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

[SnowblindNYR]

I love how the narrative changes now that he is having such a great season. About 6 months ago he got shit on more than any other player on the team and that is saying something with the ration of shit that Trouba and Mika get. Not many people calling him a bust these days.

The hater narrative also changed from worse than Yakupov to you don't have to be a non-NHLer to be a bust.

 

[noncents]

No I never watch any Ranger games. I have not been watching Ranger games since the mid 1970s. Why would I watch games lol?

In past seasons there have been games where he looked good but did not produce on the score sheet. Nice to see him looking good as well as producing. The stats that poster mentioned were a step up from his earlier good season. My only concerns are can he do it at a similar level without Bread (when Bread ages). Also his lines defense specifically Laf and Bread.


It is not really that shocking. When guys play well they get the rewards. That could mean additional playing time, fan appreciation, or a better contract. Last season was not a good season for Laf. We can be honest about that while appreciating how well he has played this season.

i don't think that we've seen the best of lafreniere yet. he may yet carry a line and give less up defensively

 

[IDvsEGO]

i don't think that we've seen the best of lafreniere yet. he may yet carry a line and give less up defensively

I don’t think he gives up a ton defensively now.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

I love how the narrative changes now that he is having such a great season. About 6 months ago he got shit on more than any other player on the team and that is saying something with the ration of shit that Trouba and Mika get. Not many people calling him a bust these days.

I think people had every right to be upset/disappointed with his play until this season. I certainly was.

Where it went too far was the comments like “how on earth did this guy go first overall?” and “he doesn’t do anything particularly well”.

To me, that’s like when babies think you disappear when you put your hands in front of your face. The guy won the CHL MVP award as a f***ing 17 year old. He’s supremely talented. You can tell how talented he is just by the way he handles the puck. People who couldn’t see that need their eyes checked, even if it wasn’t manifesting in points or good play yet.

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

Sounds like something Jovo would say

Haha......I was trying not to specifically call anyone out.

 

[NickyFotiu]

i don't think that we've seen the best of lafreniere yet. he may yet carry a line and give less up defensively

I assume you are right and I hope he has not peaked yet. Will be interesting to see both the playoffs and how he starts next season. I'm hoping he builds on this season.

 

[Dijock94]

Lafreniere's emergence as a top line scorer is the key to bridging the prophesized "2 Cup Windows"

Thank god someone else said it. Still have a future

Lafreniere
Kakko
Chytil(health)
Cuylle
Othmann
Perreault
Rempe
Edstrom

Fox
Miller
Schneider
Jones

 

[Anthony5967]

Just found the last Laf thread for a laugh. We had people on here saying he was SIGNIFICANTLY worse than Yakupov. That was in October. Oops.

Now the same ones want to tell you Kakko is a plug. Kakko got the boot from line 1 because they struggled to actually convert, despite the quality looks. Kakko is another guy I still believe in. He needs to do what Laf did though and strengthen his lower body and get a quicker first step. Laf can fly now and is more mobile.

 

[Chytilmania]

Those posters should be listed so we know who not to take serious on here.

They will be jailed along with Gallant.

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

Now the same ones want to tell you Kakko is a plug. Kakko got the boot from line 1 because they struggled to actually convert, despite the quality looks. Kakko is another guy I still believe in. He needs to do what Laf did though and strengthen his lower body and get a quicker first step. Laf can fly now and is more mobile.

In Kakko's defense, that line has turned whoever's ben on with the BFFL's into a black hole offensively.

Kakko
Wheeler
Roslovic

KK wasn't the problem with that line IMO and Roslovic isn't either. Mika's having an awful season in all respects, especially at even strength, and that line really doesn't have a playstyle at ES when they don't have an odd man rush.

 

[ArPanet]

Laf’s face makes him look like he isn’t fat anymore.

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

We can talk this to death. Kreider and Mika need to be split up. They won't. No matter who we put there, it's not a line 1.

 

[McRanger]

Its so weird that putting him with offensively gifted veterans has helped him grow his offensive game.

 

[jay from jersey]

Thank god someone else said it. Still have a future

Lafreniere
Kakko
Chytil(health)
Cuylle
Othmann
Perreault
Rempe
Edstrom

Fox
Miller
Schneider
Jones

And shesty. He’s not a gray beard yet….
Add sykora and Berard. Both will be nhl players. What capacity and how good remains to be seen.

No doubt we’ll add more picks/prospects And go to the free agency well too.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Its so weird that putting him with offensively gifted veterans has helped him grow his offensive game.

You’re a few weeks late here. This board has now entered the “he put on 30 pounds of muscle and channeled Barbara Underhill over the summer” phase.

If he dedicates himself this summer he’s going to put up 150 ES points next year at this rate.

 

[Chytilmania]

Laf’s face makes him look like he isn’t fat anymore.

I would love to see what his weight/body fat % is this season compared to the last two. He looks like he has a lot less fat to lug around. Combine that with improving his hip mobility which gives you a greater stride length, 30% more leg strength and being on a top line, now we have the breakout. But it all stemmed from getting in shape so he can keep up with Panarin and Trocheck.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

This is next level Laffy.

For seasons, Sam and Joe were placating him (as were many fans, myself included) when he would do anything positive, to pump his tires. They would and still do with Kakko, because these kids are young, they are expected to be stars and they are trying to take the pressure off.

Occasionally he would do something sick like the behind the back goals against Det and Wash.

But now there are consistently several moments (almost every game) when they are genuinely wowed by what they are seeing, similar to how other young stars show up against the Rangers. I would argue its becoming even more impressive, especially when you see shit like this.

The training wheels are not only off, they have been thrown into the furnace.

 

[JCProdigy]

Maybe this is the leftover pre-season "COPIUM" reserves talking but this guy seems to have shown a flash here and there of elite skill?.....

If they would have scored on that play it would have been looked at as one of the plays of the year. Jimmy Vesey thinks that was sick.

....also if Kravtsov tried that, he would have somehow broken his neck along the boards.

 

[bhamill]

In Kakko's defense, that line has turned whoever's ben on with the BFFL's into a black hole offensively.

Kakko
Wheeler
Roslovic

KK wasn't the problem with that line IMO and Roslovic isn't either. Mika's having an awful season in all respects, especially at even strength, and that line really doesn't have a playstyle at ES when they don't have an odd man rush.

20 and 93 havent clicked with a RW in f***ing years. Literally years. At some point we should ALL just admit that it’s not the wing du juor who is the problem…

 

[Nickmo82]

Good thing is, even if Laf needs a top tier line mate to produce (not saying he does, or will necessarily, but if...) we're not the Islanders or Winnipeg. Top end free agents are always looking to come here.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Good thing is, even if Laf needs a top tier line mate to produce (not saying he does, or will necessarily, but if...) we're not the Islanders or Winnipeg. Top end free agents are always looking to come here.

Ugh I feel bad for the next “big money free agent” who signs with the Rangers after Panarin.

 

[Fitzy]

Ugh I feel bad for the next “big money free agent” who signs with the Rangers after Panarin.

If things stay as they are, that will be Panarin again.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Good thing is, even if Laf needs a top tier line mate to produce (not saying he does, or will necessarily, but if...) we're not the Islanders or Winnipeg. Top end free agents are always looking to come here.

I don't think he does. He's done his share of driving play all season.

All he needs is a player to finish the chances he creates.

It sure doesn't hurt, though, having a player like Panarin that can get the puck to him when he's open, too.

 

[JCProdigy]

I don't think he does. He's done his share of driving play all season.

All he needs is a player to finish the chances he creates.

It sure doesn't hurt, though, having a player like Panarin that can get the puck to him when he's open, too.

Even so, this is where Perreault's development into a viable NHL winger would be oh so wonderful for the franchise.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Even so, this is where Perreault's development into a viable NHL winger would be oh so wonderful for the franchise.

Perreault and Laf together for many years sounds good.