Did you watch his rookie year? He was “not good.” Scored the same amount of points in his rookie season as Laf did in his, Hughes in 5 games more getting 4 mins more a game. Laf out scored him EV 21 to 12. Horrendous D, physically outmatched. The Devils stuck with him through the growing pains and they were rewarded for it. Hughes looks awesome now, but it’s totally revisionist to say he was good from the get go. Does this mean Laf would look great right now if we had given him the same treatment? No. But he would certainly be farther along in his development if we had. NYR and NJD were in completely different situations, NJ wasnt winning anything anyway, and there weren’t stars blocking Hughes from first line and pp1 time. So they just stuck with him even when he looked bad. Can’t fault NYR much for continuing to try to win, but Laf’s development rate is a cost of that.
Which center would they have displaced for him? Zib or Strome? Strome seems the choice but he’s Breads boy… But I’d still say there was a better chance he got top 6 because he’s a center.
I watched. He was weak, not bad. They are different. Just like Laf is slow, not bad. Those things can be remedied, but the player needs to take the initiative. Hughes did. Hopefully, Laf does as well.
sure they’re different. And I’ve never thought either was a bust. My main point is that Hughes really didn’t earn all that ice time and responsibility. The Devs gave it to him and stuck with him through the rough patches. And for them it was the right choice. I have no doubt Laf would be father along with that treatment, I’m not saying a 50 goal pace, just farther along his arc and without the confidence problem.
I think offseason preparation is a big part of the equation. Folks have short memory issues in these parts but there were enough stretches last year where Lafreniere looked very good himself as well as in comparison to older Kakko. Scoring 19 ES goals last season wasn't a small feat and did get notice around the league. Unfortunately, IMO long season, successful finish and public accolades contributed to Lafreniere taking it easy in the offseason (Vally made somewhat similar implications). It should be a le$$on learned resulting in a cheap bridge deal - surely not what Lafreniere wanted / expected. We've seen a significant improvement in Kakko's game as he clearly worked hard in the offseason. I expect to see a similar if not more significant improvement in Lafreniere next year. I have a lot more faith in his commitment than Kravtsov's for comparison but maybe I will be surprised with the Russian too. Unfortunately, this development won't help the team much the rest of this season and playoffs.
We need better forwards to complete THE TEMPLATE. Otherwise everyone is gonna be poopy pants that our kids are being buried for marginal players.
Larkin might not be looking for money, but a place where he’s not gonna be rebuilding for another 3 years of an 8 year deal.
So did ottawa.
I remember hearing on 32T during the summer, Yzerman got sticker shock after the deals to Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Tage Thompson and JT MIller.
