Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[bhamill]

If you can show me a 22 year old making 2.5 mil or less who can put up 40 points on the 3rd line with no PP time, be my guest. Trading him doesn't really save any cap space when Goodrow is right there as a cap casualty and your not replacing his production off the scrap heap. So, again, whats the point of moving on right now?

Put up 40 points and throw 140 hits. And that’s assuming no improvement.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

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? I've been saying it, not wanting to believe it, but I do now, Lafreniere doesn't give a f*** about his time in New York. To him, this place is just another obstacle in his life. Get this guy the f*** out of here Drury because it's not going to magically change.

Dude, just stop. He isn't under contract, him like Miller are not playing because they need one. We get it, you don't like Laf, get over it.

 

[MrAlmost]

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.

OK. So if no one knows, why is it being brought up like a matter of fact? I heard the podcast with Vally, and I have even said on this forum Laf needs to train better. However, that doesn't mean he can't or won't and not playing the WC doesn't matter at all. Seems like some hockey forum bullshit.

It's a big off-season for him for sure though. He either comes in at his best, or he fizzles out.

 

[Daves a mess]

Not playing in the world championships. After his playoffs, Rangers should demand that he goes for more confidence. He seems like a lazy 1st overall pick. Shows his character. Pathetic.

T times and tacos are front and center on Lafs summer menu.

 

[UnSandvich]

OK. So if no one knows, why is it being brought up like a matter of fact? I heard the podcast with Vally, and I have even said on this forum Laf needs to train better. However, that doesn't mean he can't or won't and not playing the WC doesn't matter at all. Seems like some hockey forum bullshit.

It's a big off-season for him for sure though. He either comes in at his best, or he fizzles out.

It's being brought up like a matter of fact because it reinforces the narratives certain posters are pushing. That's pretty much it.

 

[McRanger92]

Trading Lafreniere makes sense. Some team will overpay or give fair value. You don’t need everyone on the kid line to hit and one of Othmann, Cuylle, Sykora will be a solid top-6 contributor. They might take a winger in this draft. Maybe they move him on draft day.

Lafreniere had his best season in a contract year but in retrospect it was decent at best and he was inconsistent. He knows he’s not becoming a star here and Kakko may have jumped him. Any smart agent with look at his 5v5 p/60 and realize AL can score 60-65 pts playing 18+ a night and PP1 on a bad team or wannabe. That will get him paid. Only way he gets paid as a middle-six winger here is if Rangers win the Cup. Lafreniere’s cost himself with an unproductive postseason.

He’ll be a good NHL’er and score 30g a season. Just not here. Maybe give him one more year just to play it safe.

This is the best case I’ve heard yet for dealing him

 

[JHS]

Even if he’s between contracts what does this guy want from his next contract? He’s certainly not getting anything more than a 2 year deal max at something around 1-1.5 mil a season. I mean that’s it because 40 point, slow, grind type wingers are a dime a dozen in the NHL and I’ve seen nothing than would convince me he’s anything but exactly that

 

[bleedblue94]

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? I've been saying it, not wanting to believe it, but I do now, Lafreniere doesn't give a f*** about his time in New York. To him, this place is just another obstacle in his life. Get this guy the f*** out of here Drury because it's not going to magically change.

Players don't go when they are pending free agents bc of the contract status and possible insurance complications if there is an injury.

 

[bhamill]

Players don't go when they are pending free agents bc of the contract status and possible insurance complications if there is an injury.

Right. It’s not because of his CURRENT expiring contract, it’s because he has to get a new one in the off season, if he blows out his knee at worlds, where does that leave him? Possibly with zero, certainly puts a negative wrinkle in it for him. Honestly it would be downright stupid for him to risk that.

 

[JHS]

Right. It’s not because of his CURRENT expiring contract, it’s because he has to get a new one in the off season, if he blows out his knee at worlds, where does that leave him? Possibly with zero, certainly puts a negative wrinkle in it for him. Honestly it would be downright stupid for him to risk that.

The guy has nothing to lose- he’s shown he’s likely the worst top pick in recent NHL history, has no skill set that distinguishes himself beyond a mid level NHL player and essentially by not showing any initiative in the prior 3 off seasons and now electing to sit out this tournament is leaving Drury with few options and certainly no belief the guy actually wants to or can improve his already poor skills( comparative to other top picks.)

Like maybe if he went to this tournament and lit it up and by some miraculous combination of planetary alignment and low skill of opponents he’s got like 5 goals in the tournament maybe he could help his contract. But, like everything with Laf- he’s elected to take the easy way out and sink further into oblivion!

I mean does anyone really think this guy is ever going to be half as good as McDavid? Crosby? Heck even Hughes at this point?!?!

I’m increasingly convinced he never skates another game for the Rangers.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Even if he’s between contracts what does this guy want from his next contract? He’s certainly not getting anything more than a 2 year deal max at something around 1-1.5 mil a season. I mean that’s it because 40 point, slow, grind type wingers are a dime a dozen in the NHL and I’ve seen nothing than would convince me he’s anything but exactly that

He's getting more than 1-1.5 lmao.

 

[bhamill]

The guy has nothing to lose- he’s shown he’s likely the worst top pick in recent NHL history, has no skill set that distinguishes himself beyond a mid level NHL player and essentially by not showing any initiative in the prior 3 off seasons and now electing to sit out this tournament is leaving Drury with few options and certainly no belief the guy actually wants to or can improve his already poor skills( comparative to other top picks.)

Like maybe if he went to this tournament and lit it up and by some miraculous combination of planetary alignment and low skill of opponents he’s got like 5 goals in the tournament maybe he could help his contract. But, like everything with Laf- he’s elected to take the easy way out and sink further into oblivion!

I mean does anyone really think this guy is ever going to be half as good as McDavid? Crosby? Heck even Hughes at this point?!?!

I’m increasingly convinced he never skates another game for the Rangers.

He literally has millions to lose. He has no contract and his next would be 2x2m at a minimum. If he blows out a knee he’s jeapordizing that. That is 4 million reasons not to risk serious injury. The rest of what you posted has zero to do with what I said.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

The guy has nothing to lose- he’s shown he’s likely the worst top pick in recent NHL history, has no skill set that distinguishes himself beyond a mid level NHL player and essentially by not showing any initiative in the prior 3 off seasons and now electing to sit out this tournament is leaving Drury with few options and certainly no belief the guy actually wants to or can improve his already poor skills( comparative to other top picks.)

Like maybe if he went to this tournament and lit it up and by some miraculous combination of planetary alignment and low skill of opponents he’s got like 5 goals in the tournament maybe he could help his contract. But, like everything with Laf- he’s elected to take the easy way out and sink further into oblivion!

I mean does anyone really think this guy is ever going to be half as good as McDavid? Crosby? Heck even Hughes at this point?!?!

I’m increasingly convinced he never skates another game for the Rangers.

most guys in the league would bust loads if they were being half as good as mcdavid.

if this kid is 1/2 as good as mcdavid he would have his diehards campaign for league mvp consideration.

not even good enought to be as 1/2 as good as timmy stoots. it might get to the point that he would be lucky to be 1/2 as good as dawson mercer

 

[ElLeetch]

Forget his name and where he was drafted.

How much value is held in a player being a 0.5PPG producer at the NHL at the age of 21?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Forget his name and where he was drafted.

How much value is held in a player being a 0.5PPG producer at the NHL at the age of 21?

A very good amount.

 

[Trxjw]

Proposing trading Lafreniere for a draft pick to take a forward after the team has shown an almost comical lack of ability to develop forwards is certainly something.

 

[duhmetreE]

IF he takes it seriously and develops physically, we will see more of that #1OA status. He'd approach 30 goals and 70pts next season IMO

Or he can be lazy and content with a couple million, still act like a child and repeat what he's done the past few years with slight improvements.

I think his point total would naturally increase if he was playing with more consistent linemates. He was setting up Kakko and Chytil throughout the season but they were ice cold.

I don't care that he's not at the WC. I do care if he's not planning an intense training protocol over the summer. 3-4 months to improve physically. He needs to become a man and stop being a manchild. I still have hopes, like a MacKinnon in his d+5 year. Like Bennett currently. I'll take something in between

 

[IDvsEGO]

IF he takes it seriously and develops physically, we will see more of that #1OA status. He'd approach 30 goals and 70pts next season IMO

Or he can be lazy and content with a couple million, still act like a child and repeat what he's done the past few years with slight improvements.

Aside from actual joking around on the bench at times, have we ever had a hint that he doesn’t take things serious?
there’s never been a hint of him lacking any degree of work ethic, or a lack of desire.
This isn’t like Mika who was reported to consider hockey his 2nd priority. Everything about Laf screamed work ethic before he was drafted. He plays hard, he doesn’t do lazy

Do people dislike that he hasn’t been a 40/60/100 so far, but he’s 21 . He just put up basically a 40 pt season with almost 0 pp time, and he absolutely flashed.
He out produced Ck at even strength. He’s not a bust, he’s buried. A good coach will push his development.

 

[chosen]

Aside from actual joking around on the bench at times, have we ever had a hint that he doesn’t take things serious?
there’s never been a hint of him lacking any degree of work ethic, or a lack of desire.
This isn’t like Mika who was reported to consider hockey his 2nd priority. Everything about Laf screamed work ethic before he was drafted. He plays hard, he doesn’t do lazy

Do people dislike that he hasn’t been a 40/60/100 so far, but he’s 21 . He just put up basically a 40 pt season with almost 0 pp time, and he absolutely flashed.
He out produced Ck at even strength. He’s not a bust, he’s buried. A good coach will push his development.

Zero indication that he doesn't take things seriously.

Some people just like to spew bullshit when they know absolutely nothing of the reality. They think they have attained glorious insights from the comforts of their couch.

Same ones who say the league is biased against their team, the refs have it in for them blah, blah, blah.

Check Toronto fans and Edmonton fans, today. Lots of them opine that Bettman doesn't want a Canadian team to win the Cup. Every fanbase has morons.

My personal favorites are the ones that believe the results are determined by the play of the team they root for. They can't understand that there is another team on the ice that impacts the results.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

I understand the concerns. But Laf will be fine. He will be very good... if the organization figures out how to hire a coaching staff that allows these kids to blossom.

It's like Kakko, look at him. Gets away from the Rangers playing for Finland and looks like the high pick he was.

Rangers have an opportunity to not make the same mistakes they made from 92 to 95. Gutting the organization of its high end young players.

 

[chosen]

I understand the concerns. But Laf will be fine. He will be very good... if the organization figures out how to hire a coaching staff that allows these kids to blossom.

It's like Kakko, look at him. Gets away from the Rangers playing for Finland and looks like the high pick he was.

Rangers have an opportunity to not make the same mistakes they made from 92 to 95. Gutting the organization of its high end young players.

I think Kakko has a chance of being a top-line forward. Haven't seen any of the tournament, but according to stats he has 1 point in 2 games, his scoring rate on the Rangers.

Is he looking great?

 

[SA16]

I understand the concerns. But Laf will be fine. He will be very good... if the organization figures out how to hire a coaching staff that allows these kids to blossom.

It's like Kakko, look at him. Gets away from the Rangers playing for Finland and looks like the high pick he was.

Rangers have an opportunity to not make the same mistakes they made from 92 to 95. Gutting the organization of its high end young players.

I'd hope he looks good, playing for Finland, the favorite in the tournament against largely minor league level competition and worse.

 

[JHS]

He's getting more than 1-1.5 lmao.

why? He's not even as good as Kappo- look at Kappo's contract for reference.

 

[JHS]

He literally has millions to lose. He has no contract and his next would be 2x2m at a minimum. If he blows out a knee he’s jeapordizing that. That is 4 million reasons not to risk serious injury. The rest of what you posted has zero to do with what I said.

He's not getting 2 mil from the Rangers- no chance. He's barely worth half that much and if they cave to his draft status they are making a mistake. If this guy were drafted 3rd round- 7th round we would be thrilled but no one would be clamoring for him to get a long term deal worth anything based on what he's done. You just think he's worth the money because he was really good between the ages of 13-17 and got drafted first overall.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

why? He's not even as good as Kappo- look at Kappo's contract for reference.

He will get almost exactly what Kakko got. Ballpark of 2M. You’re going to be very disappointed if you think he’s getting half that.