Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[bhamill]

Wheeler signed here to win? Come on. We aren't the bolts. This is absolutely not a cup contending team as of today.

Was Vegas considered a Cup contender last July 1st?
No NYR would not be considered a favorite right now, but they certainly have a chance.

 

[Levitate]

I would be disappointed if that was his career trajectory, but still a very good NHL player.

To be honest I'd be thrilled at this point if Laf became what JT Miller has been lately. He's a point per game+ player playing important minutes (though his attitude still sucks it sounds like)

I think he kinda slides under the radar now because of the late developing offense and our perspective of him as a Ranger, but he's a dang good offensive player (that said I wouldn't be surprised if his offense declines now for some reason, he doesn't strike me as the most reliable player)

If you mean it takes Laf that long to put up those point totals, then yeah...we kinda need him to figure it out sooner rather than later

 

[haohmaru]

Wheeler signed here to win? Come on. We aren't the bolts. This is absolutely not a cup contending team as of today.

Yeah yeah, everything sucks, the players suck, the team sucks, the coach sucks, etc...

The Bolts lost in the same round we did in less games to an arguably lesser team and, honestly, you're always negative so excuse me if I take your point of view with a grain of salt.

 

[Levitate]

I also dunno if I'd say this is sending Laf a message, but who knows. Realistically I'd rather see him up with Zibanejad and Kakko and slide Kreider down, or play him 2nd line minutes with Trochek, but I dunno
either way it's not a bad thing to address the RW depth when it consists of solely of Kakko at the moment

 

[bleedblue94]

Yeah yeah, everything sucks, the players suck, the team sucks, the coach sucks, etc...

The Bolts lost in the same round we did in less games to an arguably lesser team and, honestly, you're always negative so excuse me if I take your point of view with a grain of salt.

I'm not always negative and the rangers have had 1 good playoff run in how many years? But yeah, players around the league come to nyr to "win"

Was Vegas considered a Cup contender last July 1st?
No NYR would not be considered a favorite right now, but they certainly have a chance.

Absolutely Vegas was. Everyone saw what happened last season with their injuries. Don't pretend they weren't a contender going into the season.

That's not what I'm saying at all. Please read what I wrote instead of responding to things that I haven't said.

Lafreniere is a LW. If he can't successfully play on the right side, then he's the 3rd best LW on this team.



Wheeler signed here because he wants to win not because of anything to do with Lafreniere.

If Laffy can play the right side, I firmly believe he will have every chance to earn that spot. If he doesn't, then he's 3rd on the depth chart on the left side.

What is the top 9 you envision?

 

[will1066]

I also dunno if I'd say this is sending Laf a message, but who knows. Realistically I'd rather see him up with Zibanejad and Kakko and slide Kreider down, or play him 2nd line minutes with Trochek, but I dunno
either way it's not a bad thing to address the RW depth when it consists of solely of Kakko at the moment

Can you really send a message to a guy who sings along to the song playing in the arena while in the box?

 

[Kocur26]

So we all know Drury is bullshitting- part of me thinks lafrenierre would welcome a trade.

 

[haohmaru]

I'm not always negative and the rangers have had 1 good playoff run in how many years? But yeah, players around the league come to nyr to "win"

Weren't you on board with "the letter"? What were you expecting exactly? I'd say a run to the ECF's within a few years of that is pretty successful. Everyone thinks the Rangers are a win now team, including the Rangers and clearly players do too or guys like Kane, Wheeler, and Bonino would've gone elsewhere. The proof is in the pudding.

What is the top 9 you envision?

Posted in the roster building thread a while ago.

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin Chytil Lafreniere
Cuylle (?) Trocheck Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

Nash spare

 

[bhamill]

I'm not always negative and the rangers have had 1 good playoff run in how many years? But yeah, players around the league come to nyr to "win"


Absolutely Vegas was. Everyone saw what happened last season with their injuries. Don't pretend they weren't a contender going into the season.


What is the top 9 you envision?

I’m not pretending anything. I didn’t consider them a contender. In fact going into the playoffs I still didn’t think they’d go far, never mind win the cup. If you did, you were right and I was wrong, but I’m pretending nothing. And I hope you put some money on them.
But how about Florida then. A cup finalist. Ends up they were a contender. Would you say I was pretending if I say I didn’t consider them a contender last July? Thought Boston was, but turns out they didn’t contend. NYR will be a winning team, likely making the playoffs, and then who the f*** knows?

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Weren't you on board with "the letter"? What were you expecting exactly? I'd say a run to the ECF's within a few years of that is pretty successful. Everyone thinks the Rangers are a win now team, including the Rangers and clearly players do too or guys like Kane, Wheeler, and Bonino would've gone elsewhere. The proof is in the pudding.



Posted in the roster building thread a while ago.

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin Chytil Lafreniere
Cuylle (?) Trocheck Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

Nash spare

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin-Trochek-Lafreniere
Cuylle-Chytil-Wheeler
Vesey-Goodrow-Pitlick
Belzile

Bonino traded or waived or in Hartford

 

[Zarao71]

Weren't you on board with "the letter"? What were you expecting exactly? I'd say a run to the ECF's within a few years of that is pretty successful. Everyone thinks the Rangers are a win now team, including the Rangers and clearly players do too or guys like Kane, Wheeler, and Bonino would've gone elsewhere. The proof is in the pudding.



Posted in the roster building thread a while ago.

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin Chytil Lafreniere
Cuylle (?) Trocheck Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

Nash spare

 

[Zarao71]

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin-Trochek-Lafreniere
Cuylle-Chytil-Wheeler
Vesey-Goodrow-Pitlick
Belzile

Bonino traded or waived or in Hartford

I'd rather trade Goodrow and roll with Bonino. Goodrow at 4th line center isn't worth 3.6 Mill.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I'd rather trade Goodrow and roll with Bonino. Goodrow at 4th line center isn't worth 3.6 Mill.

Goodrow is untradeable probably Bonino is terrible.

 

[Zarao71]

Goodrow is untradeable probably Bonino is terrible.

Goodrow PPG last 2 seasons = .39
Bonino PPG Last 2 seasons = .32
Cap savings+$2,841,667

 

[Michal]

After this season Goodrow cap hit will be much lower compared to what other players like him are going to be making as the cap goes up. If we were going to trade him for space the time to do it was this summer or last summer. Now w the cap going up there is no point moving him.

The next offseason will be the best time to move Goodrow as we will need to sign Kakko, Lindgren and Schneider. The projection for salary cap upper limit is 87,7m which might be insufficient to extend all of them.

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Can you really send a message to a guy who sings along to the song playing in the arena while in the box?

that’s been my big issue with him. at least from the fans’ perspective, he has an attitude problem. he’s constantly screwing around and not taking his mediocre play seriously enough. he’s shown no willingness to improve his deficiencies and is being goofy and silly when he shouldn’t be. I remember the helmet strap picture and being annoyed at how unserious he looked. if he were producing I wouldn’t care, but he isn’t so the optics look bad. but again, that’s just the fans’ perspective.

 

[LORDE]

that’s been my big issue with him. at least from the fans’ perspective, he has an attitude problem. he’s constantly screwing around and not taking his mediocre play seriously enough. he’s shown no willingness to improve his deficiencies and is being goofy and silly when he shouldn’t be. I remember the helmet strap picture and being annoyed at how unserious he looked. if he were producing I wouldn’t care, but he isn’t so the optics look bad. but again, that’s just the fans’ perspective.

I'll tell you that from someone inside MSG (TV side) who told me that Laf was "Given up" on by Gallant very early last season. He had enough already.

Laf "Doesn't listen to the vets around him, doesn't put in the work & is fine with just 'being here' instead of working to get better"

 

[Daves a mess]

I'll tell you that from someone inside MSG (TV side) who told me that Laf was "Given up" on by Gallant very early last season. He had enough already.

Laf "Doesn't listen to the vets around him, doesn't put in the work & is fine with just 'being here' instead of working to get better"

Can so picture Laf picking up two packs of Strawberry Snowballs, a six of Mountain Dew, and heading to the beach to check out some chick's, and do some boogie boarding. Then, after a nice nap, some Cheez - It's, frisbee, and beard scratch before lunch.

 

[JHS]

Can’t he just agree to the 1 year 2.5 mil contract already?

 

[Vitto79]

Can’t he just agree to the 1 year 2.5 mil contract already?

2 yr like Kakko and Chytil did

 

[Number 9]

Can you really send a message to a guy who sings along to the song playing in the arena while in the box?

Laf is a really goofy kid. I'm not saying he's stupid but seems unaware. It's not what I want to see from my 1st overall.

 

[bleedblue94]

Weren't you on board with "the letter"? What were you expecting exactly? I'd say a run to the ECF's within a few years of that is pretty successful. Everyone thinks the Rangers are a win now team, including the Rangers and clearly players do too or guys like Kane, Wheeler, and Bonino would've gone elsewhere. The proof is in the pudding.



Posted in the roster building thread a while ago.

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin Chytil Lafreniere
Cuylle (?) Trocheck Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

Nash spare

I was, and I was expecting a natural progression for the young players to build into a contender, not a halfass rebuild that then gets completely backfilled with vets. What the org has done the last 2 years completely undid the letter and rebuild attempt. I would much rather be the sabers or devils right now then the rangers based on the org development, growth of young players into roles, and the longer term outlook for success

 

[bleedblue94]

The next offseason will be the best time to move Goodrow as we will need to sign Kakko, Lindgren and Schneider. The projection for salary cap upper limit is 87,7m which might be insufficient to extend all of them.

You have other players that will also be an option to move at the time. Kreider and trouba both have their ntc dropping to modified. I'm not saying goodrow is more important but what I'm saying is IF laffy takes a step and they need to elevate him and keep the turnover machine panarin then Kreider may be going to make room for those contracts. Who knows what drury is thinking anymore.

 

[bleedblue94]

I’m not pretending anything. I didn’t consider them a contender. In fact going into the playoffs I still didn’t think they’d go far, never mind win the cup. If you did, you were right and I was wrong, but I’m pretending nothing. And I hope you put some money on them.
But how about Florida then. A cup finalist. Ends up they were a contender. Would you say I was pretending if I say I didn’t consider them a contender last July? Thought Boston was, but turns out they didn’t contend. NYR will be a winning team, likely making the playoffs, and then who the f*** knows?

Eek about your read on Vegas. A LOT of people thought it was them or edm coming out of the West this year. It's okay to miss it. We all do at times, but just bc you didn't see Vegas as a threat doesn't mean others around the league didn't.

No one saw Florida except for the last 2 weeks bc they were rolling going into it. Once they beat Boston anything was possible. I didn't expect Boston to do much with how easy the season was for them. Even thinking back to 94 (old I know) that team won the president trophy but they had a battle internally all season. The season was a grind for the players and they were ready for the playoffs. Boston seemed to be easing in. Florida though shows what I mean about the right players vs the best ones. Their lineup just worked properly together. Players had roles and excelled at them to help the group. Our roster adds continue to be point totals, name value, jersey sales. I hate that

 

[bhamill]

Eek about your read on Vegas. A LOT of people thought it was them or edm coming out of the West this year. It's okay to miss it. We all do at times, but just bc you didn't see Vegas as a threat doesn't mean others around the league didn't.

No one saw Florida except for the last 2 weeks bc they were rolling going into it. Once they beat Boston anything was possible. I didn't expect Boston to do much with how easy the season was for them. Even thinking back to 94 (old I know) that team won the president trophy but they had a battle internally all season. The season was a grind for the players and they were ready for the playoffs. Boston seemed to be easing in. Florida though shows what I mean about the right players vs the best ones. Their lineup just worked properly together. Players had roles and excelled at them to help the group. Our roster adds continue to be point totals, name value, jersey sales. I hate that

Hahaha. I get it, you don’t like our chances. You’re totally entitled and I’m not looking to change your mind.
My point wasn’t that I was right or wrong on Vegas, OR FL for that matter. My point is that it’s July, NYR have a terrific foundation with Fox, Shesty and Mika. Kreider, Pan, Trocheck, Trouba are all vets that back them up, then you have emerging talent in Laf, Kakko, Chytil , Miller and Schneider. And decent possible young contributors in Cuylle and Othmann. It’s hardly inconceivable that Wheeler looked at this team and the new coaching staff and liked his chances of winning here.