Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[mrmovies779]

That season started in January, Laf was already 19. I'm comparing Krav's rookie season to Laf's 3rd season, NHL experience matters but if you want to compare their D+1s then Kravtsov's stock rose to the point where he was ranked the number one NHL affiliated prospect by TSN and Laf's stock dropped so far he was called even worse than Yakupov. Laf was a 1st overall pick, he was expected to make am immediate impact. Krav was 9th overall and expected to be a "project" and was called a one dimensional prototypical Russian. Yet he's already better than Kakko & Laf defensively which is supposedly the weakness in Kravs game. Their draft status is why they weren't treated as poorly as Krav and weren't sent to the AHL to make room to carry Libor Hajek as an 8th defenseman (which is a very unorthodox number to carry). If we didn't win back to back draft lotteries this organizations treatment of a 9th overall pick would be considered an abomination by all. He's currently sitting while we deploy Leschyshnyhsnsn. People can't have it both ways, saying the expectations shouldn't be higher on Laf or Kakko just because they're 1st & 2nd overall picks while simultaneously justifying the treatment of Krav because he's not as high of a pick as they were. Kakko was the worst player in the NHL in his rookie season. Kravtsov outscored not only him but Zibanejad, Kreider, Strome & Fox in that 2019 preseason. All reports from camp were that Kravtsov was the one blowing the doors off, if they were equal draft picks there is absolutely zero chance Kakko makes the team over Krav. Go back and read the beat writers reports, the threads on here, twitter. Revisionist history as always. Many of Kravs biggest detractors were calling him the best rookie Ranger of ALL TIME in those 20 games lmfao. "Better than Kovalev" Now they claim he sucked in them.

You not only moved the goal posts,you relocated them to a different country.Stop the hate young fella.

 

[romba]

He’s recently genuinely looked like an NHLer, not a one off, but game after game. But some of you still want to focus on his poor play prior, and then claim you don’t have agendas.

I’m tough on Laf and really expected more his first few seasons, but really guys, be a fan ffs and revel in his good looking play goddamnit!

 

[NickyFotiu]

That season started in January, Laf was already 19. I'm comparing Krav's rookie season to Laf's 3rd season, NHL experience matters but if you want to compare their D+1s then Kravtsov's stock rose to the point where he was ranked the number one NHL affiliated prospect by TSN and Laf's stock dropped so far he was called even worse than Yakupov. Laf was a 1st overall pick, he was expected to make am immediate impact. Krav was 9th overall and expected to be a "project" and was called a one dimensional prototypical Russian. Yet he's already better than Kakko & Laf defensively which is supposedly the weakness in Kravs game. Their draft status is why they weren't treated as poorly as Krav and weren't sent to the AHL to make room to carry Libor Hajek as an 8th defenseman (which is a very unorthodox number to carry). If we didn't win back to back draft lotteries this organizations treatment of a 9th overall pick would be considered an abomination by all. He's currently sitting while we deploy Leschyshnyhsnsn. People can't have it both ways, saying the expectations shouldn't be higher on Laf or Kakko just because they're 1st & 2nd overall picks while simultaneously justifying the treatment of Krav because he's not as high of a pick as they were. Kakko was the worst player in the NHL in his rookie season. Kravtsov outscored not only him but Zibanejad, Kreider, Strome & Fox in that 2019 preseason. All reports from camp were that Kravtsov was the one blowing the doors off, if they were equal draft picks there is absolutely zero chance Kakko makes the team over Krav. Go back and read the beat writers reports, the threads on here, twitter. Revisionist history as always. Many of Kravs biggest detractors were calling him the best rookie Ranger of ALL TIME in those 20 games lmfao. "Better than Kovalev" Now they claim he sucked in them.

Drury and Gallant were not GM nor coach in 2019 so who do you blame for Krav being sent down? The preseason has its pluses but it is not everything. Have you ever heard of Alex Bachman? He had an amazing preseason. He blew all the other NY Giants WR away in preseason. It was not even close. I think he had 11 catches in 1 game alone. I still think he can play in the NFL but I do not think he played a single down in the regular season. While I still like him the point is preseason is preseason. It is not the same as the regular season. Also you have me curious. Can you post these outstanding preseason stats from 2019. Just the games played, goals scored, assists, and points will do. Thanks in advance.

 

[NickyFotiu]

My feelings about Laf, KK and Krav have all been the same. Chytil as well. Show me on the ice. For a couple of years I was not thrilled by Chytil. From last years playoffs till now he is showing me on the ice. Last season I got on Laf till he was benched. After that he started playing better. Last offseason I was not thrilled by KK. KK took his benching like a pro and has come back better. My hope is the same for Krav. Just show me on the ice. For me its not about talk, relationships, or emotions. Just go out and do it.

 

[Leonardo87]

Hey Fellas,

The last several posts have been derailing this thread and filled with personal stuff. Recommend to just put people on ignore if you feel you cannot have a civil discussion with them.

If you feel someone is trolling just report it, instead of calling them out in the open.

Thanks

Leo

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

My feelings about Laf, KK and Krav have all been the same. Chytil as well. Show me on the ice. For a couple of years I was not thrilled by Chytil. From last years playoffs till now he is showing me on the ice. Last season I got on Laf till he was benched. After that he started playing better. Last offseason I was not thrilled by KK. KK took his benching like a pro and has come back better. My hope is the same for Krav. Just show me on the ice. For me its not about talk, relationships, or emotions. Just go out and do it.

For me the most encouraging thing about Laf's game is that despite generally being physically outmatched and not able to use his speed as a differential, he has been finding ways to win battles for pucks, get pucks to teammates in scoring areas, and grind out goals against legitimate NHL defenseman by winning battles for loose pucks. And he's been finding ways to put up points while still clearly not near his physical peak.

I still think he has a very high ceiling once he gets a little bit more strength and works on his skating and release a little bit more.

 

[NickyFotiu]

For me the most encouraging thing about Laf's game is that despite generally being physically outmatched and not able to use his speed as a differential, he has been finding ways to win battles for pucks, get pucks to teammates in scoring areas, and grind out goals against legitimate NHL defenseman by winning battles for loose pucks. And he's been finding ways to put up points while still clearly not near his physical peak.

I still think he has a very high ceiling once he gets a little bit more strength and works on his skating and release a little bit more.

If you told me that before last seasons allstar break I would have said I hope you are right but I have not seen much yet. After last seasons all star game and even more after Laf was benched last season is when he started showing more skills. Greatness delayed is not greatness denied. He is never going to be McDavid but he can be an allstar.

 

[ReddestRum]

The take is based on the activity in this thread when he struggles versus when he contributes. It’s a “bump” to force people to confront their impatience.

I don’t see anyone praising those passes he made last night or the effort on his goal to earn us a point. The kid has been great the last 4-5 games if not more


“My opinion can change should he really breakout” lololol, just write “I’m impatient and want immediate results” and delete the rest

I call it fair. Period. When he plays like shit, I call it out. When fans coddle him, don't realize he needs to work on his game, and blame everyone else but the player himself, I call it out. When he has been a mediocre player for half the season, then finally finds chemistry with KK and Chy, then people come in here claiming he's the second coming of Jesus, I call it out. When he plays well and does things indicative of a 1OA, I'll also call that out. I literally just got on the board tonight after an early out last night, so forgive me for not tripping over myself by saying that he played well because he's shooting. Literally been saying he needs to shoot more and pass less because he can't rely on others to finish and Chy certainly wasn't finishing shit last night.

I love the insinuation that people who haven't bought into Laf as a superstar yet are somehow stewing over him playing well. Oh, I'm also not going to over-praise a hockey player for playing hockey. Laf is not the only one on the team that can pass and shoot, and I hope for our sakes, that he's already mastered that rudimentary hockey skill.

 

[bhamill]

I call it fair. Period. When he plays like shit, I call it out. When fans coddle him, don't realize he needs to work on his game, and blame everyone else but the player himself, I call it out. When he has been a mediocre player for half the season, then finally finds chemistry with KK and Chy, then people come in here claiming he's the second coming of Jesus, I call it out. When he plays well and does things indicative of a 1OA, I'll also call that out. I literally just got on the board tonight after an early out last night, so forgive me for not tripping over myself by saying that he played well because he's shooting. Literally been saying he needs to shoot more and pass less because he can't rely on others to finish and Chy certainly wasn't finishing shit last night.

I love the insinuation that people who haven't bought into Laf as a superstar yet are somehow stewing over him playing well. Oh, I'm also not going to over-praise a hockey player for playing hockey. Laf is not the only one on the team that can pass and shoot, and I hope for our sakes, that he's already mastered that rudimentary hockey skill.

Yeah, honestly, while you seem to fall on the more, shall we say, pessimistic side when it comes to Laf, I wouldn’t say you are totally unfair or anything. I mean there ARE posters who have literally called him a bust, said he’ll be playing in Europe by his mid 20’s or a career 4th liner, etc, that isn’t you. But it shouldn’t be hard to understand why people would post a “bust amirite” or such for THOSE folks. Personally I try not to do stuff like that because it’s kind of a waste of energy and space. And this place is more enjoyable to me when we aren’t taking digs at each other.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

Lundmark and Brendl had really better pick it up... and for anyone offended I raise one Malhotra and a middle finger.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Laf, KK, Kravtsov are all top 10 picks. So you guys are either bad at drafting, bad at player development, or both.

How much can you reasonable expect from 20 yo kids playing on a third line?

You can see talent regardless of line. You put a Crosby or Kovalev on the 3rd line and the first thing people would say is wow. These kids are doing better as each season comes along. They are not first line players at this point. They have been playing near second line minutes for a while. In fact in even strength minutes our top 9 forwards are not dramatically different from each other. Bread leads at 16 EV minutes a game. KK is around 14 EV minutes a game. If our kids are as good as we hope their play should show up just as much in their first, third, ninth and 15th minutes as it would if they played 18 minutes.

 

[Raspewtin]

Laf, KK, Kravtsov are all top 10 picks. So you guys are either bad at drafting, bad at player development, or both.

How much can you reasonable expect from 20 yo kids playing on a third line?

that’s well and good but i’m just here wondering who the f*** asked you ?

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Jack Hughes last night hohum...and we get excited when the kid line cycles the puck in the Ozone. feels bad

 

[Ruggs225]

Jack Hughes last night hohum...and we get excited when the kid line cycles the puck in the Ozone. feels bad

Hughes just took the pass and scored off the tush. It wasnt that impressive. The hard work was done by others.

Of course we would have just flung the puck for an icing instead of trying to make a play. Because we play stoneman hockey.

Edit: not saying he isnt impressive. But he has scored far more impressive goals than this.

 

[68Forever]

Hughes just took the pass and scored off the tush. It wasnt that impressive. The hard work was done by others.

Of course we would have just flung the puck for an icing instead of trying to make a play. Because we play stoneman hockey.

Edit: not saying he isnt impressive. But he has scored far more impressive goals than this.

Also this was against Philly... rmemeber when Zib had like back to back 5 point games... This doesnt really prove much. Lets see what the Devil babies do in the playoffs when each puck battle is brutal.

 

[RonaldNeptune]

Really want Laf to break through but I’m never impressed with the goals he gets, barring that one between the legs. Almost always a bit of luck or a broken play.

 

[Nickmo82]

Really want Laf to break through but I’m never impressed with the goals he gets, barring that one between the legs. Almost always a bit of luck or a broken play.

Yeah, I hate it when players are productive the wrong way.

Do non-highlight reel goals even count?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Really want Laf to break through but I’m never impressed with the goals he gets, barring that one between the legs. Almost always a bit of luck or a broken play.

If it keeps on happening, it isn't luck.

This is like people who say that Ovechkin only scores so much because of his shot volume. If everyone coudl shoot that much, they would.

 

[McRanger92]

Oh look, another thread where Ranger fans are lamenting our players because a Devil that has nothing to do with them is playing well. It's a f***ing epidemic on here and pretty embarrassing

 

[tomobson]

Jack Hughes last night hohum...and we get excited when the kid line cycles the puck in the Ozone. feels bad

You'll be excited when the kid line pins the Hughes line in their own zone for the entire shift.

 

[LORDE]

Laf to me is a poor person's Nash

If we had young Nash that would be fine

We have meh Nash

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Also this was against Philly... rmemeber when Zib had like back to back 5 point games... This doesnt really prove much. Lets see what the Devil babies do in the playoffs when each puck battle is brutal.

6 point games *

 

[jerseyjinx94]

People went from calling him a complete bust when he struggled to crickets when he starts producing.

Then the production is "eh, well, its not pretty plays, not 1st overall plays."

Just let the kid develop. It is what it is, have some patience.

 

[McRanger92]

People went from calling him a complete bust when he struggled to crickets when he starts producing.

Then the production is "eh, well, its not pretty plays, not 1st overall plays."

Just let the kid develop. It is what it is, have some patience.

The Rangers have played the long game with the Kids development. They never asked them to carry the load on their ELCs, and it was by design. Look at how important Kreider and Mika became over time. That's where they want all the Kids to end up.

 

[LORDE]

People went from calling him a complete bust when he struggled to crickets when he starts producing.

Then the production is "eh, well, its not pretty plays, not 1st overall plays."

Just let the kid develop. It is what it is, have some patience.

He's still "meh"

No matter what

Where's the elite in lobbing a shot off a goalies' ass?