The jury is officially in: Alexis Lafreniere is a complete bust

[SaltyElkHunter]

When as the last time the first 2 picks were busts. Byfield isn’t useful either.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Scores his 4th of the season...

 

[Jauffre]

Scores his 4th of the season...

 

[Zats Muccarello]

He has sucked to this point relative to his draft status but he’s not awful player by any means. We’ll see where he goes from here, a little confidence and a coach who believes in you can go a long way.

 

[TriFF51]

He's certainly looked much better so far early on. Three straight games now with goals, and is playing way more confident with the puck.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

He's certainly looked much better so far early on. Three straight games now with goals, and is playing way more confident with the puck.

I was going to say he looks so much more confident and assertive with the puck

 

[Frosty415]

He probably read this thread

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Scoring on a Ken Holland team doesn't count.

 

[Megustaelhockey]

He probably read this thread

Laviolette probably threatened him with some drug store hair gel.

 

[HockeyWooot]

I think the term bust would be for someone who couldn't stick at the NHL level. "Disappointment" relative to expectations per draft position is more accurate. He's played 200+ games already and likely has many more seasons ahead of him.

He might not be that top line player expected but he could still become a 60pt player at some stage of his career, doesn't seem entirely out of the question.

If anything questions should be raised about the development of NYRs top picks: Lafreniere, Kakko, Andersson, Kravtsov.

Moreover the reality is not every 1OA pick will become a high impact player. As far as scouting and drafting has come in the last two decades, ultimately you're still making a projection on teenagers. Sometimes those who put up gaudy totals vs peers will mask their actual ability to translate to the pro game in the NHL.

 

[bobholly39]

He's on pace for 47 goals this season. Round that up, and you have a 50 goal-scorer.

50 goals in only his 4th season in the league.

Crosby took 5 years to reach 50 goals a season. McDavid, 8 years. Matthews, 6 years.

Lafreniere >>> Crosby/McDavid/Matthews is still possible.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The bust keeps scoring goals. If Chytil could finish any chances, he’d have a lot of assists.

He’s playing very good hockey. Made Broberg look like a plug.

@Filthy Dangles with the clutch reverse jinx thread when the team desperately needed it.

 

[tiburon12]

I think the term bust would be for someone who couldn't stick at the NHL level. "Disappointment" relative to expectations per draft position is more accurate. He's played 200+ games already and likely has many more seasons ahead of him.

He might not be that top line player expected but he could still become a 60pt player at some stage of his career, doesn't seem entirely out of the question.

If anything questions should be raised about the development of NYRs top picks: Lafreniere, Kakko, Andersson, Kravtsov.

Moreover the reality is not every 1OA pick will become a high impact player. As far as scouting and drafting has come in the last two decades, ultimately you're still making a projection on teenagers. Sometimes those who put up gaudy totals vs peers will mask their actual ability to translate to the pro game in the NHL.

This is true about a 1/3rd of the time.

In the past 25 years (1986-2021), only Daigle, Stefan, DiPietro, and Yak are capital B Busts.

But then you have a tier of guys like Hamrlik, Phillips, and Johnson who had/will have 1000+ game careers. Berard is kind of an outlier because of the injury.

Every other 1OA has been a superstar or had at least 1 "this is why they went #1" season.

As of now, I think LAF is trending to be the top end of that "bust" category, as he has half as many GP as Stefan with half as many points (but way more goals, which is notable). But i'd put money on him being more in the middle tier of guys who play forever and are consistent contributors like you said.

 

[yeaher]

He's on pace for 47 goals this season. Round that up, and you have a 50 goal-scorer.

50 goals in only his 4th season in the league.

Crosby took 5 years to reach 50 goals a season. McDavid, 8 years. Matthews, 6 years.

Lafreniere >>> Crosby/McDavid/Matthews is still possible.

haha yeah he'll get 50 haha

 

[Leonardo87]

I’d like to call a mistrial

 

[tlk]

Scores his 4th of the season...

Playing on his off-side too.

 

[BroadwayStorm]

I don't think most of the people at the beginning of this thread got the satire.

 

[BroadwayStorm]

First time he is getting top line minutes and pp time. Calm the f*** down. He wasn't on some shit team developing on the top line and playing every f***ing shift.

 

[The S5]

He has looked much more confident. Doesn't hurt playing on a line that has been dominant. Bread getting to the middle of the ice and Chytil looking like a force.

 

[Kimota]

I never thought he would be a franchise player but always thought someone like him regardless of what happens would be a NHL player for many years. Cause he has the tools to make it.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Large difference in his play/effort compared to the 2022-23 playoffs. Playing with Bread has opened some ice for sure. Laf deserves credit. He has produced well after a shaky beginning in training camp. Im happy for him.

 

[AvroArrow]

Lafreniere took this thread personally, let's see if it's just a hot streak or if he's actually putting it all together.

 

[Strangle]

I think the term bust would be for someone who couldn't stick at the NHL level. "Disappointment" relative to expectations per draft position is more accurate. He's played 200+ games already and likely has many more seasons ahead of him.

He might not be that top line player expected but he could still become a 60pt player at some stage of his career, doesn't seem entirely out of the question.

If anything questions should be raised about the development of NYRs top picks: Lafreniere, Kakko, Andersson, Kravtsov.

Moreover the reality is not every 1OA pick will become a high impact player. As far as scouting and drafting has come in the last two decades, ultimately you're still making a projection on teenagers. Sometimes those who put up gaudy totals vs peers will mask their actual ability to translate to the pro game in the NHL.

Sometimes #1 picks just aren’t all created equal

 

[ricky0034]

he's shooting 40% and still only on pace for 46 points this year

good for him for scoring a few goals but maybe hold off on the celebrations for a bit

 

[NickyFotiu]

he's shooting 40% and still only on pace for 46 points this year

good for him for scoring a few goals but maybe hold off on the celebrations for a bit

I have had my share of concerns about Laf but its more about how he is playing now than points. I think Bread is opening ice for that line helping both young guys show their skills more. I don't know how Laf will turn out but he has had some of his best games ever this season in terms of how he has looked. Still has a long way to go though. Needs to show he can give that consistent effort and keep things going against tighter checking. Good first step in right direction though. I especially like that he pulled up to open ice last night instead of skating right in to the defense.