But you do understand that it isn’t just points, right? If he gets 53 this year and matches Mack’s D+4 he is still nowhere near the player Mack was even back then. You do understand that right? That Laf is zero semblance of a play driver? That it’s not just about point totals? And that the reason he has been yanked all over the lineup could have to do with him? That it’s just as possible that the reason Laf’s been “mistreated” is because he doesn’t listen to coaching and doesn’t show much work ethic? Speculating that the lack of a long leash is the cause of his struggles works in the opposite direction as well. His poor play very likely does have to do with it, and his poor play is also why it won’t matter if he manages to meet Mack’s D+4 - he isn’t half the player Mack was in his D+1 through 4, regardless of pure totals. People are so fixated on numbers instead of assessing HOW he plays. How he plays… sucks. If he puts up 45 points this year looking just like he did last year, he will still suck. Unless he materially changes the way he plays and the impact he makes, I really don’t think it will matter one way or the other if he ends up with 2-3 more or less goals, and 2-3 more or less assists. He is currently an ineffective and poor player.
Laf also was the oldest in his draft class so he started his career at 19. Nathan MacKinnon turned 18 two weeks before training camp. Laf was a full year older in his D+1 and will be a full year older for his D+4 this year.
