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

[80shockeywasbuns]

The fact that he hasn't been invisible pretty much at all this year is amazing compared to last year and as recently as the playoffs.

Love that he's getting points, more impressed with him that he's not a passenger on his line

Laviolette must have gotten through to him over the summer or in camp. Or it could be that he's maturing and was embarrassed with his first three years.

The offense that he was drafted for is now starting to shine through and his confidence is rising.

While I am not expecting PP1, I'd like to see him be a little more assertive with Gus on PP2 now that Fox is back.

Lafreniere, Chytil (when he is back) Wheeler along with Gus and Key should make up a competent 2nd unit.

Happy for the kid as I'm sure, as most young players do, he's read the clippings the last 2-3 years.

Keep up the good work kid.

Idk why people are shocked pikachu now that he’s playing well and producing. This is what literally every team does with their prospects when they want them to become good. Best way to develop is getting them frequent puck touches in good spots and you do that by putting them with your best offensive players and leaving it alone. It’s helped Panarin a ton too playing opposite another high IQ off-wing player. But people would rather chalk his resurgence up to baldness and “shooting mentality”

 

[kovazub94]

Galant would’ve already broken up the Panarin line (to help fix Zibanejad’s RW situation).

The first 20 pages of this thread should be expunged

No, got to keep it as evidence.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

The fact that he hasn't been invisible pretty much at all this year is amazing compared to last year and as recently as the playoffs.

Love that he's getting points, more impressed with him that he's not a passenger on his line

Laviolette must have gotten through to him over the summer or in camp. Or it could be that he's maturing and was embarrassed with his first three years.

The offense that he was drafted for is now starting to shine through and his confidence is rising.

While I am not expecting PP1, I'd like to see him be a little more assertive with Gus on PP2 now that Fox is back.

Lafreniere, Chytil (when he is back) Wheeler along with Gus and Key should make up a competent 2nd unit.

Happy for the kid as I'm sure, as most young players do, he's read the clippings the last 2-3 years.

Keep up the good work kid.

I feel like whatever he did over the summer with his skating has helped his confidence. His strides look stronger and more explosive and hes gaining more ice with less effort. The hitch is still there at times but he has a lot less wasted energy. Maybe the new skating coach has helped as well.

I was killing him in camp and very down on him - despite preaching patience for both him and Kakko since this whole rebuild started - but it just goes to show how things can change quickly for a young player. We all know the circumstances surrounding Covid, lack of playing/pp time, etc. But it feels like he's taken a big jump now and he wont look back.

Its easy to forget he's only just turned 22. That is so young. A guy like Trocheck is in the prime of his career and all of that experience piles up and it makes the game easier.

He's 8 YEARS from that.

 

[Anthony5967]

Laf's skating does look a lot better. More stronger base, stronger strides, and a more confident puck carrier. He's also shooting a ton. Processing game at rate of his linemates. He's been fantastic.

 

[duhmetreE]

By far our best player this year IMO

He looks like Junior Laffy.... or Panarin Jr with a North American twist.

If he can improve his shot as he improved his pace, we're reaaaaaally cooking

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Laf's skating does look a lot better. More stronger base, stronger strides, and a more confident puck carrier. He's also shooting a ton. Processing game at rate of his linemates. He's been fantastic.

He always processed the game well. That was one of the things he does elite, if you ask me.

His skating and confidence (the latter from shitty, garbage coaching) are the two biggest issues for him. And as his skating has improved and he's gotten good feedback, the confidence builds.

I think that this is all just a very simple problem that any not-garbage coach should have been able to correct. I can see why Drury shitcanned Gallant.

 

[bl02]

Are you saying it should happen?

I know right now the pp looks great and Trocheck wins every faceoff which is great but maybe when it gets stale he should get a look.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

It's got nothing to do with Laf, it's because those whiny shitbirds have more ego than hockey knowledge and have now locked themselves into a dumdum take and can't get out. So like true f***tards they just keep doubling down and becoming larger and larger targets for ridicule and punking.

Funny thing is not one Rangers fan thinks he's some sort of Superstar or even on par with other 1st overalls to date. We're just excited he's improved significantly and become a good player. But no these trolls are so invested in him being the worst bust ever they won't even admit to that. Rangers fans have been very measured and humble. Nope, nothing less than worst bust ever will suffice.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Funny thing is not one Rangers fan thinks he's some sort of Superstar or even on par with other 1st overalls to date. We're just excited he's improved significantly and become a good player. But no these trolls are so invested in him being the worst bust ever they won't even admit to that. Rangers fans have been very measured and humble. Nope, nothing less than worst bust ever won't suffice.

Slafkovsky has him beat but that was written the second Nick “the hockey historian” Bobrov was hired and Montreal took him.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

 

[JCProdigy]

I'm gonna pretend I didn't click on that...

....and then proceed to watch the full 4 minutes.

 

[huerter]

I know right now the pp looks great and Trocheck wins every faceoff which is great but maybe when it gets stale he should get a look.

In what alignment?

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

it took a real and boy do i mean a reeeal long time foe 13 to reach this barrier: 10 pts in a month. he finally did it.

even when he's putting up zeroes he has been real noticeable. passing remains crisp and skating has improved beyond what we've seen from the past, and the effort to attack for the puck has immensely improved. that penalty from last night i didn't mind as to me that showed he was applying a ryan lindgren type of of effort and grit to regain that puck from the defender.

hiring coach lav has done wonders not only for this guy but for bread, tro, and even vesey, who if he can maintain his current rate of production, could have by far his best season as an nhler.

 

[Levitate]

I mean it's funny when you watch him setup Panarin for like 3 grade A chances in a game and yet finishes the game without a point because Panarin couldn't score

(not that Panarin is holding him back it's just amusing)

 

[Fitzy]

I mean it's funny when you watch him setup Panarin for like 3 grade A chances in a game and yet finishes the game without a point because Panarin couldn't score

(not that Panarin is holding him back it's just amusing)

If he continues to play like this with Panarin, law of averages suggests he should end the season with at least 50-55 points.

Panarin has two more years here after this one, I see no reason to mess with a good thing. Should be joined at the hip from this moment forward.

Only question will be if Chytil stays healthy who the center should be. Chytil and Trocheck are both north-south centers with good skating. Chytil has better skill, but Trocheck is more willing to go into the dirty areas.

 

[duhmetreE]

If he continues to play like this with Panarin, law of averages suggests he should end the season with at least 50-55 points.

Panarin has two more years here after this one, I see no reason to mess with a good thing. Should be joined at the hip from this moment forward.

he's already on pace for 55pts. If anything it would trend up with how much he and Panarin are generating and not finishing

I've been waiting for one of those 5pts games between he and Panarin

 

[zlev]

he should have about 10 more assists than he does

 

[Ail]

I think he gets 80 points this year, do not @ me.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

BTW. Hot take, maybe? Gallant is the single worst coach this franchise ever had due to how he f***ed around our youth. I will never, ever forgive that jackass for his handling of Laf (and, to a lesser extent, Kakko).

It's painfully obvious that f***ing moron is one of the main reasons for Laf's struggles.

Laf should be a cornerstone piece and Gallant tried his best to kill his confidence.

 

[mas0764]

BTW. Hot take, maybe? Gallant is the single worst coach this franchise ever had due to how he f***ed around our youth. I will never, ever forgive that jackass for his handling of Laf (and, to a lesser extent, Kakko).

It's painfully obvious that f***ing moron is one of the main reasons for Laf's struggles.

Laf should be a cornerstone piece and Gallant tried his best to kill his confidence.

I think it's clear he hurt all the kids with not having a plan. I hope Kakko isn't irreparably damaged.

 

[zlev]

Quinn hurt them way more than Gallant.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

BTW. Hot take, maybe? Gallant is the single worst coach this franchise ever had due to how he f***ed around our youth. I will never, ever forgive that jackass for his handling of Laf (and, to a lesser extent, Kakko).

It's painfully obvious that f***ing moron is one of the main reasons for Laf's struggles.

Laf should be a cornerstone piece and Gallant tried his best to kill his confidence.

I think he f***ed them both equally.

Having zero response or explanation as to why he sat Kakko in what was the teams final playoff game of a great team run still irks the shit out of me. We all thought Kakko might demand a trade after that.

I dont think he consciously tried to kill their confidence I just think he gave zero f***s to the long-game rationale and was too lazy to be patient or trustful of either of them.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

he's already on pace for 55pts. If anything it would trend up with how much he and Panarin are generating and not finishing

I've been waiting for one of those 5pts games between he and Panarin

And as I've stated, if he lands somewhere in the 50-60 point range he will be matching or out producing many of the leagues top players 5on5, because they all get top PP1 time scoring 30-50 PP points

So I'm sure everyone will be talking about how he "broke out" this season, but will dismiss him as a top tier player who is in the 80-100 point range when in actuality he is.

For example, Malkin broke 100 points last season but 40% of those points are on the PP. Take those away and he's a 60 point player. There are dozens of named players in that category and people would laugh at you if you suggest Laf is right there with them.

But its gonna happen if he continues to play this way

 

[Gardner McKay]

By far our best player this year IMO

He looks like Junior Laffy.... or Panarin Jr with a North American twist.

If he can improve his shot as he improved his pace, we're reaaaaaally cooking

Alemi Pafrieniere?

 

[DanielBrassard]

The biggest difference for Laf in my opinion is he is moving his feet. Far too often prior to this season he would receive the puck and stop skating, allowing defenders to close on him immediately. And he doesn't have the first step explosiveness to do that. Just moving his feet has opened up different passing lanes and it's why his playmaking has been on another level this season.