Are we in Canada paranoid about 2026 or should we not be worried?

[ORRFForever]

There are times when Lafreniere makes those sort of Lecavalier-esque type of moves and he did this last night with that behind the back pass that almost resulted in a goal. Man does this guy ever show flashes of brilliance, in bunches now.

Can you please post it?

 

[Crosby2010]

At 2:20. A nice little spin move and then a no look pass. Pretty as can be. Too bad it didn't go in. But yeah you can't be a bust if you are making moves like that against NHL defenses. This is why I always thought Laf was just on the "wrong" team when it came to busting out. He's a LWer. You've got Panarin and Kreider on that wing already. How do you expect him to rack up points on the 3rd line? You can't, this is why I was patient with him. It is because I saw sneaky moves like this and knew he had it in him. The Rangers were so deep, so he never had to be "the guy". But now, he is definitely climbing the chart on a very good team.

 

[ORRFForever]

At 2:20. A nice little spin move and then a no look pass. Pretty as can be. Too bad it didn't go in. But yeah you can't be a bust if you are making moves like that against NHL defenses. This is why I always thought Laf was just on the "wrong" team when it came to busting out. He's a LWer. You've got Panarin and Kreider on that wing already. How do you expect him to rack up points on the 3rd line? You can't, this is why I was patient with him. It is because I saw sneaky moves like this and knew he had it in him. The Rangers were so deep, so he never had to be "the guy". But now, he is definitely climbing the chart on a very good team.

That was an AMAZING move. Thanks for that.

 

[ORRFForever]

Shane Wright with a pair. Nice !!!!

Edit : And an Assist.

And a goal tonight. Nice!

 

[ORRFForever]

Akil Thomas got his first NHL goal.

A gentle reminder : He's the young man who scored the Gold Medal Winning WJR goal in 2020.

Akil got his 2nd goal tonight. Nice to see him making the most of his chance.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

At 2:20. A nice little spin move and then a no look pass. Pretty as can be. Too bad it didn't go in. But yeah you can't be a bust if you are making moves like that against NHL defenses. This is why I always thought Laf was just on the "wrong" team when it came to busting out. He's a LWer. You've got Panarin and Kreider on that wing already. How do you expect him to rack up points on the 3rd line? You can't, this is why I was patient with him. It is because I saw sneaky moves like this and knew he had it in him. The Rangers were so deep, so he never had to be "the guy". But now, he is definitely climbing the chart on a very good team.

Exactly. I have no clue why most thought Kakko would be better after last season. Shows how worthless analytics can be sometimes. Gotta watch the games and use both.

Lafreniere always had those moments, as you say. I had little doubt he’d at least be a 60 point player that can make enough plays that NHL defensemen can’t defend once he got top 6 minutes.

Kakko meanwhile was an analytics darling, but literally has no scoring traits. He gets the occasional point to maybe be a second liner eventually, but does not have that play in his locker.

You saw those flashes of brilliance from Lafreniere. People got so fooled by the mediocre analytics, lack of ice time/situations, and a bad ending to last season.

 

[ORRFForever]

Exactly. I have no clue why most thought Kakko would be better after last season. Shows how worthless analytics can be sometimes. Gotta watch the games and use both.

Lafreniere always had those moments, as you say. I had little doubt he’d at least be a 60 point player that can make enough plays that NHL defensemen can’t defend once he got top 6 minutes.

Kakko meanwhile was an analytics darling, but literally has no scoring traits. He gets the occasional point to maybe be a second liner eventually, but does not have that play in his locker.

You saw those flashes of brilliance from Lafreniere. People got so fooled by the mediocre analytics, lack of ice time/situations, and a bad ending to last season.

I hope he takes it to the NEXT level in the Fall. Rooting for the kid!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I hope he takes it to the NEXT level in the Fall. Rooting for the kid!

Going to be tough without more power play time. I don’t see that happening unless somehow they go first round with another anemic Panarin playoffs. Maybe they’ll shake things up and trade him or Kreider then.

What will really get him more PP time is if someone gets injured. The team has had virtually all the first PP forwards healthy all season, so if next season we see more time missed then he could benefit there with more power play time.

 

[Crosby2010]

Going to be tough without more power play time. I don’t see that happening unless somehow they go first round with another anemic Panarin playoffs. Maybe they’ll shake things up and trade him or Kreider then.

What will really get him more PP time is if someone gets injured. The team has had virtually all the first PP forwards healthy all season, so if next season we see more time missed then he could benefit there with more power play time.

That's what I think is even more impressive with him. He barely gets power play time. And he still has 56 points. 6 of them are on the PP. Only Panarin and Trocheck (by one point) have more even strength points. And he gets less ice time than all of them. I am not saying the Rangers haven't utilized him well, because I don't think you ever can go wrong by easing a star prospect into action, but does anyone think he wouldn't do better than someone like Kreider on the PP? You could add 30 points to his totals this year if he was a regular on the 1st PP unit.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

That's what I think is even more impressive with him. He barely gets power play time. And he still has 56 points. 6 of them are on the PP. Only Panarin and Trocheck (by one point) have more even strength points. And he gets less ice time than all of them. I am not saying the Rangers haven't utilized him well, because I don't think you ever can go wrong by easing a star prospect into action, but does anyone think he wouldn't do better than someone like Kreider on the PP? You could add 30 points to his totals this year if he was a regular on the 1st PP unit.

The thing is Kreider and Zibanejad are basically PP specialists, and they are legitimately good at it. Trocheck is the one who isn’t anything special on the PP, but he’s having his best season of his career and is automatic at winning the PP face offs.

It’s a very tough spot to be in. There’s just not that spot open and maybe when there was he didn’t get first chance and Trocheck ran with it.

It’s probably going to take another year or two, but I think he will eventually get there. All those guys are older. He’s going to be the guy offensively in a few years. It’s a double edged sword. If he wins a Cup this year before all those guys in his draft and some of the other ones close in proximity I don’t think he’s trading the winning he’s experienced so early in his career for being given the keys to the car day 1 like Hughes or Stuetzle got, but he was drafted into a situation where there’s an internal hierarchy.

My hope is by his mid 20’s he’s a machine and the guy. He’s still only 22. Might cost him a few points for the course of his career and an individual accolade or two, but he might also get the Cup out of the way early.

 

[Crosby2010]

The thing is Kreider and Zibanejad are basically PP specialists, and they are legitimately good at it. Trocheck is the one who isn’t anything special on the PP, but he’s having his best season of his career and is automatic at winning the PP face offs.

It’s a very tough spot to be in. There’s just not that spot open and maybe when there was he didn’t get first chance and Trocheck ran with it.

It’s probably going to take another year or two, but I think he will eventually get there. All those guys are older. He’s going to be the guy offensively in a few years. It’s a double edged sword. If he wins a Cup this year before all those guys in his draft and some of the other ones close in proximity I don’t think he’s trading the winning he’s experienced so early in his career for being given the keys to the car day 1 like Hughes or Stuetzle got, but he was drafted into a situation where there’s an internal hierarchy.

My hope is by his mid 20’s he’s a machine and the guy. He’s still only 22. Might cost him a few points for the course of his career and an individual accolade or two, but he might also get the Cup out of the way early.

Not that I ever want to saddle someone with this comparison but Lafleur took off in his 4th year. Thornton wasn't "the guy" until his 5th or 6th year on Boston. It might surprise people. It isn't a bad thing to ease a star in.

 

[ORRFForever]

And he still has 56 points. 6 of them are on the PP.

^^ That is INSANE !!!! ^^

***************************************************************************************************************

Jordan Kyrou, a diamond in the 2016 - 2019 coal, with his 28th and 29th goal. He needs a serious look.

 

[Crosby2010]

^^ That is INSANE !!!! ^^

***************************************************************************************************************

Jordan Kyrou, a diamond in the 2016 - 2019 coal, with his 28th and 29th goal. He needs a serious look.

Even in a couple of years I don't think he quite makes the cut. Maybe on Team Canada B. But we have too much talent ahead of him.

 

[ORRFForever]

Akil Thomas is making the most of his NHL time...

5 games, 3 goals.

 

[ORRFForever]

My God, McDavid skates beautifully. MacKinnon, too. I want to see them in a Canadian (Best On Best) uniform.

 

[HFpapi]

Listening to the newest Spittin' Chiclets podcast and Adam Lowry's name was thrown out there as a guy who could/should be in contention for Canada's 4th line centre role.

 

[Nucks2001]

Listening to the newest Spittin' Chiclets podcast and Adam Lowry's name was thrown out there as a guy who could/should be in contention for Canada's 4th line centre role.

Love Adam Lowry and could see him as a spare part, but 4th line centre? Canada is so deep at centre that we could roll Robert Thomas or Brayden Point at 4th line centre. McDavid, Crosby, Mack, Bedard, Barzal, Horvat, Stamkos, Scheifele, McTavish, Suzuki. Too loaded to have someone like Lowry

 

[Nakawick]

I think the op might be paranoid, I haven’t even thought about it yet. Relax bud, still a couple years out.

 

[HFpapi]

Love Adam Lowry and could see him as a spare part, but 4th line centre? Canada is so deep at centre that we could roll Robert Thomas or Brayden Point at 4th line centre. McDavid, Crosby, Mack, Bedard, Barzal, Horvat, Stamkos, Scheifele, McTavish, Suzuki. Too loaded to have someone like Lowry

Yeah I agree with you. Was just throwing it out there since I found it interesting.

I don't hate the idea of Lowry but we have too many good options like you said to justify taking a player of his quality even though I like what he brings.

To be fair, Team Canada historically prefers a guy with Lowry's profile (though higher level a la Mike Richards) to play 4th line C over skilled guys like a Barzal or Stamkos.

Horvat or Thomas are my picks for 4th line C and hopefully eventually McTavish fills that role well.

 

[ORRFForever]

How is Hellebuyck the best goalie in the NHL? Just awful against Colorado.

P.S. Demko is hurt, again. My prediction of Vancouver going out in Round 1 is looking better all the time.

P.S.S. Makar is pretty good.

P.S.S.S. LAF with 3 points in 2 games - all assists.

 

[Mathieukferland]

How is Hellebuyck the best goalie in the NHL? Just awful against Colorado.

P.S. Demko is hurt, again. My prediction of Vancouver going out in Round 1 is looking better all the time.

P.S.S. Makar is pretty good.

P.S.S.S. LAF with 3 points in 2 games - all assists.

If Lafrenière can increase his production next year his physical element is something that the forwards lack and would make him highly sought after for a spot; just needs to increase his dynamism offensively

 

[ORRFForever]

Drew Doughty is a beast. At 35 - 36, I still want him there.

**

As most know, I am NOT a Marner fan, and he has been AWFUL against Boston. Shockingly bad.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

As most know, I am NOT a Marner fan, and he has been AWFUL against Boston. Shockingly bad.

What do you think is the issue for Mitch?

I think it's mental. He doesn't handle the pressure well of being the home town star in a market where there's a lot of pressure.

 

[ORRFForever]

What do you think is the issue for Mitch?

I think it's mental. He doesn't handle the pressure well of being the home town star in a market where there's a lot of pressure.

I don't know, PB. There's a rumour he's hurt but...

Toronto is sick of the guy. If he wasn't so greedy, he'd be tolerable but... he's gonna want $12M/yr and a NMC and that's gonna hurt. If you trade him, he takes his 90 points a year, turns into Kadri and wins a Cup somewhere else. If Toronto keeps him, he arrogantly chews up your salary cap and EVERY year he is garbage when it counts.

What do you do if you're Toronto and do you want THAT on Team Canada?

 

[ORRFForever]

Dylan Holloway with a snipe and his 2nd goal of the night.

Another Canadian kid from the 2020 beast of a Draft.