Player Discussion Alexis Lafreniere

[CasusBelli]

I don't think he's Panarin level of "can boost his linemates" but he doesn't totally need to be...as much as we rag on Panarin sometimes he is one of the absolute top offensive players in the league, that's not easy to find even with a 1st overall pick. But I think Laf would be a first line player without Panarin assuming his other linemates are also skilled. I don't think you stick him with plugs and he makes that a first line though...he needs someone with creativity to play off as well.

Kind of like Nylander in that regard (albeit very different players).

 

[noncents]

I'm not sure if he was supposed to be top 10 in scoring this year though. I think he meant at some point. I'm also assuming that assumes PP1 time.

ass of u and me, etc

 

[Peltz]

Off to a terrific start, but part of me wonders what Laf looks like without Panarin. Can he carry a line? He shows brilliance, but anybody would benefit from playing with bread man. That’s what I’d expect from a $8MM player — if that’s what we will spend on him. Nothing wrong if he can’t, but then we should revisit that figure. How much, if at all, would his performance suffer if he played with other line mates or, better yet, to what extent would their production benefit from playing with him?

We’re not talking about a 50-60 point player. Regardless of line mates, he looks like a 70 point player, but I wonder if he can get to 90 without the Bread Man and whether he can turn 40 point guys into 55 point guys.

Another way of looking at this is that Panarin had a career year playing with Laf.

This isn't like Strome generating offensive opportunities with Bread despite doing dumb things out there and playing an entirely perimeter east-west game.

Laf looked like he belonged on the top line, finished his checks, and drove to the crease to score dirty goals as expected of a playoff performer.

Yes, he benefits from playing with possibly the best LW in the game. But he also made the most of his opportunity. And that's something others like Kakko have not at all been able to do. So to me, he's a top line guy and not a pretender getting carried.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Another way of looking at this is that Panarin had a career year playing with Laf.

This isn't like Strome generating offensive opportunities with Bread despite doing dumb things out there and playing an entirely perimeter east-west game.

Laf looked like he belonged on the top line, finished his checks, and drove to the crease to score dirty goals as expected of a playoff performer.

Yes, he benefits from playing with possibly the best LW in the game. But he also made the most of his opportunity. And that's something others like Kakko have not at all been able to do. So to me, he's a top line guy and not a pretender getting carried.

Honestly the eye test is even better than the stats with Laf since last season. He just looks great out there, especially during the playoffs.

Once the team decides to hand him the keys for real he’s going to put up a lot of points.


Reminds me of Fox his rookie season, he was elite af but was being held back statistically because of the pecking order . As soon as they cleared the way for him on PP1 he won the Norris.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Laf should easily break Gilbert's goals record, pending a trade down the line.

 

[QJL]

re: your last sentence, i love the kid but that is some noncents. you're ignoring how good the league is and seeing thru blue colored glasses.

mcD
drai
kuch
mackinnon
hughes
matthews
bread
jtm
pasta
raantanen

Not too far off that list are forwards like the below who all bloomed late. Laf was as good or better than all in his 22yo season.

JTM
Guenztel
Hyman
Reinhart
Verhaeghe
O’Reilly

I consider all of those guys stars at their peaks. Lafreniere is going to be a star in this league. I believe it’ll be tough for him to crack into the elite group but I’m not ruling it out.

 

[Circus86]

Lafs price tag goes up by the minute. Sign that man Drury.

 

[EdJovanovski]

With virtually no PP time

 

[noncents]

y'all think he's better than Raymond?

edit: i'm not saying i dont, before you all jump on me

 

[SnowblindNYR]

View attachment 916938
With virtually no PP time

But according to that one Russian poster he's a 50 point scrub.

 

[IDvsEGO]

y'all think he's better than Raymond?

edit: i'm not saying i dont, before you all jump on me

I think he’s far more dynamic and physical than raymond.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

But according to that one Russian poster he's a 50 point scrub.

According to the guy you quoted he’s a bust who can’t hold the jock of an average KHL player

 

[SnowblindNYR]

According to the guy you quoted he’s a bust who can’t hold the jock of an average KHL player

Ed's a good guy and I think he updates his takes on how bad players are but not how good they are.

 

[will1066]

His face is even more chiseled now. No traces of rookie baby fat on the cheeks. I was kind of stunned when he did the interview with Gingras. He looks grown-up.

 

[bhamill]

y'all think he's better than Raymond?

edit: i'm not saying i dont, before you all jump on me

Yes, he is already better. Better offensively, physicality wise and as a 200 foot player.
I wouldn't trade him for Stutzle either. Away from the power play Laf equaled Tim's scoring stats LAST year. And he'll improve THIS year. He's the best player of his draft class, just took a while.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

What in hell are they waiting for, the comparables right now are 8x8, do it, if this guy plays like this all year he's gonna creep into the 10 mill range.