially their depth).
That's the point.
There's lots of teams you can't count out, including the Rangers.
TopShelfSnipes
Ella Shelton > Ryan Lindgren + it's not even close
True, but I would love to go into the playoffs year after year as a favorite, rather than a "potential" winner. I don't believe that we're there yet, but if the kids take big strides, we have a 3-5 year window where the vets are still good and the kids are coming into their own. That's always been what I was hoping for out of this season.
I was really hoping this year would be the start of that window, but the 2nd half is probably what will determine that more than anything else.
Luka just got called for a travel and was hysterical going back on defense. I was told nobody laughs in sports at calls they disagree with.
McRanger92
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- Jun 7, 2017
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Still believe Laf will be fine long term but I think the Rangers need a top 6 forward at the deadline. Preferably a guy who can snipe a few
as long as the player plays a physical game and goes to the net. Another finesse forward that does not go to the net is not needed. Rangers have enough of those.
Max Domi would be nice. He agitates and draws penalties.
SA16
Sixstring
How is he supposed to improve being net front on PP1? He needs the puck on his stick with time and space. He should be on the half wall controlling the play. Here we go again with this coach making the easy decision by just directly putting him in Kreider’s spot instead of shifting things around to let him use his vision and creativity. Even Sam Rosen was joking about it during the game saying if you gave him armor he would stand in front of the net on the powerplay.
haohmaru
boomshakalaka
With the way he turns the puck over the front of the net is the PERFECT spot for him on the PP. If his creativity were shining through anywhere this season then he'd be eating other team's third lines for lunch.
I hope he figures it out. I really do. It's been a tough watch this season.
Chytilmania
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- Dec 31, 2017
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I think he’s a virgin and needs to get laid this offseason then he will start playing loose and show skill. Happened with Kakko.
Did you guys know Laf actually plays the 6th most minutes of any forward on the team? 56 seconds per game more than Chytil? Did you know he’s 5th among forwards on EV time on ice per game? He gets more than Kreider. Mika is third in EV TOI per game with exactly 60 seconds more per game. Meaning he’s played. a whopping 42 more minutes at 5v5. Narratives are just crumbling.
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Shesterkybomb
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- Dec 30, 2016
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I think Skinner is fine, i think Edmonton just needs defense but they are in denial about the fact they need to trade RNH for help on the back end.
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