Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[ReddestRum]

if he wasn't a Rongo he would

This is a sad reality with this team, unfortunately.

 

[n8]

I remember when Laf was being compared to Hughes because of Jack's 21, 31 point seasons in his first two years, lol. As if Laf would follow the same trajectory.

Before this season, if you looked at his season-to-season point growth, it was climbing up and up so a lot to be optimistic about. Not Jack Hughes levels sure.
points per game in first four seasons
0.375
0.392 (+0.017)
0.481 (+0.089)
0.720 (+0.239)

Looking at those growth rates, you could have expected between 68 - 79 points this season but the team had to collectively lose their confidence and have a mopey sad captain do nothing about it.

current PPG at 0.6 on pace for 49 points. If he somehow turns things around and goes P/G, he'll end up with 60 which is small improvement from last season. This season is just a wild nightmare in many aspects. I used to joke about the point growth rate and say that we should expect totals to match totals something like this to match the trend 21, 31, 39, 57, 79, 98, 120, 151, 188

 

[ReddestRum]

Before this season, if you looked at his season-to-season point growth, it was climbing up and up so a lot to be optimistic about. Not Jack Hughes levels sure.
points per game in first four seasons
0.375
0.392 (+0.017)
0.481 (+0.089)
0.720 (+0.239)

Looking at those growth rates, you could have expected between 68 - 79 points this season but the team had to collectively lose their confidence and have a mopey sad captain do nothing about it.

current PPG at 0.6 on pace for 49 points. If he somehow turns things around and goes P/G, he'll end up with 60 which is small improvement from last season. This season is just a wild nightmare in many aspects. I used to joke about the point growth rate and say that we should expect totals to match totals something like this to match the trend 21, 31, 39, 57, 79, 98, 120, 151, 188

Agree. Last season was a stepping stone to this season, and it was looking to be a another breakout one. Especially at the beginning of the season, but there are very few players on this team that can consistently put up points in an individual sense if the team around them is in the dumps. Laf can put goals on the board. We've seen it, however he keeps trying to become a mini Panarin. He's being molded into this east-west playmaker. This wouldn't be an issue if he was one of those players that would rather shoot than defer most of the time.

 

[SA16]

Before this season, if you looked at his season-to-season point growth, it was climbing up and up so a lot to be optimistic about. Not Jack Hughes levels sure.
points per game in first four seasons
0.375
0.392 (+0.017)
0.481 (+0.089)
0.720 (+0.239)

Looking at those growth rates, you could have expected between 68 - 79 points this season but the team had to collectively lose their confidence and have a mopey sad captain do nothing about it.

current PPG at 0.6 on pace for 49 points. If he somehow turns things around and goes P/G, he'll end up with 60 which is small improvement from last season. This season is just a wild nightmare in many aspects. I used to joke about the point growth rate and say that we should expect totals to match totals something like this to match the trend 21, 31, 39, 57, 79, 98, 120, 151, 188

Last year: 2.04 pts/60 at 5v5
This year: 2.03 pts/60 at 5v5

The entire basis in the difference in his P/G is last year he had 8 pts with/against the empty net and this year he has 0. Are we really concerned about that?

 

[TGWL]

Last year: 2.04 pts/60 at 5v5
This year: 2.03 pts/60 at 5v5

The entire basis in the difference in his P/G is last year he had 8 pts with/against the empty net and this year he has 0. Are we really concerned about that?

6 points in his last 7 games definitely helps because before that he was he was struggling for production.

But as far as being concerned, we're not looking for Laf to match his production. We're looking for Lafreniere to continue to grow and increase that production. Last season was really the first season he looked engaged and moved his feet. This season, and you can blame him or Panarin, but he's not skating. He just got paid and the concern isn't about empty new points. The concern is his overall game has taken a step backwards instead of a step forward.

 

[n8]

Last year: 2.04 pts/60 at 5v5
This year: 2.03 pts/60 at 5v5

The entire basis in the difference in his P/G is last year he had 8 pts with/against the empty net and this year he has 0. Are we really concerned about that?

Depends. If you are concerned with flat production, no. If you are concerned with growth trajectory / reaching his ceiling, maybe. Again, it's an off year for the whole team. We are all rooting for Laf to bounce back so he can get to that fabled 188 point season .

 

[Shesterkybomb]

It's embarrassing how terrible this organization with unlimited resources is at developing players with skill. We have to be the worst

 

[Crease]

It's embarrassing how terrible this organization with unlimited resources is at developing players with skill. We have to be the worst

They don’t need to develop stars to sell tickets. Half the seats are sold to corporations and the other half can be filled by signing popular names in free agency. There is little to no business incentive to do it the hard way.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

it had to take bread and tro to have career best seasons in order for laff to reach 57. so yeah a bounce was inevitable. now it's the same shit all over again. feet not moving. a hard time just to reach 50 pts again, and all the rest that has been posted above here.

"It's embarrassing how terrible this organization with unlimited resources is at developing players with skill. We have to be the worst"

well here's an example: the last time the rangers drafted an offensive position player with a top 10 pick that was an all-star was 1981-james patrick.

 

[markymarc1215]

Styles are slightly different but man this guy's effort and numbers remind me of Kovalev version 1.0 with the Rangers. Adequate numbers, clutch playoff performer, has days where you think he'll be an elite NHL player and days where it feels like he isn't on the team. Makes a highlight reel play and follows it up with an awful turnover. Really reminds me of Kovy and that anticipation that they can break out at any given moment.....but never do beyond a 5-10 game stretch.

Trading him will also be similar to Kovy because I guarantee he becomes a PPG elsewhere with confidence and PP1 time.

 

[mike14]

Is it just a lack of PP time that has lead us to this point?
5v5 he's been top 6 in ice time every year and has either been playing with our top-6 players (Panarin, Tro, Ck, Mika), or with the best of our 'kids' (Chytil and KK).

Other than the PP (assuming he actually did anything on it) and not sending him back to Jnrs (in covid) because he wasn't ready, what is the actual developmental issue(s) that have come from the organisation rather than it being Laf happy to be JAG rather than a difference maker?

 

[TGWL]

Is it just a lack of PP time that has lead us to this point?

The right foot goes right, the left foot goes left, and sometimes they cross or go side to side. The lack of that has led us here.

 

[mike14]

The right foot goes right, the left foot goes left, and sometimes they cross or go side to side. The lack of that has led us here.

Slightly OT but IMO the Rangers should have a skating coach who works with each player, and each player should have a 'minimum skating standard'. If you aren't hitting those standards at the start of each camp, you ain't getting playing time

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

Kakko looks faster. Maybe the problem is the team allowing our vets to continue to suck and not letting the no longer kids just freaking play hockey.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

I have zero problem trying to package Laf for Brady Tkachuk in the summer if Brady ever wants out.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

The biggest difference this year, is that he doesn't skate first when he gets the puck, he's lookin for bread, he needs to just go with it, same goes for Miller