Player Discussion Alexis Lafreniere

[bobbop]

Think of this as a 1-1 contract. As I posted last summer, annother undistinguished season and Lafreniere will be available in a trade with a year to run on his contract. Kakko deal last year was exactly the same situation. Kaapo found his place. Let’s see if Alexis can also.

 

[hackeyman]

I'm hoping the fact that they got this wrapped up now indicates he's focused on having a big year. Lets go Rangers !

 

[Clark Kellogg]

NHL Network take on Alexis Lafrenier:

 

[will1066]

Lots of conjecture in this thread the past day that Laf found mostly delicious and ate up.

 

[Kords]

NHL Network take on Alexis Lafrenier:

No way do these guys no more than some of our resident Laf experts! I’ll take the opinions of Lafsuxlol_3 over these clowns any day!

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Think of this as a 1-1 contract. As I posted last summer, annother undistinguished season and Lafreniere will be available in a trade with a year to run on his contract. Kakko deal last year was exactly the same situation. Kaapo found his place. Let’s see if Alexis can also.

Kakko "found his place" scoring exactly one point more than Lafreniere while being a year older... Lafreniere scored 19 even strength goals the year prior at 20 years old while Kakko scored 18 points total.

 

[leetch99]

If Lafreniere and Kakko became legit players, this team would be...well, they would be as good as people think they are lol

An added bonus would be seeing a few more upping their games a wee bit in Miller & Schneider and also Chytil . It is actually not that big a reach for these kids with a new coaching staff in place . I think Peca and Housley will really help the team overall .

 

[DialUp]

No way do these guys no more than some of our resident Laf experts! I’ll take the opinions of Lafsuxlol_3 over these clowns any day!

OK, everything they said was information, with the exception of Boudreau talking about his skill. I just don't see it. I will believe when I do. Just like aliens.

 

[Ruggs225]

I didnt realize that laf had more even strength goals than Zibby and only 5 behind Panarin, and thats in much less ice time.

If he had legit PP time he would be over 60 pts a year.

The place where he might fit best on the PP is actually the place where we have the best player in the NHL at. kreider’s spot. Laff has some good deflections, and has scored a good amount of greasy goals down low.

But yeah kreider is the best there and cant be moved. Really sucks for Laf althat he got drafted by NYR and is blocked everywhere he goes.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I didnt realize that laf had more even strength goals than Zibby and only 5 behind Panarin, and thats in much less ice time.

If he had legit PP time he would be over 60 pts a year.

The place where he might fit best on the PP is actually the place where we have the best player in the NHL at. kreider’s spot. Laff has some good deflections, and has scored a good amount of greasy goals down low.

But yeah kreider is the best there and cant be moved. Really sucks for Laf althat he got drafted by NYR and is blocked everywhere he goes.

His best spot for his skill set is actually even worse. It’s at the left point where Panarin typically sits. That’s where he was in the Q, and he dominated.
Pre draft scouting raved about his vision and passing.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Kakko "found his place" scoring exactly one point more than Lafreniere while being a year older... Lafreniere scored 19 even strength goals the year prior at 20 years old while Kakko scored 18 points total.

Kakko was also out for what 20 games?

 

[JHS]

"Here are the second contracts of the three No. 1 picks before Lafrenière:

Jack Hughes, eight years, $8 million average annual value;
Rasmus Dahlin, three years, $6 million AAV and
Nico Hischier, seven years, $7.25 million AAV."

I posted this in the original Laf thread. I went back even further and he's literally the only top overall pick not to get a long term deal since Nail Yakupov. It's unreal!

 

[IDvsEGO]

I posted this in the original Laf thread. I went back even further and he's literally the only top overall pick not to get a long term deal since Nail Yakupov. It's unreal!

And he’s also the first 1oa to not go to a shitty team since a really long time.
His best comp in terms of time and growth is kessel.

 

[JHS]

And he’s also the first 1oa to not go to a shitty team since a really long time.
His best comp in terms of time and growth is kessel.

The Quinn teams were terrible- there was talent but have you forgotten the reason they got the first overall pick was because they were lottery eligible.

 

[IDvsEGO]

The Quinn teams were terrible- there was talent but have you forgotten the reason they got the first overall pick was because they were lottery eligible.

We got the pick because we were a bubble playoff team during Covid and any team that lost in that first bubble round was in the lotto and had the exact same odds.

 

[JHS]

We got the pick because we were a bubble playoff team during Covid and any team that lost in that first bubble round was in the lotto and had the exact same odds.

Still 100% not a "good team."

 

[IDvsEGO]

Still 100% not a "good team."

And yet what 5 points out of a wild card spot, and also stacked at his natural position with 2 all-stars.

 

[JHS]

And yet what 5 points out of a wild card spot, and also stacked at his natural position with 2 all-stars.

Sure they were a "good team" that got swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in August of a pandemic year- you are right, Laf never had a chance with this organization because he had to compete with such illustrious NHL'ers like Phillip Di Giuseppe

 

[Ruggs225]

I posted this in the original Laf thread. I went back even further and he's literally the only top overall pick not to get a long term deal since Nail Yakupov. It's unreal!

How many 1st overalls. Had a 90+ point player and another ~30 goalscorer that played the exact positions as them when drafted.

This was a unique situation. And one that is completely awful for the player.

 

[IDvsEGO]

How many 1st overalls. Had a 90+ point player and another ~30 goalscorer that played the exact positions as them when drafted.

This was a unique situation. And one that is completely awful for the player.

And as much as people hate on him, he has shown growth, and he plays a type of game where he’s designed to be a monster in the playoffs.
I think Matthew tkachuk is a solid comp in terms of agitator/while also having skill

 

[haohmaru]

This was a unique situation. And one that is completely awful for the player.

But great for the team.

 

[bobbop]

Kakko "found his place" scoring exactly one point more than Lafreniere while being a year older... Lafreniere scored 19 even strength goals the year prior at 20 years old while Kakko scored 18 points total.

Scoring is hardly the only place a player finds their game.

 

[Leonardo87]

Kakko "found his place" scoring exactly one point more than Lafreniere while being a year older... Lafreniere scored 19 even strength goals the year prior at 20 years old while Kakko scored 18 points total.

It’s not just about points though. Kakko is developing into a solid two way player who can kill penalties, and whatnot.

Laf has more to be desired.

 

[Peltz]

Talk about no proof, the above is complete conjecture. The facts are he wasn’t offer sheeted despite the fact that the Rangers were very vulnerable to it and the assets going the other direction would’ve been minimal. This speaks to the fact that the teams around the league, including much of this fan base, don’t think he’s taking that next step. I hope that’s not true but this is the evidence before us.

Does it really even matter what the league thinks? Laf is 21.

For context, Adam Fox didn't even enter the NHL until he was this age. And, despite a very good rookie year, it wasn't until Fox's second year when DeAngelo got permanently benched and Fox got PP1 time that his Norris-level play truly started.

Barring the Conor McDavids and Sidney Crosby's of the world, I'm pretty sure most GMs and coaches will admit that they really don't know whether any prospect will become a star until they actually become a star.

And even then, it only comes when giving the player the opportunity to be a star and the player making the most of it.

Bottom line is this:

Laf has gotten some of those opportunities to become a star (but not as much as other 1st overalls) and hasn't yet made the most of them. That's where we stand right now. We don't know whether that will change. It's up to both the coaching staff and Laf himself to both step it up if any improvement will happen.

Can he still be a star? Yes. But is it likely at this point? Probably a bit less than a 50/50 shot in my opinion. But that doesn't mean other teams - especially those in rebuild mode - didn't want to risk a chance on the kid. It's more that offer sheets rarely happen.

Kakko "found his place" scoring exactly one point more than Lafreniere while being a year older... Lafreniere scored 19 even strength goals the year prior at 20 years old while Kakko scored 18 points total.

No offense, but if you think Kakko is only "one point better" than Laf then you need your eyes checked. He's far more trustworthy and versatile than Laf at this point. And he's harder to play against. Kakko draws penalties, wins puck battles, and had some bad luck finishing chances. Laf, on the other hand, does none of those things but just finishes better.

I'd love to have more players like Kakko and less like Laf right now.

 

[Peltz]

NHL Network take on Alexis Lafrenier: