F Alexis Lafreniere - Rimouski Oceanic, QMJHL (2020 Draft) Part 2

[euro]

I agree with you but one thing you have to consider is that the weaker player your are talking about are almost never on the ice against Laf, he plays most of the time against top player and D from other team.

 

[13 others]

The OHL > QMJHL stereotype is old and outdated.

Last Memorial Cup Champions since 2010:
QMJHL (5x)
OHL (4x)
WHL(1x)

But that’s not the topic at hand. Alexis Lafreniere is going number 1, no matter who gets to pick 1st and no matter how Byfield is good. Lafreniere is a killer. He shows up to play and win. And try taking puck away from him. He’s more dynamic than MacKinnon.

Topic already debated at hand but still relevant and correct me if I’m wrong but the Mem Cup is awarded to who again? Yeah, best team in CHL.

That has nothing to do with the strength of the league itself. The Q has a few reasons that their top teams dominate:

1)WHL 22 teams, OHL 20 teams, QMJHL 18 teams
2) You are allowed to trade 1st round picks in the Q so it's easy to create superteams

The league itself is weaker as a whole. With Quebec and the Maritimes shrinking population it isn't getting better with time.

 

[Spectra]

Can he play C in the NHL? Will he?

 

[Treb]

Can he play C in the NHL? Will he?

Maybe. Probably not.

He is a better winger than C so that is where he should play.

 

[Wondercarrot]

Veleno needs to do a better job moving the puck to Lafreniere than he has in the first 2 ex games.

 

[Dominance]

He is having an utterly OUTSTANDING all-around game today. Yeah, he’s older and it’s one game in, but he looks every bit as good as McDavid ever did in 2015, and astronomically more commanding than Hughes.

 

[tealhockey]

He is having an utterly OUTSTANDING all-around game today. Yeah, he’s older and it’s one game in, but he looks every bit as good as McDavid ever did in 2015, and astronomically more commanding than Hughes.

I don't think he's as good as McDavid but I agree he's much more impressive than Hughes. what a game

 

[tealhockey]

Talk about willing your team to a win

 

[Dominance]

Best prospect since McDavid. Close but clear.

 

[Boonk]

This kid is absolutely dynamite! What a fantastic performance against the US!!

 

[Filthy Dangles]

wait, there's actually people that think or would take Byfield at 1...?

 

[Jabba11]

Only took 1 game for the world to see how special is Lafreniere. Best prospect since McDavid.

That GWG, was insane. All instincts and talent. just WOW

 

[tealhockey]

Only took 1 game for the world to see how special is Lafreniere. Best prospect since McDavid.

That GWG, was insane. All instincts and talent. just WOW

Yeah, it was a terrible turn-over and soft pass but the athleticism, instincts + quality shined through on that play/finish. Plus a big time to step up and make a statement

 

[TimeZone]

wait, there's actually people that think or would take Byfield at 1...?

People who haven't seen Lafreniere play.

 

[Wintersun]

Yeah, Lafreniere is 1st overall, it's not close and has never been. The way he processes the game is rarely seen even among the best of the best in the NHL.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

People who haven't seen Lafreniere play.

Must be. There's absolutely no discussion to be had imo.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Only took 1 game for the world to see how special is Lafreniere. Best prospect since McDavid.

That GWG, was insane. All instincts and talent. just WOW

I get people are excited and Laf just had an incredible game, but how is he a better prospect than either Eichel or Matthews? Both dominated leagues that are much tougher than the Q for the entire year in addition to the world juniors and world hockey championships.

 

[jibbz]

Yeah I hope this ends the ridiculous notion that Byfield should be drafted 1OA. The guy is being outperformed by at least three other draft-eligible prospects this season, would be super weird to see him go first

 

[Wintersun]

I get people are excited and Laf just had an incredible game, but how is he a better prospect than either Eichel or Matthews? Both dominated leagues that are much tougher than the Q for the entire year in addition to the WJs.

I'd say he is in that range of players, although I'd take the two centers above Lafreniere personally.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

"What is he actually elite at though?" Can always tell who has not watched him play by the comments on his game. Going to be eye opening for some people.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I’m calling it now. This kid is going to be good.
And for the record I called McDavid before he even played a single NHL game!

 

[BruinsBtn]

wait, there's actually people that think or would take Byfield at 1...?

One thing that's a good argument is that it's impossible to get a #1 center via free agency. Meanwhile on the wing you can get a Skinner, Panarin or Zucarrello (last year), or a Taylor Hall (this year). I think you have to take that into account as a GM.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

You can't see he's clearly better than Jack Eichel or Auston Matthews as a prospect but you can say he's on that level. There's definitely no discussion or debate for anyone else going 1st though.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

You can't see he's clearly better than Jack Eichel or Auston Matthews as a prospect but you can say he's on that level. There's definitely no discussion or debate for anyone else going 1st though.

Eichel dominated the NCAA and Matthews dominated the Swiss league against men. Lafreniere is playing against kids in the Q. I don't understand how you could even say he's on their level when he hasn't played against anyone other than kids his age yet.

It's a tougher position to compare but I don't know if I would put him with Dahlin yet.

 

[STHLM]

Is he a better prospect than Dahlin was?