Player Discussion Alexis Lafreniere

[Rangers in 7]

He’s shown flashes of this in the past. He just needs to continue it. Playing with a rejuvenated panarin he looked excellent tonight.

One major thing that surprised me considering his play in pre-season was his skating. He looked much faster

I’ve been saying it for years but confidence to go out and play on the 2nd line with panarin will do him wonders this year

 

[AirGut]

looked like he did in the WJC tonight, every play he made was decisive and done with conviction. The hell did Lavi say to him earlier today?

 

[CLW]

Laffy PLEASE keep giving the same effort you showed tonight, please!!

He looked stronger physically to me, but this is the crucial point. Keep this engagement up night after night

 

[TJHKY]

Keep going Laf

 

[ReddestRum]

Laf looked great tonight. The whole team surprised me tonight. Hears to hoping he can stay consistent. A goal in the first game has to be a confidence booster and hopefully he rides the wave.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

looked like he did in the WJC tonight, every play he made was decisive and done with conviction. The hell did Lavi say to him earlier today?

Probably told him to go and do his thing. Dont worry about being benched for making a mistake, something the last coaches would do so he had to play a garbage safe game and not hold onto the puck.

 

[mrmovies779]

The entire top 6 was fantastic tonight.Lavi needs to ride these lines all year long

 

[Kords]

Generational face off wins tonight.

Forget RW, swap him to 2C

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

All yall over reacting over a bad preseason game better get your butts in here and over react about one regular season game

 

[The Crypto Guy]

All yall over reacting over a bad preseason game better get your butts in here and over react about one regular season game

Nah they won’t because they looks like clowns now lmao

 

[NickyFotiu]

Nah they won’t because they looks like clowns now lmao

Good start for Laf and the team. Lets keep it up so everyone can stay happy.

 

[ORRFForever]

looked like he did in the WJC tonight, every play he made was decisive and done with conviction.

Yes. He looked very confident out there.

 

[Synergy27]

I want to be wrong about this more than anything. Keep going kid.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Laf has had good games throughout his short career, but he hasn’t moved or skated as well as he did tonight.

It’s not just confidence. This is a reflection of putting in hard work (despite the lack of IG vids) and addressing his biggest flaw imo. He was very quick on the puck tonight, and made plays in all 3 zones.

Keep it up, kid.

 

[will1066]

This is what happens when you eat a pre-game meal the day before the game.

 

[Greg02]

All yall over reacting over a bad preseason game better get your butts in here and over react about one regular season game

I'm here for it.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

All yall over reacting over a bad preseason game better get your butts in here and over react about one regular season game

Nah they won’t because they looks like clowns now lmao

Some posters went haywire, but there was a lot of valid criticism. There still is, lol. It’s 1 game.

He hasn’t looked better than he did tonight though. If this the really the new Laf, then let’s gooooooooo.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Probably told him to go and do his thing. Dont worry about being benched for making a mistake, something the last coaches would do so he had to play a garbage safe game and not hold onto the puck.

I was a fan of the Gallant hire. Not going to lie. But it is clear he had one mission, win at all costs. Our new coach clearly knows that tapping any untapped potential that Laf has can help lead him to the promise land.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

Glad for him at the human level

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Eat yer crow. Opportunity creates confidence

 

[markymarc1215]

If anyone needed a great first game, it was him. And he delivered. Best game I have seen from him since Round 1 vs the Penguins. If he brings this every game, there is zero chance he hovers around 40 points again. Especially with Panarin on his line. And as others said already, having a Kakko and Laf play even 75% to their potential changes the dynamic and landscape of this team.

 

[Harbour Dog]

You can see in his post-game interview when he gets asked about how this year "will be different", he immediately recedes into self-protection. Much less eye contact, starts stumbling over his words more, pulls hat down lower, starts bringing his hand protectively to his neck.

I can't speak for everybody that defends him against people shitting on him, but I see a kid that's experiencing bullying for the first time, and I think that's why I've been a little more reactive than normal to all the hate directed at him this pre-season. It bothers me on a human level.

 

[bhamill]

You can see in his post-game interview when he gets asked about how this year "will be different", he immediately recedes into self-protection. Much less eye contact, starts stumbling over his words more, pulls hat down lower, starts bringing his hand protectively to his neck.

I can't speak for everybody that defends him against people shitting on him, but I see a kid that's experiencing bullying for the first time, and I think that's why I've been a little more reactive than normal to all the hate directed at him this pre-season. It bothers me on a human level.

Not that I think he reads these boards but when people were laughing at him getting injured, as slight as it was, that was an eye opener. There’s some genuine hate for this kid on here. Luckily I don’t think it’s most people who have been down on him, but still… f***ed up.

 

[bhamill]

Very good game for the top six, especially Laf. I think it’s obvious he took a good step this off season physically and mental maturity wise. It’s going to be a matter of confidence how big a step he takes in his play this season. Hopefully he keeps this up and the whole ridiculous “he has no ability” “he does nothing well” narrative dies a stupid quick death. Most of us will be happier for it.

 

[Baby Punisher]

Good job by Laff tonight. Let's hope he builds on it.