Comparing laf to Kk is fair
But i wouldn't say laf put in the work and that's why he took the leap..
I bet both worked hard last summer
2 biggest reasons laf took the leap and kk hasnt are:
Kk got hurt, laf didnt
Laf was stapled to a SUPERSTAR
Panarin has lifted up laf and Tro's game
And this line gets tons of icetime
If GG remained and Laf was stapled to the 3rd line like KK has been he wouldn't have taken the leap we've seen.
In a small sample size last season we saw the potential pan tro laf had but GG didnt like them defensively..
Thankfully, Lavi knew his system would make up for their defensive worts
Now if KK stayed healthy and played with pan tro, who knows if he would have been the one to take the leap
We'll never know
But to me it's obvious, playing with the new and improved panarin allowed laffy to be more creative and more confident
You literally saw laf get better and better as each month past
No player can improve with 11 mins of ice time playing with bottom 6 linemates
Sadly, kk just doesn't fit with KZ(few do however)
It's ashame Chytil got hurt..
He was KK's best fit at C
Kakko did get his fair share of time with Kreider and Zibby before injury.
It’s that that line never really clicked…
Kakko often looked like the best 1 at even strength tbh…
It’s a shame he’ll likely never get on 1PP here…..
That’s why I’d at least get him in the rotation on the PK. Just to get him out on the ice more if for nothing else.
Chytil going down def hurt him and the team as a whole…..
Chytil and Kreider also had some chemistry together in the past. Chytil injury really limited Lav s options. It’s too bad se didn’t have a young C prospect to at least throw in there to try, or maybe even move a guy from wing to C.
It’s obviously too late in the season for that now…
I think we’ll see a trade for a youngish center in the offseason. Someone akin to a Novak that will allow this to be truly a 3 line team capable of scoring.
Edstrom should be the 4C going fwd starting next year. He looks good at the nhl level already and AHL playoffs should be good for his development as well