Player Discussion Alexis Lafreniere

[80shockeywasbuns]

We assume this because the alternative is that he is working his ass off and is a talentless player.

Dealer's choice.

Or, option 3 where he is talented and has actually played quite well but the team has failed to identify that and opted to play 4th liners instead

 

[Profet]

Or, option 3 where he is talented and has actually played quite well but the team has failed to identify that and opted to play 4th liners instead

I mean.. we know option 3 is not the case.

He hasn't "actually played quite well."

There are a lot of people who are still on the Laf train... But even they won't say this.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Again, where does this idea that Laf is lazy or has a poor work ethic come from? It seems like people question his work ethic based on nothing other than the fact that the team has yet to increase his role since entering the league. Yet that logic makes no sense given this organizations heinous track record with talent evaluation and development of drafted forwards.

Guys NYR have given more leash in the top 6 than Laf/Kakko since drafting them:
-Colin Blackwell
-Barclay Goodrow
-Jesper fast
-Dryden Hunt

All of these players :
-had zero track record of high end point production at any level
-were significantly older than age ~23 which is the statistical average peak for NHL forwards
-are no longer with the team or were rumored to be traded had they not had an albatross contract with a NMC.
-were not 20 years old with a 20 even strength goal season under their belt.

Instead of seeing all this shit and questioning wtf is going on with this team people would rather baselessly speculate about a players work ethic, even when said players production is extremely good relative to their TOI/deployment

I thought I read about some things Vally said in the past. Then another time more recently Vally was being very careful how he responded to a Laf question. Basically saying we wanted him to grab an opportunity but he hasn't.

 

[inranger94]

Why is this kid always afraid to take on the defender when he has a chance. Always defers to someone else.

 

[Savant]

A microcosm of my issues with Lafreniere can be summed up with how he exited the box after that 5 on 3

 

[NickyFotiu]

A microcosm of my issues with Lafreniere can be summed up with how he exited the box after that 5 on 3

I didn't see it. What do you mean? I did see Laf had 0 shots while Wheeler had 4 shots. If I could speak to Laf Id encourage him to go in to each period with a goal on 2 shots on net. I wouldn't expect him to do it but make that your goal so you are reminded every period to be aggressive offensively.

 

[Daves a mess]

Lafourthlineiere

 

[Synergy27]

Again, where does this idea that Laf is lazy or has a poor work ethic come from? It seems like people question his work ethic based on nothing other than the fact that the team has yet to increase his role since entering the league. Yet that logic makes no sense given this organizations heinous track record with talent evaluation and development of drafted forwards.

Guys NYR have given more leash in the top 6 than Laf/Kakko since drafting them:
-Colin Blackwell
-Barclay Goodrow
-Jesper fast
-Dryden Hunt

All of these players :
-had zero track record of high end point production at any level
-were significantly older than age ~23 which is the statistical average peak for NHL forwards
-are no longer with the team or were rumored to be traded had they not had an albatross contract with a NMC.
-were not 20 years old with a 20 even strength goal season under their belt.

Instead of seeing all this shit and questioning wtf is going on with this team people would rather baselessly speculate about a players work ethic, even when said players production is extremely good relative to their TOI/deployment

For me it’s because he seems to lack compete in races and board battles and also seems to be completely gassed at the end of shifts.

I’ve been watching him very closely trying to give the benefit of the doubt this year. That play he made on the disallowed goal in Columbus was awesome. He played very well in game 1. He’s still very much just a guy though.

Does not look like a player that is capable of taking over a shift, let alone a game/series. He is a side, not the main course.

 

[Savant]

I didn't see it. What do you mean? I did see Laf had 0 shots while Wheeler had 4 shots. If I could speak to Laf Id encourage him to go in to each period with a goal on 2 shots on net. I wouldn't expect him to do it but make that your goal so you are reminded every period to be aggressive offensively.

Lindgren and Lafreniere with both in the box. Got out at the same time and had a really gone chance at a break, except Lindgren outsped Lafreniere, who took the exact same path/line that Lindgren took, and Lafreniere just got in Lindgren’s way. So not only did he basically defer to Lindgren, he never put himself in position to receive a pass. It was terrible to watch

 

[NickyFotiu]

Lindgren and Lafreniere with both in the box. Got out at the same time and had a really gone chance at a break, except Lindgren outsped Lafreniere, who took the exact same path/line that Lindgren took, and Lafreniere just got in Lindgren’s way. So not only did he basically defer to Lindgren, he never put himself in position to receive a pass. It was terrible to watch

Hmmmm Id like to see that video. I said Im giving Laf a clean slate for 40 games with new coach and Im sticking with that. Still have high hopes and high concerns.

 

[Savant]

Hmmmm Id like to see that video. I said Im giving Laf a clean slate for 40 games with new coach and Im sticking with that. Still have high hopes and high concerns.

You only think you want to see that. It was very ugly

You might need a DVR to find that honestly. Early third period right after the 5 on 3 expired

I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed

 

[ORRFForever]

In the 2 games I saw him play, he played really well but, based on the posts above, it sounds like he's returned to being the same old, same old. Such a shame.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Hmmmm Id like to see that video. I said Im giving Laf a clean slate for 40 games with new coach and Im sticking with that. Still have high hopes and high concerns.

Id like to see that too. I was there, but kinda half drunk so i’d like to see it again haha

In the 2 games I saw him play, he played really well but, based on the posts above, it sounds like he's returned to being the same old, same old. Such a shame.

Dont say “such a shame” before you actually saw it for yourself. Unfortunately a lot of posters here are waiting to shit on him for any single play.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I didn't see it. What do you mean? I did see Laf had 0 shots while Wheeler had 4 shots. If I could speak to Laf Id encourage him to go in to each period with a goal on 2 shots on net. I wouldn't expect him to do it but make that your goal so you are reminded every period to be aggressive offensively.

Wheeler looked like shit all 3 games except for one play behind the net. Guy been the worst top 9 player we have, not close.

 

[ORRFForever]

Id like to see that too. I was there, but kinda half drunk so i’d like to see it again haha


Dont say “such a shame” before you actually saw it for yourself. Unfortunately a lot of posters here are waiting to shit on him for any single play.

I'm rooting for the kid. Endlessly rooting for the kid.

 

[bleedblue94]

Again, where does this idea that Laf is lazy or has a poor work ethic come from? It seems like people question his work ethic based on nothing other than the fact that the team has yet to increase his role since entering the league. Yet that logic makes no sense given this organizations heinous track record with talent evaluation and development of drafted forwards.

Guys NYR have given more leash in the top 6 than Laf/Kakko since drafting them:
-Colin Blackwell
-Barclay Goodrow
-Jesper fast
-Dryden Hunt

All of these players :
-had zero track record of high end point production at any level
-were significantly older than age ~23 which is the statistical average peak for NHL forwards
-are no longer with the team or were rumored to be traded had they not had an albatross contract with a NMC.
-were not 20 years old with a 20 even strength goal season under their belt.

Instead of seeing all this shit and questioning wtf is going on with this team people would rather baselessly speculate about a players work ethic, even when said players production is extremely good relative to their TOI/deployment

When the team's studio analyst is on national Canadian radio and openly questions his training and desire, AND states that on merit he wouldn't even have been in the lineup opening night then people are slightly justified in questioning his work ethic. Vally was just on sportsnet last week saying those things...

Wheeler looked like shit all 3 games except for one play behind the net. Guy been the worst top 9 player we have, not close.

Glad you people are starting to get it with Wheeler. I took so much shit when he signed for saying he was an awful fit here and I stand by that statement. He is a shell of what he was

 

[ReddestRum]

He's got 4 shots in 3 games. Zero shots in our win tonight. He's looking much better lately, but he's still f***ing deferring shots. Bedard has 20 shots in 4 games and eventually he's going to learn how to consistently put it in the net. Scorers shoot the puck. We need him to shoot. He should never go a game without putting the puck on net once.

 

[Profet]

Why is this kid always afraid to take on the defender when he has a chance. Always defers to someone else.

He's just not that talented.

I didn't see it. What do you mean? I did see Laf had 0 shots while Wheeler had 4 shots. If I could speak to Laf Id encourage him to go in to each period with a goal on 2 shots on net. I wouldn't expect him to do it but make that your goal so you are reminded every period to be aggressive offensively.

It's just everything... How many times do we need to watch him come down the wall, barely get over the blue line, and then just stop skating.

He has no drive... no motor...

He refuses to attempt a 1-on-1 move. I've seen Vesey make more moves than our 1OA.

 

[NickyFotiu]

He's just not that talented.


It's just everything... How many times do we need to watch him come down the wall, barely get over the blue line, and then just stop skating.

He has no drive... no motor...

He refuses to attempt a 1-on-1 move. I've seen Vesey make more moves than our 1OA.

He will either figure it out or he won't. Give him 40 games with new coach. If he still looks the same then decide what direction to go.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

AND states that on merit he wouldn't even have been in the lineup opening night

LMAO maybe based on the NYR definition of merit, which requires you to be an overpaid veteran 200 foot liability who’s failed upwards due to reputation and intangibles.

Nothing this organization does is based on merit. I’d love to hear Valiquette explain how the various 4th liners we’ve played in the top 6 earned those roles, because they certainly didn’t produce or get any good on-ice results.

 

[bleedblue94]

LMAO maybe based on the NYR definition of merit, which requires you to be an overpaid veteran 200 foot liability who’s failed upwards due to reputation and intangibles.

Nothing this organization does is based on merit. I’d love to hear Valiquette explain how the various 4th liners we’ve played in the top 6 earned those roles, because they certainly didn’t produce or get any good on-ice results.

I mean listen to the segment. You can argue it but mocking people who have an issue with laffy as if there is no basis is blown out the window when paid MSG employees publicly say the same thing...

 

[will1066]

He's got 4 shots in 3 games. Zero shots in our win tonight. He's looking much better lately, but he's still f***ing deferring shots. Bedard has 20 shots in 4 games and eventually he's going to learn how to consistently put it in the net. Scorers shoot the puck. We need him to shoot. He should never go a game without putting the puck on net once.

Bedard's linemates are journeyman Taylor Hall and ex-Kraken Ryan Donato. If he doesn't shoot, he's an idiot.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

I mean listen to the segment. You can argue it but mocking people who have an issue with laffy as if there is no basis is blown out the window when paid MSG employees publicly say the same thing...

Unless I’ve missed something new, all the valiquette quotes are extremely run of the mill and nothing noteworthy. If I recall correctly there was a line about “putting down the golf clubs” that was very clearly just meant in a general sense and not actually insinuating that he doesn’t train or care enough

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Why is this kid always afraid to take on the defender when he has a chance. Always defers to someone else.

It's like asking why Nick Bonino doesn't try and dangle or beat a defender 1on1, he just doesn't have it in him.

You only think you want to see that. It was very ugly

You might need a DVR to find that honestly. Early third period right after the 5 on 3 expired

I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed

MSG+ app/site. You can watch a full replay of the game.

 

[will1066]

It's like asking why Nick Bonino doesn't try and dangle or beat a defender 1on1, he just doesn't have it in him.


MSG+ app/site. You can watch a full replay of the game.

He can dangle. He showed it in the Buffalo game. He doesn't trust himself, I think.