The problem with Laf is that everything about him is just so pedestrian. Kakko has the board play and cycle possession skills and silky hands driving the net. He needs strength and confidence but you can see exactly what type of player you would expect him to be at his peak. Chytil has great speed, a very good shot and good hands. Around the league, you see it all the time. Guys like Andreas Athanasiou never become anything to write home about but they do flash the skills that got them to the show and into a top nine role regularly. Guys like Hughes, when struggling in their rookie season, still show massive skill immediately - and it isn’t because of the extra minutes or the PP time. The first time he stepped on NHL ice he was ready to try carrying the puck, try taking an NHL defender one on one, try threading the needle, not hesitant to shoot. Bedard in his first preseason game literally refused to get off the ice in OT and literally ended the game with a beautiful backhand saucer pass. You should see some of the highlights from his first game - plays he didn’t score on but looked ridiculously good on. It’s not about comparing them as players necessarily, or their situations, it’s about that hunger to step on the ice and immediately WANT it and want to show what you’re capable of. Laf just looks like the most non-descript, totally pedestrian guy out there and he doesn’t show any personal initiative to take over a shift. You have a new coach and opportunity to make fresh impressions. It’s preseason. It’s the time to make a mistake going for the skill play. You can chalk it up to “getting my timing and getting confident with handling the puck - don’t worry coach, in a meaningful game that puck gets deep”. There’s no reason for him to come out and play neutered and for us to blame it on GG or DQ right now. He has every opportunity to come out and try to show something here in preseason and instead he just looks like happy Laffy from game 60 last year. Totally average.
That’s my biggest issue with him. Even if he does reach 60 points eventually, he won’t move the needle for us. He won’t become a play driver. He’s a complimentary piece, even if he’s in the 50+ point range. I hope he finds something to show us this year. I can’t see it.
