Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[The New Russian Five]

You’re right, laf will never get better

It’s just a fluke that Hughes went from like .4 points a game to now averaging over a point

That definitely can not happen to laf

Even in his rookie season Hughes at least showed flashes of his dynamic talent and quite consistently. Laf on the other hand is improving but still don't see the star talent we were promised.

AND THAT IS FINE. WE DO NOT NEED LAF TO BE HUGHES.

 

[rangersfansince08]

Even in his rookie season Hughes at least showed flashes of his dynamic talent and quite consistently. Laf on the other hand is improving but still don't see the star talent we were promised.

AND THAT IS FINE. WE DO NOT NEED LAF TO BE HUGHES.

We def need him AND Kakko to at least be 60 pt players if we want that long second window.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Laffy and Hughes couldn't be more different as players. There are parts of Laffy's game that Hughes will absolutely never bring to the table. Some of those aspects are things that help you win. Laffy shows signs of being an emotional leader, willing to hit and sacrifice his body. I believe he is the future captain of this team. Hughes is a one dimensional offensive dynamo. It's a great dimension, but he'll never bring the physicality Laffy does. Oh and by the way, Hughes game is not one that will necessarily even work come playoff time when the game tightens up.

 

[bhamill]

Hughes is playing at a 93 pt pace. What has Laf shown to bet on him being that good? Hope I'm wrong.

Hughes has elite skating btw that Laf doesn't.

I think the point was "what was Hughes scoring last year?"
Anyway, as noted above very different types of hockey players. Additionally on very different teams in very different circumstances, being given very different amounts of ice time of very different types, with very different coach expectations of playing a complete game.
If I had to bet on who will be the better all around, valuable team player when they are at their primes, I'd bet on Lafreniere. I believe he just has those extras that you win with and that he will score on a level similar to Hughes. But of course there are no guarantees.
BTW, Hughes' "pace" doesn't up his overall value to me. He has fewer points than his team has played games. Actually being in the games is pretty important, you have to average in those zeros in his grade where he couldn't get in the game.

 

[rangersfansince08]

I think the point was "what was Hughes scoring last year?"
Anyway, as noted above very different types of hockey players. Additionally on very different teams in very different circumstances, being given very different amounts of ice time of very different types, with very different coach expectations of playing a complete game.
If I had to bet on who will be the better all around, valuable team player when they are at their primes, I'd bet on Lafreniere. I believe he just has those extras that you win with and that he will score on a level similar to Hughes. But of course there are no guarantees.

Not denying the other stuff but this is a big question mark.

 

[bhamill]

Not denying the other stuff but this is a big question mark.

Sure, that's fair. Everything is a question. All potential, until it's realized.

 

[rangersfansince08]

Sure, that's fair. Everything is a question. All potential, until it's realized.

His attitude is great so I have do doubt he will give 100% to being the best he can. There won't be any wasted potential imo. I could see him as a Landeskog type player.

 

[Shadowtron]

Just my opinion, but unless there is a dramatic uptick in his output, I don't see the kid being on the team in 5 years let alone its captain. A 3rd line mucker, who puts up 30-35 points a season, is probably not what you have in mind when you select a player 1st overall. Took him, what, 4 more games this season to just reach his point total (20) from last season. I cheer like hell when this kid produces a point. I'm digging his recent productivity. But I'm still not seeing a lot in the way of high end talent. And if he and Kakko both fail to live up to expectations...on top of the failures with Anderson and Kravtsoz, this team is going to have a very very short window indeed. Hell...I'd trade all 4 of them right now for Hughes, sorry to say.

 

[JimmyG89]

In spite of being benched or whatever Gallant did last game in the 3rd period, Lafreniere is at 9 points in 17 games since the all-star break. Was 13 in 45 before. Ice time is up from 13:33 pre to 15:02 post per game.

Hughes in his 2nd season had more points, but more ice time. In fact, at even strength they have the same P/60 (1.6). Big difference is once again PP time and production. Even Gallant joked around with Copp saying that you get like 10 seconds on the 2nd unit, so it's pretty known.

Here is how Lafreniere will begin putting up "#1 pick" production:

• Get on PP1
• Play more ES minutes

This season, PP1 is not happening. There is no doubt he should be on PP1 next season as they hopefully jettison Strome and look for a different 2C.

Fortunately for him, upgrading L3 and L4 means that after the PP is over, he is on the ice with someone like Copp and Vatrano. At least these guys can produce.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Some of ya'll confuse "flash" for "good."

You don't need to be flashy to be good. LOL at Laf only being a 35 point player overall. Had he gotten PP1 time all year, he would have eclipsed that total this year just by default.

As @Machinehead said, I know he would have done this because Strome has done it, and he's as much of a passenger on that unit as a person can be.

 

[rangersfansince08]

Some of ya'll confuse "flash" for "good."

You don't need to be flashy to be good. LOL at Laf only being a 35 point player overall. Had he gotten PP1 time all year, he would have eclipsed that total this year just by default.

As @Machinehead said, I know he would have done this because Strome has done it, and he's as much of a passenger on that unit as a person can be.

he could be a Landeskog/Crosby type player. Kind of like an elite grinder. That puck battle he won the other day along with goals near the net is how he will get most of his points imo.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Whatever Jack Hughes does, is irrelevant to me as a Rangers fan since we were never in a position to draft him.

True but Jack is still his peer and the 1 & 2 picks have always been compared to each other. The majority of Ranger fans on here also wanted the Devils to take Hughes and said Kakko was better (this is even before the draft). Kakko was also billed as the far more NHL ready and Jack was the weak boy who was going to take years to make an impact, it’s reasonable for fans to be disappointed

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Some of ya'll confuse "flash" for "good."

You don't need to be flashy to be good. LOL at Laf only being a 35 point player overall. Had he gotten PP1 time all year, he would have eclipsed that total this year just by default.

As @Machinehead said, I know he would have done this because Strome has done it, and he's as much of a passenger on that unit as a person can be.

hoping he can have a Draisaitl -esque growth. Drai is the least flashy, most boring superstar i've seen since Tim Duncan. He just shits points for breakfast lunch and dinner without breaking a sweat.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Laffy and Hughes couldn't be more different as players. There are parts of Laffy's game that Hughes will absolutely never bring to the table. Some of those aspects are things that help you win. Laffy shows signs of being an emotional leader, willing to hit and sacrifice his body. I believe he is the future captain of this team. Hughes is a one dimensional offensive dynamo. It's a great dimension, but he'll never bring the physicality Laffy does. Oh and by the way, Hughes game is not one that will necessarily even work come playoff time when the game tightens up.

Is that really the case though? Kaner, who is probably the player Hughes gets compared to most, is an excellent playoff performer. Kravtsov is kinda similar to Hughes in the way he’s seen as a one dimensional all flash kinda player, but Kravtsov has always put up ridiculous (historic, even) numbers in the KHL playoffs, way better than in regular season

 

[ragfan11]

It's obviously way too early to tell with this kid (and Kakko to an extent) but the fact is, it's justifiable to be disheartened when you see other super young players with less draft capital not only outproducing them, but jumping off the screen in the process. I've watched enough Devils hockey to see a different type of talent with Hughes that isn't possessed by our guys. Hell, 18th overall Dawson Mercer has almost as many career pts as Laf in slightly more than half the games. Yes, there are other facets of the game they bring that Hughes doesn't, but as was perfectly stated above, 3rd line 40pt muckers is not what anyone had in mind when we "won" the lottery in 2 successive years.

I absolutely would be in favor of moving one of these 2 guys this offseason for a good hockey trade (part of a package for Larkin in my fantasy) before either guy is exposed to the rest of the league as a 'not top 6er.' Ideally, it could be a reshuffling of our assets to make us stronger down the middle for a more sustainable competitive window.

 

[TheDirtyH]

Some of ya'll confuse "flash" for "good."

You don't need to be flashy to be good. LOL at Laf only being a 35 point player overall. Had he gotten PP1 time all year, he would have eclipsed that total this year just by default.

As @Machinehead said, I know he would have done this because Strome has done it, and he's as much of a passenger on that unit as a person can be.

Yeah, even Kakko's rookie season would in all likelihood have mirrored Stutzle's and eclipsed Jack Hughe's (point totals-wise) had he stayed on PP1 the whole season.

Whoever runs hot for a while is the new star-child that Laf and Kakko will never measure up to. Once those players inevitably run a bit colder, another player is inserted into the narrative. I remember when Dach was so much better than Kakko. Stutzle was so much better than Lafreniere. Lucase Raymond has all of one more even strength point since mid-december than Lafreniere and a whole 8 more on the season. But for whatever reason, he's a sure star and Lafreniere is barely a 3rd liner. SMH

 

[Rangers in 7]

Yeah, even Kakko's rookie season would in all likelihood have mirrored Stutzle's and eclipsed Jack Hughe's (point totals-wise) had he stayed on PP1 the whole season.

Whoever runs hot for a while is the new star-child that Laf and Kakko will never measure up to. Once those players inevitably run a bit colder, another player is inserted into the narrative. I remember when Dach was so much better than Kakko. Stutzle was so much better than Lafreniere. Lucase Raymond has all of one more even strength point since mid-december than Lafreniere and a whole 8 more on the season. But for whatever reason, he's a sure star and Lafreniere is barely a 3rd liner. SMH

everyone wants to bitch that laf isnt good when he sees zero PP time.....thats where all these young players rack up the points

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Is that really the case though? Kaner, who is probably the player Hughes gets compared to most, is an excellent playoff performer. Kravtsov is kinda similar to Hughes in the way he’s seen as a one dimensional all flash kinda player, but Kravtsov has always put up ridiculous (historic, even) numbers in the KHL playoffs, way better than in regular season

Gaudreau is more of the comp, not Kane.

JG’s playoff resume is a mixed bag. Hughes has also gotten walloped more in 3 years than JG has in his career.

 

[IDvsEGO]

everyone wants to bitch that laf isnt good when he sees zero PP time.....thats where all these young players rack up the points

its also where they get to figure out their game more. By getting that space they can see how fast things move and what they can actually get away with. And then once they're pulling off moves they'll get space in 5v5.

 

[alkurtz]

I don't know whether Laf will ever by a dynamic offensive force: I've seen little evidence of that thus far.
However, I do see him as an incredibly intelligent player, with a knack for capitalizing on the offensive skills of others, of just being in the right spot at the right time.
Couple that with the fact that I believe he will be defensively responsible, not afraid to go to the hard places on the ice, be an emotional leader...I can easily see him as a steady 30-30 player, perhaps a few more goals if he plays with a playmaking center, perhaps a few less goals but more assists if he plays with line mates who are goal scorers.
I just wish GG would let him play: if he makes mistakes, he is the type to learn from them.
Perhaps not what we envisioned, but each draft is different as to what is available and what the players will become.
Not unhappy with him at all.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Has there been any word on practice line combinations since last game?

 

[NickyFotiu]

no one loves seeing laf benched but it needs to be put in perspective...its one game. hes been solid since his promo but not lighting the world on fire...thats a big role. it comes with expectations and gallant is putting them on laf - nothing wrong with that. trust me people are far more hurt about it on here than laf is. its not one mistake n hes yanked, its when hes not engaged and on pucks and moving his feet for long stretches. the bar is being raised for him for a reason

Leetch was benched. Zooks was benched. Kreider was benched. JT Miller was benched. If a player is ever going to have the mind set of a tough high caliper player they get over being benched and learn from it.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Some of ya'll confuse "flash" for "good."

You don't need to be flashy to be good. LOL at Laf only being a 35 point player overall. Had he gotten PP1 time all year, he would have eclipsed that total this year just by default.

As @Machinehead said, I know he would have done this because Strome has done it, and he's as much of a passenger on that unit as a person can be.

I would hope a player would surpass 35 points if he played on the top PP unit. That's really not an accomplishment at all. How the standards have dropped lol.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Has there been any word on practice line combinations since last game?

Never mind, see them in the RBT

 

[NickyFotiu]

It’s hard to argue that a top 5 pick was rushed to the NHL.

I think Ranger fans should forget that he was drafted #1 OA. Maybe that would not be the case in other years. We need to just treat him like other 20 year olds. He is expected to play offense and defense on the Rangers. That is how winning players are developed. Guys that do well in the playoffs. If the team just said go play offense like some losing teams here will never grow out of those bad habits. So far he has been a solid not great player. He is 20. He will be better next season. He will be a different player at 23-24-25. Patience is hard. I know.