Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[smoneil]

I truly think we see Laf take a huge leap once Bread and Kreider are no longer on the team. 1st OA guys thrive under pressure of being the guy--the straw that stirs the drink. Laf has never had those expectations/responsibilities here. He's been behind Bread and Kreider on the LW from day one.

I think the team needs to finish clearing the room of the old core (definitely move Kreider and Panarin--not because there is anything wrong with either, but they aren't part of the long-term future, they can both bring back real assets as well as cap space, and they both play the position where the team has the most organizational depth. I'd move Zibanejad as well, but finding a taker there might be a bit more difficult). Once those three guys are off the roster, hand the reins to Lafreniere, Miller, and Trocheck. Re-build the defense. Get them playing the right way and let them grow into these new roles. The team might not be as talented (at first), but I think it would be more successful.

 

[mrmovies779]

Laf will be fine once he stops deferring so much and starts moving his feet more and making plays.That pull up on the wall Panarin style isn't it for him..(Captain Obvious has left the building)

 

[Daves a mess]

Mods. Please ban me from this thread.

I dont like him.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

7 points in the last 7.

when was he moved off of the Panarin / Trocheck line?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

when was he moved off of the Panarin / Trocheck line?

Probably around there

 

[ReddestRum]

So Laf with 5pts in three games, including a beaut of a shot last night. Let’s see if he can build on that in these last 9 games or if he backslides.

Unfortunately, I didn't even realize he was playing in that blowout win last night.

 

[will1066]

Guy looks genuinely surprised and confused when there is room to go to the net

 

[bhamill]

Unfortunately, I didn't even realize he was playing in that blowout win last night.

Wasnt very noticeable, for good nor bad. I believe he was on ice for one goal scored, none against I don’t think. So that’s 5 points in four games. He’s got 8 games left to end this season on a positive note. Guess we shall see.

 

[ReddestRum]

Wasnt very noticeable, for good nor bad. I believe he was on ice for one goal scored, none against I don’t think. So that’s 5 points in four games. He’s got 8 games left to end this season on a positive note. Guess we shall see.

I'm sure he'll be fine, but I would just like him to SHOOT for the love of god. 1 shot of goal in a game we're dominating is criminal for a player of his supposed caliber.

 

[TomBlizzy12]

I like Lafreniere-Miller-Cuylle as a line
Call it the Least Common Multiple line

 

[ReddestRum]

I like Lafreniere-Miller-Cuylle as a line
Call it the Least Common Multiple line

There's no line combination right now that's advantageous for this team, let alone Laf or any of our kids.

 

[NickyFotiu]

There's no line combination right now that's advantageous for this team, let alone Laf or any of our kids.

Laf made a few good things happen today but still looks hesitant. I had hoped playing with JT would raise Lafs game but so far it hasn't looked great.

 

[AirGut]

CHOPT

on Broadway!

 

[bhamill]

Cuylle, Gabe and Laf were three off the top of my head that looked like they were trying to make things happen today.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Almost every time this season I see Laf on the left side boards he gets squeezed out of the play. I saw this in previous seasons as well. That is a big reason he is better off on the right side. So he is shooting on his forehand and able to go to the middle on his forehand. He has played mostly RW this season so I wish he would stop floating to the left side so much.

Also Bread is not influencing Laf. I wish Bread was. Bread looks to create plays. He goes to the middle when able. He takes shots. It would be a good thing if Bread was influencing Laf. To his credit I have seen Laf putting in some extra effort lately but he looks lost a bit. He also gets gassed. Julian Edelman said something that I agree with. He said something like never get tired. If you never get tired the moves you make in the first quarter will work great in the 4th quarter (when others are tiring). I would really like to see Laf (among others) really improve his motor and stamina. I do not believe Laf is as strong as he could be in shifts that run longer. I do not believe this group of NYR are in even average shape overall as a NHL team. I believe we are below average motor wise.

 

[will1066]

Almost every time this season I see Laf on the left side boards he gets squeezed out of the play. I saw this in previous seasons as well. That is a big reason he is better off on the right side. So he is shooting on his forehand and able to go to the middle on his forehand. He has played mostly RW this season so I wish he would stop floating to the left side so much.

Also Bread is not influencing Laf. I wish Bread was. Bread looks to create plays. He goes to the middle when able. He takes shots. It would be a good thing if Bread was influencing Laf. To his credit I have seen Laf putting in some extra effort lately but he looks lost a bit. He also gets gassed. Julian Edelman said something that I agree with. He said something like never get tired. If you never get tired the moves you make in the first quarter will work great in the 4th quarter (when others are tiring). I would really like to see Laf (among others) really improve his motor and stamina. I do not believe Laf is as strong as he could be in shifts that run longer. I do not believe this group of NYR are in even average shape overall as a NHL team. I believe we are below average motor wise.

He needs to stop being a net-finesse player. Either he does not continue to move his feet and he glides because of mindset or lack of stamina or both

 

[ReddestRum]

I'm a simple man.

Is getting at least one shot on goal in a game too much to ask of our 1OA? Because this is where the bar needs to be set sometimes.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Wait Jusso is allowed to shoot?

 

[bhamill]

I'm a simple man.

Is getting at least one shot on goal in a game too much to ask of our 1OA? Because this is where the bar needs to be set sometimes.

I get what you are saying, but at this juncture expecting his play to be 1OA-esque is just setting yourself up for disappointment. I’m also a simple man: I just look at him as a 23 year old NHLer. At this point his draft position is kind of irrelevant. TO ME. It’s a way more pleasant perspective! Hahahaha.

Edit: He is averaging about 2 shots per game, about 30% less than last year.

 

[BavelPure]

I get what you are saying, but at this juncture expecting his play to be 1OA-esque is just setting yourself up for disappointment. I’m also a simple man: I just look at him as a 23 year old NHLer. At this point his draft position is kind of irrelevant. TO ME. It’s a way more pleasant perspective! Hahahaha.

Now it's the salary and term which is relevant.

 

[bhamill]

Now it's the salary and term which is relevant.

Yep. Starting next year anyway.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

here's something i'll throw out there:

laf signs a real awesome deal. next season he's going to be getting a little over 5 million dollar raise. after signing that deal maybe the idea that since he's only making 2.325 mill on his expiring deal he won't move his wheels like he did last season. instead he'll just do enough to reach season ending stats that barely exceeds stats of other players earning the same.

as of this morning here's some interesting 5x5 pt totals. he's tied at 39 along with larkin and raymond. his total is more than debrincant, bedard, timo, and brady tkachuk.

so let's see. the 7.45 million dollar man. maybe he'll start using his legs more often to justify that amount. new beginning. new coach. maybe over 60 games with jt miller and another star they somehow acquire. or maybe x. x being someone who's like a right handed pius suter type.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Bottom line is for this team to have a chance in the future Laf probably has to become a star. Given that we should all be hoping he does. I think next season he really needs to show he put in the effort. If he does other stuff will probably fall in to place. It did last season.

 

[TGWL]

here's something i'll throw out there:

laf signs a real awesome deal. next season he's going to be getting a little over 5 million dollar raise. after signing that deal maybe the idea that since he's only making 2.325 mill on his expiring deal he won't move his wheels like he did last season. instead he'll just do enough to reach season ending stats that barely exceeds stats of other players earning the same.

as of this morning here's some interesting 5x5 pt totals. he's tied at 39 along with larkin and raymond. his total is more than debrincant, bedard, timo, and brady tkachuk.

so let's see. the 7.45 million dollar man. maybe he'll start using his legs more often to justify that amount. new beginning. new coach. maybe over 60 games with jt miller and another star they somehow acquire. or maybe x. x being someone who's like a right handed pius suter type.

Yeah, sure, he's just doing enough to earn his current salary. That's definitely it.. Laf needs a big offseason. Without making the playoffs, he'll get plenty of time now to play some baseball, enjoy some golf, chill near the pool, and still put in a good work-out/off-season training.

We no longer care what his 5 on 5 points are at the end of the season. What we care about is watching him look lazy on the ice. He looks like shit. He looks like he couldn't care less. He makes dumb plays. He floats. He's invisible. He didn't build on last season. He took a step back.

 

[McRanger92]

Lafreniere is supposed to be the torch bearer for the next crop of young players that has largely arrived in the NHL over the last 1-3 seasons. Unfortunately his demeanor has been that of a petulant child. The organization deserves blame for never giving him the minutes needed to actually be a scorer, but theres really no excuse for why he's sat in the background all year. It's telling that in these meaningless games, he and Kreider are buried together on the 4th line centered by Jusso Parssinen. I dont think they are going to trade him but him, K'Andre and Fox are the main "young veterans" who have not given it their all this year. Out of shape, distracted or whining from basically day 1.