Let’s talk about Lafreniere. What kind of player is he turning into?

peconcan

Registered User
Apr 24, 2020
1,501
1,280
IMO I'll take lafreniere 7 days a week 52 weeks a year over Nylander.
That’s a respectable opinion I’m just saying I think that’s what his floor is. I just don’t see him being a top 2 guy on the rangers, which Nylander is not on Toronto
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bradely

TimeZone

Make the pick
Sep 15, 2008
20,320
9,052
Lost
IMO I'll take lafreniere 7 days a week 52 weeks a year over Nylander.

The 98 point guy?

I love Laffy but he' absolutely nowhere near that level of player yet.

That’s a respectable opinion I’m just saying I think that’s what his floor is. I just don’t see him being a top 2 guy on the rangers, which Nylander is not on Toronto

I don't even think Marner over Nylander is remotely debatable at this point.

2 years ago, sure...today? No.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nashnaidoo

Grifter3511

Registered User
Nov 3, 2009
2,544
2,785
The NHL teams are just rearranging the deck chairs. Its the same GM or the same coaches over and over just switching teams. Get some new blood in these roles.
Seriously....why does Lafreniere keep getting a GM job? I mean, what has he ever done to prove he can put a competitive nhl team together?
 
  • Like
Reactions: nashnaidoo

Bradely

Registered User
Sep 17, 2021
3,759
3,719
The 98 point guy?

I love Laffy but he' absolutely nowhere near that level of player yet.
Lafrenière is 22. Nylander 28.
We all know what Nylander is. Lafreniere is just starting to show.
I stay by what I said and I'll take Lafrenière right now 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year in front of Nylander.
 

TimeZone

Make the pick
Sep 15, 2008
20,320
9,052
Lost
Lafrenière is 22. Nylander 28.
We all know what Nylander is. Lafreniere is just starting to show.
I stay by what I said and I'll take Lafrenière right now 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year in front of Nylander.

I'm not sure Lafreniere has the skating ability to match the kind of production Nylander currently does.

You can take the mystery box all you like, right now Lafreniere is a good player, but he has absolutely no business being compared to 40+ goal scoring players who flirt with 100 points.

Will he become a consistent 40+ goal, 90+ point player? I hope so, I've always cheered him, but I'm not completely sold yet either.
 

Bradely

Registered User
Sep 17, 2021
3,759
3,719
I'm not sure Lafreniere has the skating ability to match the kind of production Nylander currently does.

You can take the mystery box all you like, right now Lafreniere is a good player, but he has absolutely no business being compared to 40+ goal scoring players who flirt with 100 points.

Will he become a consistent 40+ goal, 90+ point player? I hope so, I've always cheered him, but I'm not completely sold yet either.
Same has been said on alot of player. Wayne was not the best skater.... Luc Robitaille.

You are telling me you would take Nylander in front of Barkov.... 40 goals against 23? You and I don't see hockey the same way.
 

TimeZone

Make the pick
Sep 15, 2008
20,320
9,052
Lost
Same has been said on alot of player. Wayne was not the best skater.... Luc Robitaille.

You are telling me you would take Nylander in front of Barkov.... 40 goals against 23? You and I don't see hockey the same way.

Uh, this isn't the 1980's my dude, what a weird analogy.

No, I would take Barkov because he's the best defensive cenrer in the league and also a multi time 90+ point player.

What the hell does Lafreniere have in common with Barkov again?
 

Bradely

Registered User
Sep 17, 2021
3,759
3,719
Uh, this isn't the 1980's my dude, what a weird analogy.

No, I would take Barkov because he's the best defensive cenrer in the league and also a multi time 90+ point player.

What the hell does Lafreniere have in common with Barkov again?
Stats wise - Lafreniere first pro season 148 points and 75 goals. increasing each year an this PO best Ranger player.
Nylander first 4 years: - 1.5 with the Marlies and 2.5 years with the Leafs. +- 135 pts and +- 48 goals in NHL.

I still stand by my point. Right now, I take Lafreniere 7 days a week and 52 week a year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Crypto Guy

TimeZone

Make the pick
Sep 15, 2008
20,320
9,052
Lost
Stats wise - Lafreniere first pro season 148 points and 75 goals. increasing each year an this PO best Ranger player.
Nylander first 4 years: - 1.5 with the Marlies and 2.5 years with the Leafs. +- 135 pts and +- 48 goals in NHL.

I still stand by my point. Right now, I take Lafreniere 7 days a week and 52 week a year.

Yes, Lafreniere was significantly more NHL ready than Nylander, hence why he was the first overall pick and William Nylander was drafted 8th overall.

You don't have a point, you're merely stating you expect Lafreniere to be a full blown superstar in the near future and then began rambly bringing up 96 point 6'4 Selke winning #1 C's on the best team in the Eastern Conference.

Nylander eclipsed 60+ points in his first two full seasons in the league, something Lafreniere still hasn't done 4 full seasons into his career. I don't exactly see how you pointing out at the same age that Lafreniere had 13 more points in 120 more games is a knock on William Nylander but I digress.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: WangMustGo

Bradely

Registered User
Sep 17, 2021
3,759
3,719
Yes, Lafreniere was significantly more NHL ready than Nylander, hence why he was the first overall pick and William Nylander was drafted 8th overall.

You don't have a point, you're merely stating you expect Lafreniere to be a full blown superstar in the near future and then began rambly bringing up 96 point 6'4 Selke winning #1 C's on the best team in the Eastern Conference.
You challenged me on an opinion I have regarding my appreciation of Lafrenière and that I would currently choose him before Nylander 7 days a week.. Regarding speed standards, several players historically have been rated as such and yet they are HOFs. Now you're telling me that Nylander wasn't ready when he started pro, while you claim that Lafrenière was, which is an intellectual trick. Finally, Lafrenière's impact is already present in PO, while Nylander had to take 2 years from the AHL and 4 years from the NHL to have some impact. Same age 22 and first pro years....Lafrenière has better stats....and right now, Lafreniere is the best Rangers top 6, including 120 pts Panarin.
 

TimeZone

Make the pick
Sep 15, 2008
20,320
9,052
Lost
You challenged me on an opinion I have regarding my appreciation of Lafrenière and that I would currently choose him before Nylander 7 days a week.. Regarding speed standards, several players historically have been rated as such and yet they are HOFs. Now you're telling me that Nylander wasn't ready when he started pro, while you claim that Lafrenière was, which is an intellectual trick. Finally, Lafrenière's impact is already present in PO, while Nylander had to take 2 years from the AHL and 4 years from the NHL to have some impact. Same age 22 and first pro years....Lafrenière has better stats....and right now, Lafreniere is the best Rangers top 6, including 120 pts Panarin.

There's a lot of unwrap here, lets start with the that you're using analogies from players who peaked 40+ years ago while the game is faster, more skilled than ever and plays completely and totally different today. It's a stretch, to say the least, particularly when you use the smartest player in league history as one of the examples.

Second lets address Draft position, NHL readiness. It's just absurd to even compare the two on Draft day, Lafreniere was considered a well above average 1st overall pick and a borderline generational talent depending on who you might ask. Nylander? Huge upside, but concerns about his size, hence why one went #8 and the other #1.

Do you know how many players selected 8th overall have played 9+ games(ELC limit) in their D+1 season since Nylanders Draft year? Zero. Do you know how many first overall picks played 9+? 9/10(Power had 8). Yes, Lafreniere was the superior prospect, he was the CHL player of the year and widely regarded as the top prospect in his Draft class and the world at the time, Nylander was not. You could make the same argument for 61 goal scorer David Pastrnak, Lafreniere was certainly more NHL ready and started the NHL sooner, but you anticipate he'll reach that level as well? It's a matathon, not a sprint.

As far as saying Lafreniere had superior stats at the same age, it's just objectively false. Lafreniere has 13 more points in more than 120 more games in the league, Nylander had a significantly higher PPG and had already cracked the 60 point barrier twice, Lafreniere has scored 40+ points once.

Now this isn't a knock on Lafreniere, I'm still high on him and enjoyed him as a prospect, your logic is merely extremely flawed and while I think he's in the midst of an amazing run I'd certainly like to see more over a larger scale before I start comparing him to 100 point players around the league.
 
Last edited:

SnowblindNYR

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Nov 16, 2011
54,899
34,228
Brooklyn, NY
He doesn't play on the powerplay

People have no concept of this at all. Like that factor doesn't even exist. Although to be fair Kakko had similar point totals last year without PP time so I'm not sure about the serviceable 2nd liner. But he's literally better than a serviceable 2nd liner already. People just can't let go of their preconceived notions.
 

JKG33

Leafs & Kings
Oct 31, 2009
7,586
11,493
Winnipeg
He's a really easy guy to root for (despite him being on the rangers) I'm happy he's finally figured it out and on the big stage too.

He doesn't really fit one archetype the way some players do. He can setup.plays but he's not soft like some playmakers. He's strong on the puck but not a true powerforward. He's really starting to be a jack of all trades master of none, that elevates his game when it matters most.

A lot of good comparisons in this thread from a poor man's Crosby or Hossa or Stone, a better JVR, someone like Perry... I'm going to add another one. Former Ranger, JT Miller. He doesn't have the same reckless f*** you energy that Miller does, but they're both incredibly skilled players that work hard and play with tenacity that you can use in all situations.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad