Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[Synergy27]

I’m still trying to figure out who mas is confusing Kyle Connor with. Connor is a rangy, slick puck handling sniper, not an elite grinder type. What am I missing?

 

[AirGut]

Ehhh … Canadian National team is a lot harder to crack than the Finnish or Czech one. Much more competition. But I do agree with your comment on his attitude.

that's what I was thinking, until I found out both Lawson Crouse and Sammy Blais made the team. Lafreniere just doesn't seem to have the same drive that other players do and that is more evident now than ever. I think he's the type of guy that only really cares when it's a perfect situation or environment for him. He'll give 100%, when he, and only he, wants to. I'm sure Drury realizes this by now but we most likely will give him 1 more year to really prove it. And I hope he does.

So far this off-season the guy is living it up on the golf courses and in the MTL clubs right now, I fear he's going to pull a Dubois if we don't strike first and take him out of the equation.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

I’m still trying to figure out who mas is confusing Kyle Connor with. Connor is a rangy, slick puck handling sniper, not an elite grinder type. What am I missing?

Human error.

Laf needs to use his head, his dump truck and his shot. And there is a star somewhere in there.

 

[CasusBelli]

that's what I was thinking, until I found out both Lawson Crouse and Sammy Blais made the team. Lafreniere just doesn't seem to have the same drive that other players do and that is more evident now than ever. I think he's the type of guy that only really cares when it's a perfect situation or environment for him. He'll give 100%, when he, and only he, wants to. I'm sure Drury realizes this by now but we most likely will give him 1 more year to really prove it. And I hope he does.

So far this off-season the guy is living it up on the golf courses and in the MTL clubs right now, I fear he's going to pull a Dubois if we don't strike first and take him out of the equation.

In that case … just wow.

 

[mas0764]

You must be thinking of someone else because Connor is a great skater and a great shooter who scores goals with his shot and speed.

I mean, I don’t watch Winnipeg Jets games in massive quantities, but I see Laf’s best stuff in these highlights all day…. Laf just has to do it more consistently. These are exactly the type of goals Lafreniere scores.

 

[ReddestRum]

I mean, I don’t watch Winnipeg Jets games in massive quantities, but I see Laf’s best stuff in these highlights all day…. Laf just has to do it more consistently. These are exactly the type of goals Lafreniere scores.

​

Anyone here have a running tally of great players that people have compared Laf to?

 

[Shadowtron]

​

Anyone here have a running tally of great players that people have compared Laf to?

They haven’t compared him to Gordie Howe. Yet lol

 

[ReddestRum]

They haven’t compared him to Gordie Howe. Yet lol

I see myself in some of Gretzky's best highlights too. Especially the part where I can shoot a puck, skate on ice, and take almost professional-like drinks from my water bottle.

 

[Synergy27]

I mean, I don’t watch Winnipeg Jets games in massive quantities, but I see Laf’s best stuff in these highlights all day…. Laf just has to do it more consistently. These are exactly the type of goals Lafreniere scores.

You know what. I’m seeing it now. Connor and Laf both look like 70s male porn stars.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Also of note..lafs d+2 year was when Gallant became coachZ


Hughes started developing and Laff suddenly stagnated.

Im not absolving Laf here. He definitely needs to be more motivated and aggressive. But i 100% believe gallant stunted the f*** out of his development and mentally.

Its also no coincidence that two stud top 2 picks completely stalled in development when gallant became coach and both look mentally lost.

Once your head is checked out the body follows and i 100% believe gallant destroyed these two mentally and gave no good feedback for growth.

But we shall see. I honestly wouldt be surprised with huge growth from both of them this year depending on the hire.

Laf is not Hughes. They are as opposite as it gets. Coaching didn't stop Laf from having Hughes, skating, puck handling and vision. If we passed up Hughes for Laf I would be upset but we never had a chance at Hughes. My hope is Laf finds a Crosby like work ethic so we can have the best version of Laf.

 

[The Gloaming]

Ehhh … Canadian National team is a lot harder to crack than the Finnish or Czech one. Much more competition. But I do agree with your comment on his attitude.

Doesn't Canada have Milan Lucic playing for them? This ain't the Olympics.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Laf is not Hughes. They are as opposite as it gets. Coaching didn't stop Laf from having Hughes, skating, puck handling and vision. If we passed up Hughes for Laf I would be upset but we never had a chance at Hughes. My hope is Laf finds a Crosby like work ethic so we can have the best version of Laf.

And how often do people pull that work ethic out of their ass mid twenties?

I'd argue that's something in you, which can hardly be taught.

 

[LOFIN]

Lafreniere isn't playing for Canada at the Worlds,
Kakko/Chytil are both playing for their country right now at the worlds

doesn't this tell you something?

Yes, it tells you Lafreniere doesn't have a contract. A player would be mad to play and risk an injury without a contract.

 

[Rangers in 7]

Yes, it tells you Lafreniere doesn't have a contract. A player would be mad to play and risk an injury without a contract.

This has been discussed before and it why he’s not there

If he were to get injured without a contract it would be horrible for him

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

Yes, it tells you Lafreniere doesn't have a contract. A player would be mad to play and risk an injury without a contract.

i get it. whatever his market value is now the odds are most likely will only go lower through injury or shoddy play.

one guy that i will paying close on team canada is michael carcone. a ufa. skate speed is real good, is tough and ahl scoring champ fwiw.

 

[JHS]

How is this bender not on the team Canada IIHF roster??! Maybe he could not make it?

 

[LORDE]

He had one less point than Kakko. Hardly a reason to push him out the door

Once again, you're confusing points with ability.

Laf gets SOME points because he's THERE

He doesn't create anything for his linemates or for himself.

 

[Crease]

How is this bender not on the team Canada IIHF roster??! Maybe he could not make it?

He’s between contracts and if he gets hurt at the tournament it will be an enormous problem for him in negotiations.

 

[JHS]

He’s between contracts and if he gets hurt at the tournament it will be an enormous problem for him in negotiations.

Sure but he’s also awful which will be a really big problem for him in his contract negotiations

 

[MrAlmost]

Is there anyone or anything confirming this "on the golf course, Montreal nightlife only" that Laf is supposedly skipping training/the WC for? Is there any confirmation that Canada even asked him to play the WC?

 

[ReddestRum]

Is there anyone or anything confirming this "on the golf course, Montreal nightlife only" that Laf is supposedly skipping training/the WC for? Is there any confirmation that Canada even asked him to play the WC?

Not sure if anyone would hear any news about that.

People keep saying he has no contract, but the 22-23 season hasn't ended and the WC will be over long before contract negotiations complete for the league. If Laf got hurt trying to be a better hockey player then it's not like the NHL dumps him on the street to die penniless. It's just another excuse in the long list of Laf excuses. I get it though. He doesn't want to risk his 1x1 contract that he absolutely deserves for 23-24.

 

[LOFIN]

Not sure if anyone would hear any news about that.

People keep saying he has no contract, but the 22-23 season hasn't ended and the WC will be over long before contract negotiations complete for the league. If Laf got hurt trying to be a better hockey player then it's not like the NHL dumps him on the street to die penniless. It's just another excuse in the long list of Laf excuses. I get it though. He doesn't want to risk his 1x1 contract that he absolutely deserves for 23-24.

It's not an excuse, when literally no player without contract is playing (I think Ovie did once). Hell, Elias Petterson is under contract and he didn't get to play because Vancouver wanted the insurance to cover whatever his future contract will be, and no company was willing to do that.

 

[ReddestRum]

It's not an excuse, when literally no player without contract is playing (I think Ovie did once). Hell, Elias Petterson is under contract and he didn't get to play because Vancouver wanted the insurance to cover whatever his future contract will be, and no company was willing to do that.

Elias is an a 7.4 million dollar, second highest paid Canuck who is RFA at the end of his contract.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I mean, I don’t watch Winnipeg Jets games in massive quantities, but I see Laf’s best stuff in these highlights all day…. Laf just has to do it more consistently. These are exactly the type of goals Lafreniere scores.

 

[NickyFotiu]

And how often do people pull that work ethic out of their ass mid twenties?

I'd argue that's something in you, which can hardly be taught.

Maybe not often but in my life and in sports I have seen people go from way out of shape to work out warriors so anything is possible. There is no can't. Just will or will not.