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

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Does anyone get an Artemi Panarin vibe from him? I think they play similar offensive games.

There are some similarities, but they shoot different hands, Lafrenière is bigger, Panarin is a faster skater, and I think their goal scoring is different. Panarin is more of a shooter, Lafrenière scores more near the net.

I think Raymond is very similar to Panarin. That’s my favorite 2020 draft prospect to NHL player comparison.

 

[cowgirlcath]

Incredibly happy I get to watch him play again.

 

[covfefe]

I think it’s fair to say that Lafreniere is amazing and whoever lands him will be ecstatic. Incredible combination of skill, power, and work ethic. Can’t wait to watch him in the NHL

 

[KevinRedkey]

Kane?

Kane went 1st overall because Chicago won the lottery and had just drafted Toews the year before.
Turris was ranked #1 on more lists than Kane at the time. It was also considered a weak draft year.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

Does anyone get an Artemi Panarin vibe from him? I think they play similar offensive games.

When I watch Lafreniere play, the first two guys I think of are Patrick Kane and Panarin.

 

[Los merengues]

Kane went 1st overall because Chicago won the lottery and had just drafted Toews the year before.
Turris was ranked #1 on more lists than Kane at the time. It was also considered a weak draft year.

Kane went #1 cause he was BPA

 

[McNurse]

Man this kid is the real deal, sticks out every shift like a sore thumb. In a good way

 

[WhatTheDuck]

When I watch Lafreniere play, the first two guys I think of are Patrick Kane and Panarin.

I know he's a winger and not a center, but the way he operates in the offensive zone- at times I'm reminded of Forsberg.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

best prospect since McDavid

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

There are some similarities, but they shoot different hands, Lafrenière is bigger, Panarin is a faster skater, and I think their goal scoring is different. Panarin is more of a shooter, Lafrenière scores more near the net.

I think Raymond is very similar to Panarin. That’s my favorite 2020 draft prospect to NHL player comparison.

I think he's almost a weird combination of Huberdeau and Marchand. He's got that high end skill and playmaking of a guy like Huberdeau, but has more of the mentality of a guy like Marchand (in terms of the competitive-nature, not so much the agitator side). I think the only thing that's holding him back from being closer to that McDavid-tier of prospect is that he has good skating, but it's not top tier.

 

[Oan]

best prospect since McDavid

Eichel and Matthews are better.

 

[KK91]

Really impressed with his physical play!!

 

[ponder]

Eichel and Matthews are better.

Eichel isn’t really “since McDavid”, as they were in the same draft.

Agreed with Matthews ahead of Laf, though only by a bit. I can see arguments for Dahlin/Laine over Laf, but personally prefer Laf, and I don’t think anyone else is even arguable.

 

[Gargyn]

Eichel and Matthews are better.

I respectfully disagree but just my opinion. Lafreniere is the best I’ve seen since McDavid as well. No disrespect to Matthews or Eichel. All great players.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Eichel and Matthews are better.

it's not a huge but I think there is a clear gap between Alexis and Matthews/Eichel.

probably the best vision and hockey sense of any prospect I've seen since I started watching hockey

 

[golgoXIII]

Vincent Lecavalier 2.0 on the Wing... and man he can hit !!!

 

[Corso]

it's not a huge but I think there is a clear gap between Alexis and Matthews/Eichel.

probably the best vision and hockey sense of any prospect I've seen since I started watching hockey

Eichel's vision is sorely underrated in these boards but I do agree that Laf is a step ahead of Mathews in that department. Mathews, however, is a much better goal scorer. I see all three of them as ppg players throughout most of their careers with a couple 100+ seasons sprinkled in.

 

[Anardil]

Yeah I'm a big Byfield fan and I hope you are wrong. Needs to play with more aggression and anger in my opinion. He's cut out to play a big man's game and needs to be less passive.

That is the main reason why I get the Ben Pouliot vibe. The question is, does he have it in him to play the 'big man's game'?

 

[canuck2010]

That is the main reason why I get the Ben Pouliot vibe. The question is, does he have it in him to play the 'big man's game'?

I think it's latent. He seems like a really nice well brought up and introspective kid.

He needs guys to get in his grill to the point he says enough of this shit. You're not going to take liberties with me and you are not going to like playing against me ever.

 

[Henkka]

Vincent Lecavalier 2.0 on the Wing... and man he can hit !!!

He seems offensive zone Datsyuk for me.

Don't know about the defensive game, but that all-playmaking is just so Pavelish than ever seen anybody else than Pavel.

With 1.5x game speed.

Superior tournament 1st star and hopefully wins the scoring title with only 4 games.

 

[KevinRedkey]

Kane went #1 cause he was BPA

If you say so. I'll stick with the history, memory, and rankings. You can stick with hindsight if you wish.

 

[Garyboy]

If you say so. I'll stick with the history, memory, and rankings. You can stick with hindsight if you wish.

Would love to see proof of credible sources that had Turris ahead of Kane during their draft season.

 

[Zaddy]

Lafreniere in this tournament has proven to me that he's the clear number #1 in this draft. Being a year older than some of his rivals obviously helps but man is he good. I hadn't seen him much before so I was a bit wary as always with the NA hype but he is legit. Going to be a very, very good NHLer.

 

[snipes]

Vincent Lecavalier 2.0 on the Wing... and man he can hit !!!

I’ve been saying for awhile he has that Gordie Howe mean streak in the corners.

He hits like an absolute truck. He’s the best prospect in my view since McDavid as well, and I’m definitely not alone on this.

 

[newfy]

Eichel and Matthews are better.

I definitely think theyre both in the same tier. I'm thinking AL is at the top of that tier though like I've said because of his motor. Eichel and Matthews can be invisible at times but Lafreniere can change a game in different ways. That game against the States showed that when he went out and threw 2 big hits and got the momentum rolling for Canada. I think his vision is comparable to Eichel but his skating is worse, I think his goal scoring is worse than Matthews but his vision is much better. His compete level is better than both.

I dont think hes way ahead of those guys but I think he has a more complete game overall and a bit more drive that will give him an edge. He seems like a guy that 5 years from now would be the best player in the playoffs of the 3