Roster Building Thread: Part VII (2023-24)

[Amazing Kreiderman]

My Instagram feed keeps throwing me new clips of McDavid, Hughes, and Bedard training together with PEP. Meanwhile, I've seen one picture of Laf this summer and it's of him playing softball (badly). Yes, I know this isn't the full picture. Still.

Yeah, just because we don't see it, doesn't mean Laf isn't working out. But I'll say this: For a guy who is under this much pressure, and criticised by a fanbase for presumably not working on his game in the off-season, the solution is so f***ing simple.

Go into the gym snap a pic or 2, and share it on Instagram. Perception matters. It would silence so many of the critics even if it's just for a few weeks. But Lafrenière either isn't aware of it, or he doesn't care.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Yeah, just because we don't see it, doesn't mean Laf isn't working out. But I'll say this: For a guy who is under this much pressure, and criticised by a fanbase for presumably not working on his game in the off-season, the solution is so f***ing simple.

Go into the gym snap a pic or 2, and share it on Instagram. Perception matters. It would silence so many of the critics even if it's just for a few weeks. But Lafrenière either isn't aware of it, or he doesn't care.

If he's getting the work in, we shouldn't care either.

A company players are sponsored by putting up some videos doesn't mean shit honestly. Neither would a guy snapping a few pics at a gym. If his focus is on getting work in he shouldn't be taking pictures anyway.

 

[TGWL]

His scoring rate has dropped in each of his 4 seasons here while league scoring is going up.

He is straight up not doing things in year 4 that he was doing in year 1 (and its because he cannot do them anymore.)

You're living in fantasy land if you can't see that hes lost a step.

His scoring also shot up the roof after joining us. Losing a step and having a few career years is a bit different, no?
I'll agree that his skating has looked a little off. In my opinion, it's been off since he's had that groin injury. But the talent and skill level hasn't taken a step back. Some bad (or many) decisions here and there? Sure.

 

[duhmetreE]

My Instagram feed keeps throwing me new clips of McDavid, Hughes, and Bedard training together with PEP. Meanwhile, I've seen one picture of Laf this summer and it's of him playing softball (badly). Yes, I know this isn't the full picture. Still.

Amazing. Best talent in the league takes things seriously in the offseason and trains like it’s 2023.

 

[Leonardo87]

@Kupo You missed the "Laf is fat" debate. That one was a good one. lol.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

His scoring also shot up the roof after joining us. Losing a step and having a few career years is a bit different, no?
I'll agree that his skating has looked a little off. In my opinion, it's been off since he's had that groin injury. But the talent and skill level hasn't taken a step back. Some bad (or many) decisions here and there? Sure.

Which groin injury?

You mentioned this before, I've seen/remember nothing about a groin injury other than the one he had during his first camp here (which IIRC, was general beginning of training camp soreness which obviously didn't hinder him.)

And its not that he just lost a step, hes seen his scoring rate drop in EACH season since joining us while league scoring overall has shot up and it's coincided with him not moving as well as he used to (which IS a decline of skill.)

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If he's getting the work in, we shouldn't care either.

A company players are sponsored by putting up some videos doesn't mean shit honestly. Neither would a guy snapping a few pics at a gym. If his focus is on getting work in he shouldn't be taking pictures anyway.

You missed the point here.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

You missed the point here.

Not at all.

Your point: He should snap a pic to silence the public.

My Point: If hes getting the work done, we shouldn't care. I realize some do, but it's pretty dumb IMO.

 

[Crease]

Not at all.

Your point: He should snap a pic to silence the public.

My Point: If hes getting the work done, we shouldn't care. I realize some do, but it's pretty dumb IMO.

No one is saying documented training impacts on ice performance. And all I’m saying is that it would be nice to see a picture of him doing something other than being at a festival or playing softball. I’m annoyed at his career to date and am desperately looking for something to feel good about.

 

[TGWL]

Which groin injury?

You mentioned this before, I've seen/remember nothing about a groin injury other than the one he had during his first camp here (which IIRC, was general beginning of training camp soreness which obviously didn't hinder him.)

And its not that he just lost a step, hes seen his scoring rate drop in EACH season since joining us while league scoring overall has shot up and it's coincided with him not moving as well as he used to (which IS a decline of skill.)

Maybe it wasn't a groin injury, but it was listed as a lower body injury. He came off skating a little awkward. He missed a couple of games with a lower body injury. He took a leave during Russia stuff against him. Came back and then got tossed down by Wilson. They had him sit out with a "lower body injury", at least that's what they called it. It just seems like his skating hasn't really been back to normal since that February time-frame.

 

[LOFIN]

Not at all.

Your point: He should snap a pic to silence the public.

My Point: If hes getting the work done, we shouldn't care. I realize some do, but it's pretty dumb IMO.

People shouldn't a lot of things, but they do. And as an athlete, you sometimes need to accommodate that. Posting a pic of your summer time activities should not be an outlandish expectation.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Not at all.

Your point: He should snap a pic to silence the public.

My Point: If hes getting the work done, we shouldn't care. I realize some do, but it's pretty dumb IMO.

I think documenting his hard work publically would only benefit him. Even if the outcome next year wasn't as expected, at least the court of public opinion would be checking hard work off the list.

It would truly only benefit him.

If he's doing it, that is.

 

[SA16]

There is absolutely no need for Laf to take a picture of himself working out. You already know he is working out. Why do you need to see a picture of it?

 

[SA16]

How about updating this list with a Salary column?

How about doing the work yourself and posting it if you're so interested?

 

[Crease]

There is absolutely no need for Laf to take a picture of himself working out. You already know he is working out. Why do you need to see a picture of it?

Laf and I live in the same building. I have personally seen him leave the gym. None of the machines were sweaty, though he's a nice guy and probably wipes them down.

 

[bubba5]

Laf is pacing himself. Don’t worry he is on the right path.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Didn't it all get messed up with Laf when his agent Castonguay took the Vancouver job? Maybe she kept him away from the poutine

 

[IDvsEGO]

I think documenting his hard work publically would only benefit him. Even if the outcome next year wasn't as expected, at least the court of public opinion would be checking hard work off the list.

It would truly only benefit him.

If he's doing it, that is.

Because the court of public opinion signs his contract…

 

[zlev]

Yeah, just because we don't see it, doesn't mean Laf isn't working out. But I'll say this: For a guy who is under this much pressure, and criticised by a fanbase for presumably not working on his game in the off-season, the solution is so f***ing simple.

Go into the gym snap a pic or 2, and share it on Instagram. Perception matters. It would silence so many of the critics even if it's just for a few weeks. But Lafrenière either isn't aware of it, or he doesn't care.

yeah but there are no actual critics, just the people on this forum who make shit up in their own head. he definitely is not aware of it.

 

[Kocur Dill]

There is absolutely no need for Laf to take a picture of himself working out. You already know he is working out. Why do you need to see a picture of it?

Does he?
Do we?

We had a poster here 2 seasons ago get a post removed that claimed he knew a guy on the inside that said when it came to weight/stamina team training, Laf put in no more and no less than asked. He was habitually off the clock the second he was alloted to do so. No extra work.

I'm sorry, but that's not gonna cut it for a Premier guy and feeds into the perception that he doesn't "get it" and may never reach his full potential.

Some guys want it all.
Some guys are just happy to make the show.

Since we nor Managment can read minds, actions speak louder than words.

 

[zlev]

•Our Defense is too soft
•Our Defense lacks playmakers
•Our Forwards suck 5v5
•Gallant can’t coach but Lavi can
•Messier should have been HC!
•Lav won’t fix our Offense
•Fire Lav(?)
•Brendan Smith was fat
•Brendan Smith sucked
•Should have Re-Signed Brendan Smith
•Lafreniere didn’t train like Rocky
•Lafreniere needs to play on the Right
•Lafreniere needs PP time
•Lafreniere hasn’t earned PP time
•Lafreniere hasn’t signed bc the Rangers don’t care
•Panarin needs to be traded
•Panarin shaved his head and popped a gun off
•Goaltending doesn’t matter
•Replace Shesterkin with Joey Tits and we’ll win
•Kreider stopped jumping out of pools
•Goodrow’s overpaid by 12M
•The team has no speed
•We don’t have the right personnel
•Othmann will save us!
•Othmann can’t skate
•Without Zubov on D we can’t win
•Bolding a Post makes it indisputable!

Great off-season we’re having. I think the board has collectively taken like, 3 steps back.

yeah i agree it's much better to have unrealistic expectations and then be surprised/angry/disappointed when we get bounced in the first round again. all i said is that we dont have the right personnel on defense, which I can't understand anyone disagreeing with if you watched the Devils series. Fox cant play the whole game.

 

[haohmaru]

yeah i agree it's much better to have unrealistic expectations and then be surprised/angry/disappointed when we get bounced in the first round again. all i said is that we dont have the right personnel on defense, which I can't understand anyone disagreeing with if you watched the Devils series. Fox cant play the whole game.

The Devils series wasn’t about the lack of D, it was was about lack of want.

 

[UnSandvich]

Tbh I think the team’s biggest problems right now are the following:

1. Panarin no-showing in the playoffs (the biggest and most obvious, but we have to consider that it could in theory just be small sample size
2. Schneider killing any pair he’s on
3. Goodrow killing any line he’s on
4. Uncertainty at backup Goalie

 

[SA16]

Does he?
Do we?

We had a poster here 2 seasons ago get a post removed that claimed he knew a guy on the inside that said when it came to weight/stamina team training, Laf put in no more and no less than asked. He was habitually off the clock the second he was alloted to do so. No extra work.

I'm sorry, but that's not gonna cut it for a Premier guy and feeds into the perception that he doesn't "get it" and may never reach his full potential.

Some guys want it all.
Some guys are just happy to make the show.

Since we nor Managment can read minds, actions speak louder than words.

How would seeing a picture of him in the gym tell you if he was doing any extra work?

 

[Avery16]

No one is saying documented training impacts on ice performance. And all I’m saying is that it would be nice to see a picture of him doing something other than being at a festival or playing softball. I’m annoyed at his career to date and am desperately looking for something to feel good about.

Not his responsibility. He just needs to put up the points. As long as he does that, no one should care about anything else.

If HFBoards requires him to hire a PR/SM agent, he’s going to price that into his next contract.