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

[bhamill]

My friend, we had a conversation a few months ago where I said the biggest difference between Laff this year and last, and the reason why he finally found some success, was due to his improved skating and you scoffed and told me he had a shitty preseason and it wasn't his skating but his confidence. Even though, he himself said he worked hard on improving his skating in the offseason. Whatever, I'm all for distributing ice-team between the two units better. I'm not for putting a guy, who is replacing a right-handed shot and completely changing the dynamics of the unit, in for the sake of putting him in or for a different look. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

Context matters. I have said many many times that Laf surely has worked on his slating. Most likely every off season. Including this one. If it was simply his skating work over this summer that made the difference though, why were all the detractors screeching about how he looked “exactly the same” in pre season? The big difference in his play between last year/preseason and the regular season is obviously CONFIDENCE. Unless you can show me how he suddenly improved his skating between pre and regular season… I have NEVER said he didn’t work on his skating and have said he SHOULD be working on his skating. And he should be working on his shot as well.
Its fine if you don’t like the idea of playing with PP1 in low risk situations, but I’m still for it, and it’s not to pad anyone’s stats. I’ve also not suggested who should be replaced. I still think part of your argument is with someone else.

 

[kovazub94]

While I think there is some truth to your claim about the motives, I believe meaningful PP time helps players with confidence. Obviously Laf has gotten to this point without it, but where might he be if he had gotten it from day 1? Maybe he'd still be where he is now but would have gotten their sooner. Or maybe he'd be advanced of where his is right now. We'll never know, but I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that he would have benefited from it.

I agree with you. It’s a matter of confidence and reps (if we were to separate the too). Lucky Lafreniere was able to get there without being on PP1.

 

[kovazub94]

There’s really no or very little room for contingencies in the playoffs. Coaches with good reason will more likely to double down on what worked for them and what they relied on in the past than try something different. 5-7 games series is a tiny and that’s why micro trends are ignored when we discuss performance and also why luck could be such of big part of success or lack of. Desperation moves like goalie changes or line shuffles are Hail Marie’s that only work in maybe 10% situations when there’s no Hope otherwise. PP changes are in the same group. Moreover, PP success is such a fragile thing to begin with. Even great parts can find themselves not working at all or stop working for no apparent reason. Personally I’m pretty risk averse in my own life and so I very much can appreciate position not to f*** with what’s working.

I guess we will never agree here so let’s agree to disagree.

 

[bhamill]

There’s really no or very little room for contingencies in the playoffs. Coaches with good reason will more likely to double down on what worked for them and what they relied on in the past than try something different. 5-7 games series is a tiny and that’s why micro trends are ignored when we discuss performance and also why luck could be such of big part of success or lack of. Desperation moves like goalie changes or line shuffles are Hail Marie’s that only work in maybe 10% situations when there’s no Hope otherwise. PP changes are in the same group. Moreover, PP success is such a fragile thing to begin with. Even great parts can find themselves not working at all or stop working for no apparent reason. Personally I’m pretty risk averse in my own life and so I very much can appreciate position not to f*** with what’s working.

I guess we will never agree here so let’s agree to disagree.

We partially agree. Though coaches DO regularly switch up non PP lines that have worked well if they stop producing in the playoffs. It happens all the time. The point being finding more than one thing that works BEFORE it’s actually urgent is the smart move. They don't have to work EQUALLY well but having more than one functional PP setup means the coach doesn’t HAVE to double down on something that has gone cold. The time to develop such things isn’t IN the playoffs, it’s in regular season games you have well in hand. Just like experimenting in preseason to get ready for the regular season.
Thats my mind on it anyway, maybe I’m just dumb or f***ing insane. Hahahaha.

 

[huerter]

Second half of 4th year. Bad case of senioritis. Happens to us all. Hell I’m a former high major DOBO and I almost failed intermediate basketball in college.

 

[hockeyplayer999]

Byfield is better than him and we lol know Stutzle is too. In a redraft he might not be top 10.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Byfield is better than him and we lol know Stutzle is too. In a redraft he might not be top 10.

Is he?

He had a hot start and cooled off considerably, to the point where he was demoted to the 3rd line.

I know he had a gimmie goal yesterday but he's been pretty invisible lately.

 

[huerter]

I offered you guys the take it or leave of being the 3rd best player from his draft and you all turned it down with a quickness. Next time don’t be a homer.

 

[NYR94]

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Weird that 2 of the best goal scorers over the last decade are on a list like this, down years or not for them it really makes me not put anything into these "fancy" stats.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Byfield is better than him and we lol know Stutzle is too. In a redraft he might not be top 10.

 

[McRanger92]

Weird that 2 of the best goal scorers over the last decade are on a list like this, down years or not for them it really makes me not put anything into these "fancy" stats.

Wasn't Trocheck worst in the league at finishing through the first half last year? Vaguely remember him being like a -10 in expected goals at one point. The fact that Lafreniere continues to have glorious chances is much more sustainable than the fact that hes not scoring on them. Theyll start going in in bunches eventually. Hopefully in the playoffs

 

[haohmaru]

Wasn't Trocheck worst in the league at finishing through the first half last year? Vaguely remember him being like a -10 in expected goals at one point. The fact that Lafreniere continues to have glorious chances is much more sustainable than the fact that hes not scoring on them. Theyll start going in in bunches eventually. Hopefully in the playoffs

Trocheck hit a boatload of posts last year. Like historically so.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I offered you guys the take it or leave of being the 3rd best player from his draft and you all turned it down with a quickness. Next time don’t be a homer.

Oh damn we should have taken your deal when we had the chance, now look at the consequences!

It would have changed EVERYTHING

 

[McRanger92]

Trocheck hit a boatload of posts last year. Like historically so.

Yup. Laf's definitely hit more than the average this year

 

[huerter]

Oh damn we should have taken your deal when we had the chance, now look at the consequences!

It would have changed EVERYTHING

if you cant do take it or leave its on a message board then what the hell are we doing? More line combos talk!!! Maybe the coaches are reading.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Trocheck hit a boatload of posts last year. Like historically so.

I noticed I hit a ton of posts one season when I was looking at the post thinking don't hit the post.

 

[mas0764]

I'm interested in a buy-low proposition regarding Lundell, by the way.

Can we sell at the deadline? Maybe we can get Lundell and Zegras.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I'm interested in a buy-low proposition regarding Lundell, by the way.

Can we sell at the deadline? Maybe we can get Lundell and Zegras.

Id like lundell, pass on zegras.

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

I noticed I hit a ton of posts one season when I was looking at the post thinking don't hit the post.

I'm convinced the trick to being good at hockey is figuring out how you can trick your brain into doing this while playing posts, instead of in actual games with goalies, then tricking yourself into thinking "don't miss the goalies chest" the same while shooting on a goalie, for maximum goals.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I'm convinced the trick to being good at hockey is figuring out how you can trick your brain into doing this while playing posts, instead of in actual games with goalies, then tricking yourself into thinking "don't miss the goalies chest" the same while shooting on a goalie, for maximum goals.

Often you shoot where you look so if you are looking at the post or goalies chest...........

 

[Ruggs225]

Laf’s problems arw because he practices against shesty. Everything goes in.

When he faces an NHL goalie those same shots are stopped and he doesnt know why.




I jest… well a little

 

[NickyFotiu]

On his recent backhand chance I understood his thinking but when he went backhand he may have had a chance to slide it five hole as the goalie adjusted.

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

On his recent backhand chance I understood his thinking but when he went backhand he may have had a chance to slide it five hole as the goalie adjusted.

This. Or roofed it instead of just trying to go over the pad.

 

[duhmetreE]

his hands are not 'snappy' enough.... if that makes sense.... It sometimes looks like his hands/stick is underwater

He really has to work on that this off-season.