Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[DanielBrassard]

We can't afford him unless there's a momentous trade jettisoning one of our NMC's.

Even as a rental I'm in favor of it

 

[haohmaru]

I'm not lying... I'm not sure I make that trade.

I am not an expert on the guy. He has put up lots of points but I don't know if he's a centerpiece.

Which is what I'd want.

Elias Pettersson, ok, I'm game. And that's not a trade I'd have ever made prior to this season as I still expected Lafreniere to be a 90 point stud.

That being said Vancouver would never make that deal which is one reason why he's not going anywhere. The Rangers have no choice but to pawn him off for less than what they'll need going forward, or to hold onto him and hope he turns into it eventually.

You make that trade all day if Meier were making what Laf will next year (2.1M anyone?)

I don't know, I've been paying very close attention to Lafreniere every game for probably a month and I think the most concerning thing is that there aren't any flashes of brilliance. I mean, none.

Chytil, Kakko, Miller, etc... there were moments when you were like "ooooh, look at that". Lafreniere doesn't have those and, at some point, you have to wonder if they're even there.

I'm not for trading him, though. He'll figure this shit out at some point during the maturation/training process and be a top 6 winger - and make us pay every time he plays us.

I don't think he'll ever be a superstar though. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Rybo]

Meier is unsigned. He’s not returning 3 NHL players lol

Meier is an RFA.

Also I said Schneider or Chytil and a 1st, thats one player and a pick.

Try to keep up next time

 

[McRanger92]

Meier is an RFA.

Also I said Schneider or Chytil and a 1st, thats one player and a pick.

Try to keep up next time

10 million QO. He’s a rental for any contender unless he comes with an extension in place. I can guarantee no team is trading a player of Chytil or Schneider’s caliber for him. Canucks board can tell you how these asking prices usually go

 

[Rybo]

10 million QO. He’s a rental for any contender unless he comes with an extension in place. I can guarantee no team is trading a player of Chytil or Schneider’s caliber for him. Canucks board can tell you how these asking prices usually go

Right so youre just a casual fan who parrots what he reads online

Mention the 10m QO without any context of how high-end QO's quite literally never get signed. Not a single high profile player ever.

And sure thing bud, nobody is trading anything for a guy top-10 in goals at age 25. Who needs those talents when you got worse players in Schneider and Chytil huh?

 

[McRanger92]

Right so youre just a casual fan who parrots what he reads online

Mention the 10m QO without any context of how high-end QO's quite literally never get signed. Not a single high profile player ever.

And sure thing bud, nobody is trading anything for a guy top-10 in goals at age 25. Who needs those talents when you got worse players in Schneider and Chytil huh?

Oh ok you’re a Sharks fan, I get it now

 

[Peltz]

To expand on that, I don’t think generating shots for himself is Laffys game. Never has been. He’s a natural playmaker first. If you’re using shots as the only metric to judge him, its disingenuous at best, at worst you just don’t know the player.

I'm not even looking for shots from Laf right now. I just want to see him win some board battles, hold onto the puck longer, enter the opposing zone with the puck without turning it over, and create some turnovers when the opposing team has the puck.

He isn't doing those things very well. That's why I'm frustrated. Kakko and Chytil do those things even in their longest goal scoring droughts.

I think Laf has been playing a soft game over the most recent stretch. I want to see him play smashmouth in-your-face hockey. I think that should be Laf's game.

He had that physical swagger in the playoffs and just forgot it in the regular season again. He needs to play "heavy".

I know not every reg season game can be that way, but he doesn't even have a pulse some nights.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

You make that trade all day if Meier were making what Laf will next year (2.1M anyone?)

I don't know, I've been paying very close attention to Lafreniere every game for probably a month and I think the most concerning thing is that there aren't any flashes of brilliance. I mean, none.

Chytil, Kakko, Miller, etc... there were moments when you were like "ooooh, look at that". Lafreniere doesn't have those and, at some point, you have to wonder if they're even there.

I'm not for trading him, though. He'll figure this shit out at some point during the maturation/training process and be a top 6 winger - and make us pay every time he plays us.

I don't think he'll ever be a superstar though. Hope I'm wrong.

This is very self-contradictory....

 

[Peltz]

Pre-draft, one of this kid's greatest attributes was his compete level. I just don't see it right now. Whether it's been coached out of him, or his confidence is just shot, I have no idea. Laf just looks defeated out there. Complete passenger. No aggression or killer instinct with the puck on his stick.

He also looks.... weak? I know he's only 21, but I haven't seen any noticeable improvement in his strength or explosiveness. Does he train with Prentiss? I know a lot of our guys do, but some don't.

This. I don't care if he doesn't get points at 21. But I expect him to at least be a "pest" to play against.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

You make that trade all day if Meier were making what Laf will next year (2.1M anyone?)

I don't know, I've been paying very close attention to Lafreniere every game for probably a month and I think the most concerning thing is that there aren't any flashes of brilliance. I mean, none.

Chytil, Kakko, Miller, etc... there were moments when you were like "ooooh, look at that". Lafreniere doesn't have those and, at some point, you have to wonder if they're even there.

I'm not for trading him, though. He'll figure this shit out at some point during the maturation/training process and be a top 6 winger - and make us pay every time he plays us.

I don't think he'll ever be a superstar though. Hope I'm wrong.

That is just flat out wrong. If that’s what you’re coming away with, you’re not paying as close attention as you think.

 

[mas0764]

But just like all the anti-vaxxers, I know you dont actually believe that and are just looking for a reaction

I know you really don’t understand either of those two things.

 

[Synergy27]

Why does Laf deserve more chances or better opportunities than Kakko or Kravtsov? They are both super high picks as well, and have shown much more at the NHL level.

I've been busy, it's been a long two weeks, I wasn't home all weekend either because of my "job".

Better player? I think he can put up similar numbers in his mid-20s.

So you’d prefer to invest in a guy that might put up similar numbers five years from now at the expense of the guys that ARE putting up those numbers today? What’s the end state? We’re still a pretender in 2028?

 

[ReddestRum]

To expand on that, I don’t think generating shots for himself is Laffys game. Never has been. He’s a natural playmaker first. If you’re using shots as the only metric to judge him, its disingenuous at best, at worst you just don’t know the player.

LMFAO. Excuse me?? One year before we drafted him.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I don’t like arguing with fellow fans and, contrary to what it may look like, I don’t dislike Laf. I just don’t have any eggs in that basket anymore - I’ll be thrilled to be wrong, and it isn’t a vendetta or dislike of the player - for me, he just does nothing and I’m not a believer anymore. I’ll leave it at that.

However, when we have our next 1OA pick (in 2040, because why not), this guy will not disappoint. Promise. Although redden up those cheeks and throw a beard on him and he’s looking like Laf most games in this pic View attachment 636799

Get him a righty stick, he’s holding it the wrong way

 

[QJL]

That is just flat out wrong. If that’s what you’re coming away with, you’re not paying as close attention as you think.

I haven’t missed a minute of Rangers hockey and Lafreniere hasn’t done a single impressive thing for a month. His nifty power play pass to Zibanejad yesterday may be his best moment in that span. Sad stuff.

 

[Crease]

LMFAO. Excuse me?? One year before we drafted him.

“Top-end speed. Pull-away gear.”

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

LMFAO. Excuse me?? One year before we drafted him.

Lmfao?? Where's the slam dunk dude?

This literally completely supports my position. He's a playmaker first - shots on goal as the only metric to judge him is downright ridiculous.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

LMFAO. Excuse me?? One year before we drafted him.

What's interesting about this scouting analysis (not sure who the scout is) is what the scout notes about his game.

"He's great at carrying the puck and leading rushes and executes under pressure, has great vision and anticipation. Lafreniere offers high-end puck skills and vision to create plays . . ." This part of his game has been completely neutered, either by his own lack of confidence or by the organization system.

 

[ReddestRum]

Lmfao?? Where's the slam dunk dude?

This literally completely supports my position. He's a playmaker first - shots on goal as the only metric to judge him is downright ridiculous.

You said generating shots isn't his game and never has been.

You can still shoot and be a playmaker. 261 shots in 52 games at junior level is insane. He's obviously not playmaking shit right now, so the other best thing to cling to is if he's making chances for himself rather than relying on his passing (which also needs work). He moved up from averaging 12-13 mins a game, to playing 18+ a piece vs MTL and MINN and didn't record a single shot. I would judge him on that metric alone, especially since the stans have been calling for more TOI and PP time.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

You said generating shots isn't his game and never has been.

You can still shoot and be a playmaker. 261 shots in 52 games at junior level is insane. He's obviously not playmaking shit right now, so the other best thing to cling to is if he's making chances for himself rather than relying on his passing (which also needs work). He moved up from averaging 12-13 mins a game, to playing 18+ a piece vs MTL and MINN and didn't record a single shot. I would judge him on that metric alone, especially since the stans have been calling for more TOI and PP time.

You're free to judge him on his shots on goal alone, that's your prerogative. I just think it's a crazy way to judge him. Over such a small sample size makes that even crazier. Ya'll can cherry pick anything you want to make him look bad, and I'm not here saying he's lighting the world on fire but some posters on here are way too hyper focused on every little thing he does. Adapting to the NHL takes time. Him having 6 shots in the past 4 games that he's been playing more minutes/PP time is not a strong metric for his entire careers trajectory.

 

[ReddestRum]

What's interesting about this scouting analysis (not sure who the scout is) is what the scout notes about his game.

"He's great at carrying the puck and leading rushes and executes under pressure, has great vision and anticipation. Lafreniere offers high-end puck skills and vision to create plays . . ." This part of his game has been completely neutered, either by his own lack of confidence or by the organization system.

I'll see if I can find the source. I think that most scouts, if not all, had the same kind of writeup for him. I wouldn't be surprised. Yakupov got sparkling reviews in scouting as well.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

“Top-end speed. Pull-away gear.”

“Exceptionally smart”

 

[ReddestRum]

You're free to judge him on his shots on goal alone, that's your prerogative. I just think it's a crazy way to judge him. Over such a small sample size makes that even crazier. Ya'll can cherry pick anything you want to make him look bad, and I'm not here saying he's lighting the world on fire but some posters on here are way too hyper focused on every little thing he does. Adapting to the NHL takes time. Him having 6 shots in the past 4 games that he's been playing more minutes/PP time is not a strong metric for his entire careers trajectory.

In last night's game, I watched Laf skate past the blue line alone with one defender slightly back and parallel to him. Even by Laf standards I thought he'd take it straight to the net. He absolutely had room to try. Kakko, Chy, or even Miller would have.

Instead, he dawdles to the circle and does a cross ice pass to NO ONE. His confidence is screwed. You don't need to cherry pick with Laf. There's quite a few things that wrong with his game right now, and shooting is one of them. Probably his biggest alongside his skating speed. Guys that get into slumps need to shoot. He hasn't taken more than 5 shots in a game this year. He's made 1 shot on goal or less in 24 games this season.

We are as hyperfocused on Laf as any other fan, on any other board, concerning their 1OAs.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

This is generally true about prospects. It is not generally true about 1OAs.

People are making legitimate criticism about a specific player.

Even if it is not "generally true about 1OAs," taking a player who is playing a specific way, and arguing that the player will continue to play that way (i.e., Lafreniere is struggling, he will continue to struggle) is always going to be a safer bet than the alternative. You can always fall back on the current play of the player as a reason for the concerns you had "at the time." Take Daniel Jones. Coming into this season, every single Giants fan I knew wanted to move on from Jones. I kept saying to give Jones some time, he has a new coach, etc. He has skills. "What skills??? All he does is fumble! He has no pocket presence!" Well, look what happened. He matured and developed. I didn't predict that - I just told them to calm down and be a little patient. New York fans are NEVER patient, and it's why we are constantly mired in mediocrity, while smaller market teams have the time and ability to properly develop young players without media and fan pressures.

Here's the thing about this debate, and most of the activity on this board has been in this thread lately or I would just stop reading it, but it's getting tiresome. I am going to be patient with the kid. You don't have to be. I have reservations that he will ever reach his potential, but I'm not going to give up on him, because there are other factors in play here and from the context of the situation, as a whole, I can see reasons for the issues. They have been reiterated over and over in this thread and treated as excuses, even if the reasons are legitimate. Calling something an "excuse" is just a cop out because you don't want to hear the reasons. The line between a reason for something and an excuse is finer than the line between confidence and arrogance. Proclaiming Lafreniere a bust at this juncture of his career is premature. Period. He hasn't even finished his ELC yet.

Here's to hoping he can turn his career around and satisfy all of you to your liking.

 

[Synergy27]

Although redden up those cheeks and throw a beard on him and he’s looking like Laf most games in this pic