Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

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. Narratives are just crumbling.

I still think (and hope...and pray) that the PP1 time is necessary to get him going. More from a confidence perspective. I'm not saying that he's right on track where he should be, because he is not. I am just hoping that he's a young kid who needs to build himself up a bit to realize his potential. I see a lot of fear and hesitation in his game.

 

[hockeyplayer999]

I still want to know how he was a first overall pick. He does nothing great in any areas. Not great defensively. Terrible skater, terrible passer , not a great shooter, not a great stickhandler, not that physical. So what put him above the rest. He did good against kids a year younger than him in his draft year. I guess we can wait until he is the oldest player in the league than he can be the best.

 

[Daves a mess]

My dog just left a giant Laf in the backyard.

 

[McRanger92]

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.

Domi was useless for Carolina in the series against us. Aside from poking the bear after game 3

 

[duhmetreE]

Lafreniere played a creditable game on the left side with Mika Zibanejad and Kaapo Kakko in the injured Chris Kreider’s absence, No. 13 getting a season-high 21:21 in which he had three shots on six attempts. That included a first-period deflection that forced Jake Oettinger to make perhaps his best save of at least the first 50 minutes or so.

“It felt good, I’m a little tired,” said Lafreniere, who started the OT as part of a 23-and-under group that included Filip Chytil and Braden Schneider. “I tried to build a little chemistry, make some plays, keep it simple and get into the game.

“We had some good shifts. I still can be better.”

Rangers’ last-second goal sparks stunning overtime victory

The Rangers needed a goal. They got one with less than a moment to spare — and then added another.

nypost.com

I think he had a decently strong game. Played well in front. He needs to stay involved. Unfortunately the playing time will go away once Kreider returns.... we will see how long that lasts?

 

[ReddestRum]

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.

So wait. Not only have you guys cried for Laf to get top minutes, which he did, and to play on PP1, which he did, now you want him actually QBing the PP now? Is there any end to the silver spooning with this kid?

What's next? A 5 mil contract to motivate him to play better?

 

[bhamill]

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.

Panarin and Zib clearly have higher EV scoring than Laf. No one else has more than a point more than him. Tro, Kreider, Fil all have 18. Laf has 17. So… he’s 5th in EV time and 6th in EV scoring among forwards. One more point he would be tied for 3rd… I’m not sure what narrative it is you are attacking, but honestly, EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT THINK LAF IS PLAYING VERY WELL, he’s still tracking just fine statistically. And that’s pretending all EV minutes are played with equally good linemates, start in the O zone with equal opportunity, etc, which is not the case. Hahaha.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Watching him the other night i believe he's star struck and is waiting to hand it off to one of the stars of the team. He needs to put himself on level with the rest or he's always gonna defer. A shift in ot he gets the puck and instead of burning off with it he's looking for someone to give it to. He needs to believe in himself

 

[bleedblue94]

Watching him the other night i believe he's star struck and is waiting to hand it off to one of the stars of the team. He needs to put himself on level with the rest or he's always gonna defer. A shift in ot he gets the puck and instead of burning off with it he's looking for someone to give it to. He needs to believe in himself

He's been conditioned that way since he turned pro

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

Watching him the other night i believe he's star struck and is waiting to hand it off to one of the stars of the team. He needs to put himself on level with the rest or he's always gonna defer. A shift in ot he gets the puck and instead of burning off with it he's looking for someone to give it to. He needs to believe in himself

in that situation in guessing he was instructed by GG to take care of the puck long enough for the main guns to refuel. he had the previous 3 periods + 41 games before that to believe in himself.

 

[Chaels Arms]

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.

I agree it's typical Gallant "oh this guy is gone, let's just plug in this other guy and hope he can be exactly the same" nonsense but the truth is he's on a PP unit with Fox and Panarin. No matter where you put Lafreniere he ain't controlling sh*t.

 

[bhamill]

I agree it's typical Gallant "oh this guy is gone, let's just plug in this other guy and hope he can be exactly the same" nonsense but the truth is he's on a PP unit with Fox and Panarin. No matter where you put Lafreniere he ain't controlling sh*t.

I also thought he showed well in general in front. He had a very nice deflection and wasn’t shy about going to the crease. PP and EV.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

in that situation in guessing he was instructed by GG to take care of the puck long enough for the main guns to refuel. he had the previous 3 periods + 41 games before that to believe in himself.

That's the problem, he doesn't have confidence in any of those previous games either, he needs to believe he can make plays in the NHL and stop trying to just exist there. I know with a lot of the young players i deal with, some of them need to just get on a roll, i think thats how he is too, its why I'd love for them to leave him on a good line for a bit and see if they can't jump start him. We need him

 

[huerter]

I agree it's typical Gallant "oh this guy is gone, let's just plug in this other guy and hope he can be exactly the same" nonsense but the truth is he's on a PP unit with Fox and Panarin. No matter where you put Lafreniere he ain't controlling sh*t.

Laf was playing net front on PP2 you theorizing weirdos.

 

[haohmaru]

Laf was playing net front on PP2 you theorizing weirdos.

They're talking about him vs. Dallas and he certainly was on PP1.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

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.

What does that prove?

 

[jerseyjinx94]

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.

Well, they are forced to get Laf out there more at EV bc Kreider and Mika are resting for all the ST time they play. I think that’s fairly obvious.

He has as many points as Trocheck and Kreider do 5v5, anyway.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

"He has as many points as Trocheck and Kreider do 5v5, anyway.

the above indeed are facts. but consider this: opposing coaches still consider kreider and trocheck as threats. laffy won't be considered a threat until he suddenly becomes one.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

"He has as many points as Trocheck and Kreider do 5v5, anyway.

the above indeed are facts. but consider this: opposing coaches still consider kreider and trocheck as threats. laffy won't be considered a threat until he suddenly becomes one.

I mean, this is a point that can’t really be contradicted by anything because there’s no way to dispute it other than pure conjecture.

I’m not saying he’s better than Kreider or Trocheck. Im just saying that (1) Laffy having more EV time is because Kreider and co. are resting after playing 1:45 of the previous PP or killing a penalty, and (2) at EV, Laffy has as many points as Kreider and Trocheck.

 

[huerter]

They're talking about him vs. Dallas and he certainly was on PP1.

Thanks, Richie.

My point was that they didn’t force Laf into a role. He was already being used in that role.

 

[bhamill]

"He has as many points as Trocheck and Kreider do 5v5, anyway.

the above indeed are facts. but consider this: opposing coaches still consider kreider and trocheck as threats. laffy won't be considered a threat until he suddenly becomes one.

Sure. There are a lot of factors. Such as the quality of their regular linemates all year, and how often they start off their shift in the O Zone, etc. I think Laf being 6th in EV (1 point from being tied for 3rd) while being 5th in EV time isn’t exactly damning. It tracks pretty nicely, especially considering us all agreeing that he is NOT playing up to our satisfaction. This kid is nowhere near as bad as so many on here try to paint him.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

Sure. There are a lot of factors. Such as the quality of their regular linemates all year, and how often they start off their shift in the O Zone, etc. I think Laf being 6th in EV (1 point from being tied for 3rd) while being 5th in EV time isn’t exactly damning. It tracks pretty nicely, especially considering us all agreeing that he is NOT playing up to our satisfaction. This kid is nowhere near as bad as so many on here try to paint him.

stop it - he's pretty bad.

he maybe 6th in EV. that's a low bar if anything. those other guys maybe tied or a pt or two higher in EV but those guys are also dong invaluable other things that are noticeable when one watches them play that aren't reflected on the box scores. and those other guys are the main PP1 guys as their contributions there ought to offset any narrative regarding their EV's in line with laffy's.

the only excuses that he has going for him is his age and how he's not being used the same way as other teams have in the past with 1OA's. those teams are usually defensively undisciplined, which enables those 1OA's to go out and think offense only. if laffy was drafted by any other of those teams other than us or kings that draft year then yeah one i suppose to could make a very strong case that he would have way more points on his tally.

the game even now in his 3rd season still looks too fast for him. his reactions are just not on par compared to an average good nhl player. in my eyes this guy i would regard as a project in progress. maybe he develops into a 60 pt player in 2-3 years.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

this thread here has me thinking this:

we're all ranger fans yeah? ok it's one thing to be a fan. so lemme ask if you are that player that knows you're going to be 1OA. you're an offensive player. you're mackinnon, crosby, mcdavid, kucherov, etc level. you grew up as a ranger fan. the rangers have the 1OA pick. if i was that guy i would order my agent to tell drury/sather/dolan do not phucking pick me. like i said to be a fan is one thing. to be that player i would be thinking this is bunsines, my future, and self preservation.

if i was a goalie or defenseman then yeah i'd be perfectly fine ifthe rangers picked me.

what do y'all think?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

this thread here has me thinking this:

we're all ranger fans yeah? ok it's one thing to be a fan. so lemme ask if you are that player that knows you're going to be 1OA. you're an offensive player. you're mackinnon, crosby, mcdavid, kucherov, etc level. you grew up as a ranger fan. the rangers have the 1OA pick. if i was that guy i would order my agent to tell drury/sather/dolan do not phucking pick me. like i said to be a fan is one thing. to be that player i would be thinking this is bunsines, my future, and self preservation.

if i was a goalie or defenseman then yeah i'd be perfectly fine ifthe rangers picked me.

what do y'all think?

 

[cheech70]

Alexi still looks like a teenager playing video games and eating pizza...he needs to go shopping with Hank for some new clothes and go out with Filip and K2 for some sea urchin and down some bourbon...do that for a week he should be better.