I think something got through to him towards the end of training camp. He was not giving this type of effort before then. Could have been a coach, teammate, agent, family member or himself but there was a change towards the end of camp. That is a good thing. I give Laf credit. This is what I wanted to see from him. Hopefully this is just the beginning. I enjoy watching him raise his game.
He's still barely 22, so I expect missteps, but he looks like he's on his way up.
It's certainly not physically impossible, that's hyperbole, its just seems very difficult. (Do you have a number on how big the segment of NHLers is that get 50 or better at 5v5?) Especially on a team that is not, as a whole, thriving at 5v5. Your goal for Laf is completely reasonable, IMO. I think if he continues to play the way he has with Pan he will surpass that, with a minimum of PP points as PP2 is still getting mostly below 50sec shifts. Which is still way better than 30sec shifts, don't get me wrong: its more opportunity. He could easily be close to PPG right now if his setups were converted on. I think that'll start happening more IF HE KEEPS THIS UP. AND his confidence should snowball if the chances start going in. Hopefully it will be fun to watch as the season unfolds.
Other GDT are actually a terrible measure, as most other teams' fans WANT Laf to fail. They are not going to drool over him regardless. The fact that there were no posts saying what an awful bust he is says how good he is playing.
I was looking at some of the EV scoring numbers last year: McJesus of course lead the way EV with 82 points, Pasta had 76, M Tkachuck 72, Kuch 73. MacKinnon, Hughes, Draisaital, Rantanen are in the 60's, Robertson, Tage Thompson, Stutzle, B Tkachuck are in the 50's, Barkov, RNH in the 40's. This is not a complete list, just an idea of the level of player that scores that much at EV. And the only players under 23 that seem to be up there are Hughes and Stutzle. Laf getting 50 EV would put him in some pretty good company, and I certainly don't think it's out of the question.
If Laf keeps playing with Bread and keeps skating hard those points should follow. Maybe over a 50 point pace. 25G-30A would be a solid season.
I still feel like at times he struggles a bit on the right... I forgot which game (Minny prob... not last night) where he ended up on the left, literally right next to Bread... like touching shoulders in the neutral zone/blue line area.
Is this like how you would vote for Krav in the post game thread and use that data to prove Krav was a great player?
Everyone voted for him, he had the most star votes of the team during his time here
because he'd have to play on the right and despite saying they'd try him there, they never really gave him enough time there and were patient enough
I can relax, LAF with an early assist.
Looks like he’s pacing more than 41 pts now
He's got a goal. Go, LAF, go!!!!I can relax, LAF with an early assist.
Close to 55.
