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Confirmed with Link: Alexis Lafreniere Signs Extension [7Y/7.45M AAV]

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kovazub94 said:
What’s worse - the main board’s takes or TSN’s ”experds”?
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When we preach patience is because in the development process there’s simply no substitute for basic maturation. Typical top-10 / top-15 prospect would spend pre-D+4 years in some combination of junior and AHL hockey if not longer, which Lafreniere was “forced” to spent in the NHL because of his draft status (and where he had two close to 20-goal campaigns without PP1 time)
 
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The Crypto Guy said:
Eh we’ll have to agree to disagree. He absolutely looks quicker out there to me. He never won races to the puck previously, this year he gets in there first. And he is creating so much this season because he is faster when he has the puck on his stick.

He’s still a bit of an “ugly” skater, but he’s faster imo.
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I agree. Not a pretty start but is skating harder and faster. Ron Duguay was a fast skater who almost ran his first few strides at times.

GAGLine said:
Laf had 12 shots in 9 games in October. One or less shots in 6 of 9 games.

He has 24 shots in 8 games in November. 2 or more shots in every game.
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That is a big thing for Laf. I'd really like to see Laf continue to shoot more. KK should follow that lead. Go in to every period wanting 2 shots on net. Have that aggressive mindset.
 
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Im kinda astounded that despite Panarin and Trocheck on his line, two guys who can score, Lafreniere can’t have anyone finish a pass from him.
 
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One thing I have been surprised about with Laf this season is his hitting has declined tremendously. I think that is by design. I do not know if it was his decision or the coaches. I think that is to keep his legs moving more with less stops and starts possibly. Normally I would want more physicality but for Laf I'm okay with him skating more and hitting less.
 
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NickyFotiu said:
One thing I have been surprised about with Laf this season is his hitting has declined tremendously. I think that is by design. I do not know if it was his decision or the coaches. I think that is to keep his legs moving more with less stops and starts possibly. Normally I would want more physicality but for Laf I'm okay with him skating more and hitting less.
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He's still had some good hits. But yea, he's not deliberately throwing his body around. Part of that is: when a young player is trying to gain a coach's attention and "do something" part of that is throwing a big hit, grinding it out. Gallant was still blind to it however. Now that he's got a coaching staff that believes in his abilities he's not having to waste his energy throwing big hits, he's not second guessing making plays with the puck now either. He's focused and locked in on creating offense. Notice his defensive play has also been noticeable. He's making plays getting back. A lot of confidence working for him. He's not a passenger either, he's driving play, which is crazy because Panarin is playing elite right now too.
 
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NickyFotiu said:
One thing I have been surprised about with Laf this season is his hitting has declined tremendously. I think that is by design. I do not know if it was his decision or the coaches. I think that is to keep his legs moving more with less stops and starts possibly. Normally I would want more physicality but for Laf I'm okay with him skating more and hitting less.
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That line enters the o-zone with possession so often, there just isn't as much opportunity to throw hits as he had playing more of a forecheck game with the Kid Line. Both strategies are fine when effective, but I'll take controlled zone entry every time.
 
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GENESISPuck94 said:
He's still had some good hits. But yea, he's not deliberately throwing his body around. Part of that is: when a young player is trying to gain a coach's attention and "do something" part of that is throwing a big hit, grinding it out. Gallant was still blind to it however. Now that he's got a coaching staff that believes in his abilities he's not having to waste his energy throwing big hits, he's not second guessing making plays with the puck now either. He's focused and locked in on creating offense. Notice his defensive play has also been noticeable. He's making plays getting back. A lot of confidence working for him. He's not a passenger either, he's driving play, which is crazy because Panarin is playing elite right now too.
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I'm making an assumption but I have to think this (large drop in hits) is by design. I do think it helps him by avoiding him having to stop and start from a standstill more often (a weakness). I'm curious was it a decision Laf made by himself? Did the coaches encourage it? Was it Bread or his off season skating coach who mentioned it? My natural inclination is to encourage physicality but in this case I think Laf is better off sticking to this style as long as these are the results.

Harbour Dog said:
That line enters the o-zone with possession so often, there just isn't as much opportunity to throw hits as he had playing more of a forecheck game with the Kid Line. Both strategies are fine when effective, but I'll take controlled zone entry every time.
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That may be part of it but I do think it is by design. Laf was probably around 2 hits a game last season. He was around CK level.
 
Hughes J Laffy said:
Despite A-Laf creating so many chances for his teammates he have less assists than goals so far this season
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I'm happy with the body of his game overall. Yesterday was a "bad" game for him judging by some of the posts here and elsewhere. Despite that, he very easily could've had two assists (setting up Panarin and Trocheck), and he had a good chance himself where he simply missed the net.

The penalties also took his line out of sorts because Trocheck kills penalties and 10/13 don't, so they really did what they did in a little over half the game given all the PK's and the line juggling after the PK's to get everyone back where they belong.

I'll take a "bad" game where you nearly wind up with 2 assists any day. If he keeps playing like this, it's safe to say he's made the jump to a 60 point production level. Just keep improving every day.
 
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NickyFotiu said:
I'm making an assumption but I have to think this (large drop in hits) is by design. I do think it helps him by avoiding him having to stop and start from a standstill more often (a weakness). I'm curious was it a decision Laf made by himself? Did the coaches encourage it? Was it Bread or his off season skating coach who mentioned it? My natural inclination is to encourage physicality but in this case I think Laf is better off sticking to this style as long as these are the results.


That may be part of it but I do think it is by design. Laf was probably around 2 hits a game last season. He was around CK level.
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His style IS physical. He may be trying to stay unentangled and available to receive the puck on this line, but if he was on a line where cycling was the emphasis, he’d probably still be hitting as much as ever. I’ve still seen him throw some heavy body, but he’s not doing it as often. Also, as many have pointed out, stat keeping on hits is ”less than perfect”. I remember in one of the first few games he threw puck separation hits that led directly to two goals, for which he got no assists, plus a couple other obvious hits, and when I looked at the box score he was credited with ZERO. I can see them missing some when you are finishing as he scorekeeper‘s attention might follow the puck away, but on hits that cause turnovers? Not sure how they get missed. Also it was an away game, I’m sure there’s some hometown.
 
Really underrated play from Laf yesterday was winning the d battle near the blue line in the defensive zone, chipping it past two Flyers to win the puck battle in the offensive zone, and pulling up to set up a cross-ice pass for a scoring chance. He just simply wasn't making these plays last year
 
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NickyFotiu said:
I'm making an assumption but I have to think this (large drop in hits) is by design. I do think it helps him by avoiding him having to stop and start from a standstill more often (a weakness). I'm curious was it a decision Laf made by himself? Did the coaches encourage it? Was it Bread or his off season skating coach who mentioned it? My natural inclination is to encourage physicality but in this case I think Laf is better off sticking to this style as long as these are the results.


That may be part of it but I do think it is by design. Laf was probably around 2 hits a game last season. He was around CK level.
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I just looked and Laf is only credited with 6 hits on the season. Hahaha. I’ve seen him throw four or more in single games this season. CK is credited with 17.
Last year Laf was like 140 and CK was around 120. Close enough considering the “inconsistency“ margin of error.
 
bhamill said:
His style IS physical. He may be trying to stay unentangled and available to receive the puck on this line, but if he was on a line where cycling was the emphasis, he’d probably still be hitting as much as ever. I’ve still seen him throw some heavy body, but he’s not doing it as often. Also, as many have pointed out, stat keeping on hits is ”less than perfect”. I remember in one of the first few games he threw puck separation hits that led directly to two goals, for which he got no assists, plus a couple other obvious hits, and when I looked at the box score he was credited with ZERO. I can see them missing some when you are finishing as he scorekeeper‘s attention might follow the puck away, but on hits that cause turnovers? Not sure how they get missed. Also it was an away game, I’m sure there’s some hometown.
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I can not comment on how the stats are kept. Some stat keepers are definitely different than others in many sports. With that said I'm okay with Laf hitting less since stopping and starting may have been his biggest skating weakness. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for physicality in general but in Laf's case I do not want him to get so entrenched with hitting that it slows him down. I think he will find the right moderation to stay physical and also keep his legs moving.
 
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NickyFotiu said:
I can not comment on how the stats are kept. Some stat keepers are definitely different than others in many sports. With that said I'm okay with Laf hitting less since stopping and starting may have been his biggest skating weakness. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for physicality in general but in Laf's case I do not want him to get so entrenched with hitting that it slows him down. I think he will find the right moderation to stay physical and also keep his legs moving.
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Sure. There’s a balance to be had. My point was that the situation can dictate the proper amount of hitting, and I think he’s still playing a physical game, but he has adjusted his hitting to what is best for the style of play of that line.
 
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