Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[SnowblindNYR]

Turns out you do not have to be in the top 6 to score. Who knew?

And Reaves scored twice against the Leafs one time. Plus, that team was basically the Phantoms we were playing, when a team is that banged up they don't have the horses to play against your 3rd line.

 

[egelband]

Laf is not being traded. Just needs to give more effort and find a way not to go 8 games without a point. Whether a blessing or a curse the Rangers have too many legit NHL players right now. Reeves and Hunt are the guys who may sit in the future.

Lafreniere’s “price” now is low. And his potential is still way too high to move him. Unless a team was willing to overpay, and why would they, there’s no deal to be made.

I'm not sure what he was saying -- he hung up during the call and now our franchises are not on speaking terms. Which is too bad, he might have had some interesting ideas somewhere in his post, but they were buried under way too much salt (even for a New Yorker).

Also understand that a) NYR doesn't want to give on Laf too early and b) you guys rate Miller very highly (understandable, he should be a good player). I do still think that Chych is a significant upgrade on him both now and in the long term (Norris votes don't come often esp for 22 yos playing on bad teams, Chych is also getting better), but we're allowed to have opinions and we're certainly allowed to value the players on our own teams. Also I've seen more of Chych and you've seen more of Miller, anyway who really knows we'll see in the next few years.

Re: Chychrun's style of play, that's a longer discussion but I do think he'd fit extremely well with Fox. Chych plays a simple yet effective offensive game (pass to the open guy or launch bombs from the point), I think Fox has enough vision and creativity to offensively involve that type of player extremely effectively. But, I see where you're coming from if you're looking for a Jeff Beukeboom stay-at-home physical type to go with Fox's Brian Leetch rushes then that is not Chychrun at all.

Anyway good luck the rest of the year and good luck with Laf, hope you guys figure out how to deploy him well, it can't be easy for a young kid with talent to start a career stuck behind Panarin and 50-goal scorer Chris Kreider (what a season he is having). I think most hockey fans want him to succeed (I know I do), hopefully he gets there

Chrychrun would be an upgrade over Lindgren for sure but that’s not really a big need for the Rangers. And I could see Miller moving into Lindgren’s spot next to Fox next year, anyhow.
And while Chrychrun for Lafreniere is probably fair value *right now*, Lafreniere’s potential is much more valuable to the Rangers.
I could see the Rangers offering one of their defensemen prospects as part of a package for a Chrychrun. Not sure if that’s of interest. But Lafreniere isn’t going anywhere at this point, in my opinion.

 

[Synergy27]

Sure. In a vacuum. But we all realllllly over analyze these things. Not everything is worth scrutinizing. Could be a million reasons Lafreniere sat for Reaves.
I know it’s dumb of me to say this on a fan message board, but sometimes the basic fan’s view is ok. It’s a long season. These guys have long and winding careers. I try not to focus too much on one spot. Just my two cents.

How dare you take a mentally healthy approach to sports fandom!?!

 

[chosen]

Never been a player on any level that gave 100% on every shift of his life. Laf has a lot more to give. That does not mean he is not trying. I just know he has more to give. He is more than a 25 point player.

I agree he has it in him to score more, but effort has nothing to do with it.

 

[PainForShane]

Lafreniere’s “price” now is low. And his potential is still way too high to move him. Unless a team was willing to overpay, and why would they, there’s no deal to be made.

Chrychrun would be an upgrade over Lindgren for sure but that’s not really a big need for the Rangers. And I could see Miller moving into Lindgren’s spot next to Fox next year, anyhow.
And while Chrychrun for Lafreniere is probably fair value *right now*, Lafreniere’s potential is much more valuable to the Rangers.
I could see the Rangers offering one of their defensemen prospects as part of a package for a Chrychrun. Not sure if that’s of interest. But Lafreniere isn’t going anywhere at this point, in my opinion.

For me personally, I have no interest in trading Chychrun for a pile of stuff.

After following this thread, I think most AZ fans view Chychrun the same way you guys view Laf -- in other words trading him now would be selling extremely low. Re: Chych, remember a couple years ago about 20% of Norris voters thought he was a top 5 defenseman in the NHL (at 22 years old). Was he? No, he wasn't playing shutdown minutes so being considered a top 5 D is the league is laughable. But, he is still a damn good player who doesn't make defensive mistakes and contributes in transition and via his elite shot, imo he's absolutely an upgrade on Lindgren now and probably Miller next year because everyone will be a year better (but I haven't really seen K'Andre play much). That's what I think anyway, we'll see what happens in a few years -- if everyone ends up Norris level we all win.

The only reason Chychrun's being mentioned is there are so many rumors he doesn't want to be here, with this much smoke you have to assume it's at least partly true. Who really knows though. But at his age and upside (and the fact we're rebuilding), no GM would actively want to trade Chych unless something else was going on behind the scenes. But, I honestly don't know if our GM Bill Armstrong is actively looking to trade him or just listening to offers (I suspect the 2nd but again, who really knows). We're not going to give him away the same way you guys aren't going to give away Laf.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I agree he has it in him to score more, but effort has nothing to do with it.

Well based on Gallants medical team testing statement I'm wondering if he is not in top shape. I'm not saying he has not hustled but many young guys are not in the best shape of their careers. Lets see if he shows something extra today.

 

[chosen]

Well based on Gallants medical team testing statement I'm wondering if he is not in top shape. I'm not saying he has not hustled but many young guys are not in the best shape of their careers. Lets see if he shows something extra today.

If Laf's effort had been suspect, he would have sat a lot earlier in the season.

 

[PainForShane]

Actually, one question for you guys.

Re: Laf, I really do hope he makes it -- it bothers me to see wasted potential, that was part of the reason I thought a trade might make sense. In Phx he'd get much more ice time (probably alongside a top tier center prospect like Wright, Savoie, Cooley etc) so the opportunity would be there.

How has Laf looked in positions other than LW, has he got an extended look in a different position? Seems to me like it will be tough for Laf to play in the top 6 (as a LW) as long as Kreider and Panarin stay elite, which will hopefully be for another few years still. Thanks in advance, appreciate your guys' perspective on this

 

[NickyFotiu]

If Laf's effort had been suspect, he would have sat a lot earlier in the season.

Well go read Gallants statements. What do you think he means when he says they have medical testing the players? Or that Laf has looked a little tired out there? I'm not saying Laf has not tried or not hustled. I'm not bashing him. I just think he could have more to give including getting in the best shape possible.

 

[bhamill]

Would you rather have a top pair caliber dman to replace Lindgren who is on a great contract or a healthy scratch that is being benched for Ryan Reaves? If this is what we are doing with Laf, then f*** it get something of value for him because he has no value while Reaves and Rooney are playing over him

False choice. And wild overreaction. He’s sat ONE game and is a developing player. That trade would be a career killer for the GM trading Laf. Hahaha. You want to get true value for him? Fine. But Chychrun isn’t even close and on top of it is not a NEED. At least make a bad trade for a young center.

 

[Doctyl]

Actually, one question for you guys.

Re: Laf, I really do hope he makes it -- it bothers me to see wasted potential, that was part of the reason I thought a trade might make sense. In Phx he'd get much more ice time (probably alongside a top tier center prospect like Wright, Savoie, Cooley etc) so the opportunity would be there.

How has Laf looked in positions other than LW, has he got an extended look in a different position? Seems to me like it will be tough for Laf to play in the top 6 (as a LW) as long as Kreider and Panarin stay elite, which will hopefully be for another few years still. Thanks in advance, appreciate your guys' perspective on this

Played like a 1st line right wing with Kreider and Zibanejad. I think he had like 7 points in 6 games and the underlying metrics for the line showed they were one of the best lines in the league.

Gallant didn’t like the way he looked at RW whatever the f*** that means and demoted him to 3rd line where he goes on a predictable drought and then scratches him for Reaves.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Played like a 1st line right wing with Kreider and Zibanejad. I think he had like 7 points in 6 games and the underlying metrics for the line showed they were one of the best lines in the league.

Gallant didn’t like the way he looked at RW whatever the f*** that means and demoted him to 3rd line where he goes on a predictable drought and then scratches him for Reaves.

I do not think Gallant scratched Laf for Reeves. I do not think they play the same role. I think Gallant scratched Laf to light a fire under him. To let him know they expect more than what they are seeing from him. Nothing wrong with that. Good coaches do that every season.

 

[The New Russian Five]

Played like a 1st line right wing with Kreider and Zibanejad. I think he had like 7 points in 6 games and the underlying metrics for the line showed they were one of the best lines in the league.

Gallant didn’t like the way he looked at RW whatever the f*** that means and demoted him to 3rd line where he goes on a predictable drought and then scratches him for Reaves.

He demoted him to the 3rd line because we got Copp and Vatrano who have been perfect fits on the 1st and 2nd line. You can't argue that Laf deserves to be in either of those spots over those 2 guys.

 

[bhamill]

He demoted him to the 3rd line because we got Copp and Vatrano who have been perfect fits on the 1st and 2nd line. You can't argue that Laf deserves to be in either of those spots over those 2 guys.

Honestly I can argue that. Laf had a 7 point in 6 game streak as that RW. Its ABSOLUTELY an argument on merit alone, never mind the development aspect. I also see the argument for Vatrano, but saying there’s no argument for Laf is wrong.

 

[Cournoyer12]

Hey Rangers fans, Habs fan here with a trade proposal! Call the GMs Hoffman and Drouin for Laffy. We’ll even throw in some salary retention! Have we got a deal? Lol.

 

[effen]

quality momming

 

[Doctyl]

Hey Rangers fans, Habs fan here with a trade proposal! Call the GMs Hoffman and Drouin for Laffy. We’ll even throw in some salary retention! Have we got a deal? Lol.

Throw in your next 5 1sts

 

[Cournoyer12]

Throw in your next 5 1sts

All for fun gang, don’t hang me,just frustrated.

 

[Doctyl]

All for fun gang, don’t hang me,just frustrated.

 

[Cournoyer12]

That’s funny!

 

[SA16]

And that second goal is by far the best play he’s ever made and what you want to see as that is definitely being noticeable on the ice.

 

[Rangers in 7]

BUSTTTTTTT…….a nut

 

[Shadowtron]

Atta boy, Laffy. He completely Undressed the defender. That’s what I like to see.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

that second goal burned a hole in edjovo’s soul.

 

[DanielBrassard]

And that second goal is by far the best play he’s ever made and what you want to see as that is definitely being noticeable on the ice.

yeah exactly. If he did that more often but his point totals were the same there'd be a lot less consternation. That was an incredible move, hope that breaks the shell so to speak and he starts pulling off more of that.