Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[Foxy]

He didn't do much the previous 2 games either.

He played a big part in the Zib goal vs the Devils, causing chaos in front of the net that lead to the loose puck. Then against the Jets he blocked the shot that sent it the other way and lead to Kreider's goal. So in the previous 2 games he played a big part in 2 of our 6 goals at 5v5.

 

[TheDirtyH]

How so?

I think you'd get more out of that if you asked yourself that question than if I explained

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't know where you find the actual stats on linemates. Can you point me there? I'm curious if at this point this season Lafreniere has spent more games on a line with Mika and Kreider or a combination of third and fourth liners. I mean he could have spent 30% of his games with his "most common" linemates but still 70% of the games with combos of guys who can't score or set him up for shit...

He's just sour because his main boy is a cry baby and his other one got kabonked into protocol last night.

 

[DanielBrassard]

5 assists in 55 games for a number 1 overall pick, "elite playmaker" but people are making excuses for it. 14 career assists in 112 career games. Never in my life. I want Lafreniere to succeed, mainly because if he was what he was touted to be the Rangers would be in a much better position than they are. Maybe he's just been really bad at setting his linemates up? Nah, couldn't be possible. He's played more with Kreider and Zibanejad than he has with Gauthier BTW.

 

[ReddestRum]

5 assists in 55 games for a number 1 overall pick, "elite playmaker" but people are making excuses for it. 14 career assists in 112 career games. Never in my life. I want Lafreniere to succeed, mainly because if he was what he was touted to be the Rangers would be in a much better position than they are. Maybe he's just been really bad at setting his linemates up? Nah, couldn't be possible. He's played more with Kreider and Zibanejad than he has with Gauthier BTW.

There's nothing even remotely elite about Laf right now. 3rd in his draft class in points among players that have played more than 50 games, but with 111 (as of yesterday) games played. At this rate, he's going to get passed by the guys under him. A few of them before they're even near their 100 game mark.

Laf is barely average at best.

 

[Foxy]

I don't know where you find the actual stats on linemates. Can you point me there? I'm curious if at this point this season Lafreniere has spent more games on a line with Mika and Kreider or a combination of third and fourth liners. I mean he could have spent 30% of his games with his "most common" linemates but still 70% of the games with combos of guys who can't score or set him up for shit...

You're close, according to moneypuck. He's spent about 190 Mins with Mika and Kreider. 310 Mins with some combo of Goodrow, Chytil, Gauthier, Strome, Hunt & Blais. Then about 20 Mins with Strome and Bread. So only counting him with Mika and Kreider and Strome and Bread, he's spent about 40% of his time with good linemates.

 

[bhamill]

There's nothing even remotely elite about Laf right now. 3rd in his draft class in points among players that have played more than 50 games, but with 111 (as of yesterday) games played. At this rate, he's going to get passed by the guys under him. A few of them before they're even near their 100 game mark.

Laf is barely average at best.

None of the top six you've listed there look elite RIGHT NOW. Including Lafreniere. But I'm not sure how Laf is "average at best" in that class... especially when 80% of the class has not made the NHL for 50 games. He's obviously scored more points than 90% of that draft class that's not average. Or are you saying he looks like an average NHLer right now one and a half seasons after his draft? Anyway, I get it people are wanting more. I want more. But I honestly believe he will be the best of that group when all is said and done. You are free to differ.

 

[bhamill]

You're close, according to moneypuck. He's spent about 190 Mins with Mika and Kreider. 310 Mins with some combo of Goodrow, Chytil, Gauthier, Strome, Hunt & Blais. Then about 20 Mins with Strome and Bread. So only counting him with Mika and Kreider and Strome and Bread, he's spent about 40% of his time with good linemates.

Thanks. "Most Common Linemates" seemed a bit misleading to me.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He was stripped of several points and his first NHL goal, his metrics were miles ahead of Laf in virtually every category. His linemates were Howden & Rooney, Laf’s most common linemates this season have been Kreider & Mika. Why does the AHL hold more weight than the KHL? He’s one of the skill players who plays up to his competition, the AHL is a grinders league. Even in his preseason 2019 where he was our best player when asked why he didn’t celly after scoring he said it’s just the preseason what’s there to celebrate about? That’s his mindset, he’s the kind of player who will play better the higher the competition is. Demonstrated by the fact he’s the most productive playoff player in KHL history at his age. Kravtsov’s excellent KHL production is irrelevant? Go back and read those GDT’s from those 20 games man. NOBODY thinks Laf looks better than Krav did, until some developed a bias against Krav because of what happened.

You tend to blur the lines when comparing these players who are in different age groups. Here's an overview of their production sorted based on age group.

D+1
Kravtsov: 21 in 50 (0.42 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 23 in 66 (0.35 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 21 in 56 (0.36 P/GP) in NHL

D+2
Kravtsov: 3 in 11 (0.27 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 17 in 48 (0.35 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 18 in 55 (0.33 P/GP in NHL

D+3
Kravtsov: 4 in 20 (0.20 P/GP) in NHL
Kakko: 13 in 37 (0.38 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 2022-23

D+4
Kravtsov: 13 in 19 (0.68 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 2022-23
Lafrenière: 2023-24

 

[NikC]

None of the top six you've listed there look elite RIGHT NOW. Including Lafreniere. But I'm not sure how Laf is "average at best" in that class... especially when 80% of the class has not made the NHL for 50 games. He's obviously scored more points than 90% of that draft class that's not average. Or are you saying he looks like an average NHLer right now one and a half seasons after his draft? Anyway, I get it people are wanting more. I want more. But I honestly believe he will be the best of that group when all is said and done. You are free to differ.

i want to believe the best for Laffy and KK... but if we don't see them start to turn it on next season... they NYR are it ALOT of trouble...

 

[The Crypto Guy]

i want to believe the best for Laffy and KK... but if we don't see them start to turn it on next season... they NYR are it ALOT of trouble...

We have seen that already this season.

Kakko was looking extremely well before playing through a broken bone in his wrist, and Laf has looked much better than the first half of the season.

 

[NikC]

We have seen that already this season.

Kakko was looking extremely well before playing through a broken bone in his wrist, and Laf has looked much better than the first half of the season.

noted. but it's been modest. KK and Laffy just don't have effective linemates IMO. they may not be ready for consistent first and second line duty... but they are playing with guys that make them better and they're not ready to "take over" games with their skills.

 

[TheDirtyH]

You guys just need to learn to the microscope off of him and be patient.

Bust or not it's such a dumb and early conversation to have

 

[bhamill]

i want to believe the best for Laffy and KK... but if we don't see them start to turn it on next season... they NYR are it ALOT of trouble...

I get you feeling that way, but haven’t they both already STARTED to turn it on?
I mean, sure the longer they go without showing elite talent, the more worrisome it naturally gets, but remember a LOT of players don’t put it all together till more than a couple of years in. Even high draft choices. Huberdeau for instance didn’t even make the NHL till a little earlier than where we are in Laf’s career right now…
Don’t get me wrong, I wanted them both to come right in and burn it up immediately but it’s still early. Laf has played 110 total games. KK just about 150, and he is at about .3 ppg in his very young career. There’s nothing cataclysmic here.

 

[NickyFotiu]

You dont have to be a volume shooter to have a good shot. Laf is not a volume shooter, he's a playmaker.
Laf doesn't take slapshots because he's a wing, but he has a good shot, and again, he's going to primarily look to pass, because thats the style of game he plays.

If you want a volume shooter, look at othmann.
Laf will never shoot the puck 450+ times.
Will he likely still score 30+ goals? I'd say yes.

Huh? There are wings through out NHL history with good slap shots.

 

[will1066]

You tend to blur the lines when comparing these players who are in different age groups. Here's an overview of their production sorted based on age group.

D+1
Kravtsov: 21 in 50 (0.42 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 23 in 66 (0.35 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 21 in 56 (0.36 P/GP) in NHL

D+2
Kravtsov: 3 in 11 (0.27 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 17 in 48 (0.35 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 18 in 55 (0.33 P/GP in NHL

D+3
Kravtsov: 4 in 20 (0.20 P/GP) in NHL
Kakko: 13 in 37 (0.38 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 2022-23

D+4
Kravtsov: 13 in 19 (0.68 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 2022-23
Lafrenière: 2023-24

Your exhaustive counterpoint was really unnecessary. lol That's how far ill-conceived his "comparison" was.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Huh? There are wings through out NHL history with good slap shots.

having a good slapshot and taking it are different things. He gets in the right position and theres rarely a need for it. Forwards who take slapshots typically take them from the point or the bumper on a powerplay with extra space. None of those are where he's been playing or gotten time.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Your exhaustive counterpoint was really unnecessary. lol That's how far ill-conceived his "comparison" was.

I am well aware that the person this was direceted to might not care but hey... Maybe it helps others make the case in different arguments.

 

[EdJovanovski]

You tend to blur the lines when comparing these players who are in different age groups. Here's an overview of their production sorted based on age group.

D+1
Kravtsov: 21 in 50 (0.42 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 23 in 66 (0.35 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 21 in 56 (0.36 P/GP) in NHL

D+2
Kravtsov: 3 in 11 (0.27 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 17 in 48 (0.35 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 18 in 55 (0.33 P/GP in NHL

D+3
Kravtsov: 4 in 20 (0.20 P/GP) in NHL
Kakko: 13 in 37 (0.38 P/GP) in NHL
Lafrenière: 2022-23

D+4
Kravtsov: 13 in 19 (0.68 P/GP) in KHL
Kakko: 2022-23
Lafrenière: 2023-24

Including playoffs, which is where the very clutch Kravtsov shines.

Pre draft
.58 P/GP in KHL

D+1
.43 P/GP in KHL

D+2
.27 P/GP in KHL (very small sample size as he bounced around leagues)

D+3
.52 P/GP in KHL

D+4
.70 P/GP in KHL

Those are great numbers any way you slice it. Those numbers are very much in line with how a potential star would produce at that age in the KHL, Laf & Kakko's are not. Laf & Kakko were also 1st & 2nd overall picks, billed as the most "NHL Ready" prospects possible. They play a "mans game", as the draft broadcast said about Kakko "Room for Improvement: None". Kravtsov was the swing for the fences pick, a reach to take a one dimensional flashy pond hockey player who would be a project. Right now Kravtsov is playing great. And everyone knows the only reason Kakko made the team over Kravtsov in 2019 was because of his draft pedigree, everyone in camp was raving about how Kravtsov was our best player in it. Same goes for his brief NHL stint, he flashed way more high end skill than Laf or Kakko; perhaps I should compile screenshots of the countless posts drooling over him during those GDT's because there is a serious revisionist history about his 20 game stint here. (Not saying from you, you have defended Krav, said both sides carry blame and you kept a level head about everything) but a lot of people allow this situation to cloud their judgement of him as a player.

 

[McRanger92]

Including playoffs, which is where the very clutch Kravtsov shines.

Pre draft
.58 P/GP in KHL

D+1
.43 P/GP in KHL

D+2
.27 P/GP in KHL (very small sample size as he bounced around leagues)

D+3
.52 P/GP in KHL

D+4
.70 P/GP in KHL

Those are great numbers any way you slice it. Those numbers are very much in line with how a potential star would produce at that age in the KHL, Laf & Kakko's are not. Laf & Kakko were also 1st & 2nd overall picks, billed as the most "NHL Ready" prospects possible. They play a "mans game", as the draft broadcast said about Kakko "Room for Improvement: None". Kravtsov was the swing for the fences pick, a reach to take a one dimensional flashy pond hockey player who would be a project. Right now Kravtsov is playing great. And everyone knows the only reason Kakko made the team over Kravtsov in 2019 was because of his draft pedigree, everyone in camp was raving about how Kravtsov was our best player in it. Same goes for his brief NHL stint, he flashed way more high end skill than Laf or Kakko; perhaps I should compile screenshots of the countless posts drooling over him during those GDT's because there is a serious revisionist history about his 20 game stint here. (Not saying from you, you have defended Krav, said both sides carry blame and you kept a level head about everything) but a lot of people allow this situation to cloud their judgement of him as a player.

Do you really need to do this in every thread?

 

[bhamill]

Including playoffs, which is where the very clutch Kravtsov shines.

Pre draft
.58 P/GP in KHL

D+1
.43 P/GP in KHL

D+2
.27 P/GP in KHL (very small sample size as he bounced around leagues)

D+3
.52 P/GP in KHL

D+4
.70 P/GP in KHL

Those are great numbers any way you slice it. Those numbers are very much in line with how a potential star would produce at that age in the KHL, Laf & Kakko's are not. Laf & Kakko were also 1st & 2nd overall picks, billed as the most "NHL Ready" prospects possible. They play a "mans game", as the draft broadcast said about Kakko "Room for Improvement: None". Kravtsov was the swing for the fences pick, a reach to take a one dimensional flashy pond hockey player who would be a project. Right now Kravtsov is playing great. And everyone knows the only reason Kakko made the team over Kravtsov in 2019 was because of his draft pedigree, everyone in camp was raving about how Kravtsov was our best player in it. Same goes for his brief NHL stint, he flashed way more high end skill than Laf or Kakko; perhaps I should compile screenshots of the countless posts drooling over him during those GDT's because there is a serious revisionist history about his 20 game stint here. (Not saying from you, you have defended Krav, said both sides carry blame and you kept a level head about everything) but a lot of people allow this situation to cloud their judgement of him as a player.

Ahaha. Kakko is a better NHLer so far at a younger age. That’s why he made it over Kravtsov who is older and drafted top 10 as well.
They have NHL numbers to compare. KHL numbers do not always translate, just as AHL, SHL Junior and College stats are no lock. I still hope Krav comes in and becomes a great player but I certainly don’t expect him to top out higher than Laf or Kakko, as so far he’s shown less in several ways.

 

[ORRFForever]

I pulled up TSN and see the Rangers have FOUR in the first and I think, "WEW HEW! The kid has to have ONE point".

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Lafreniere continues to improve, liked his game today.

 

[ORRFForever]

Lafreniere continues to improve, liked his game today.

Good to hear. I root for the kid so much - he and Byfield. As a Canadian, it aint easy.

 

[mrmovies779]

Laf had a beautiful backhand pass through 3 players to Miller backdoor,but Miller didn't convert.Laf also drew the penalty that led to the p.p goal