even his PP time is a bit inflated because he would get the last 20 seconds so many times but in reality no zone controlled PP time because he would change as the puck was iced to the Rangers end and by the time they retrieve it and make a zone entry its over
Very true. So, you know there are maybe 4 forwards on a team who can get 60+ points on most teams (aside from top end). Everyone else, getting 50 is an accomplishment without PP points. Lafreniere hasn't been great but his opportunity has been limited on NY.
He is really only 21 years and 383 days old.
You probably do not read the Rangers board. I have said for a while just show me something on the ice. I do not care about stats. Just show me things to say okay this guy can play. For me its not the goals. It is that he is showing more positive things. Last season his points went up but I felt like his game actually took a step back. His 2023 playoffs was so bad. So far I think Laf is showing so much more on the ice. Part of that may be Bread creating more open ice. Will Laf continue on this path? I hope so but it is just a first step in my opinion. A positive first step for sure. Its not about points. Its about skating, shooting, carrying the puck and passing. Will he continue in his upward projection? I have no idea but I have a lot more hope for Laf than I did 4 weeks ago.
In all seriousness, he’s still a useful player. He probably carves out a decent career as a solid middle-sixer. He may have a season or two of top-six production in him at his peak. Imo, he’s a lot like Kotkaniemi in terms of potential. He just isn’t dynamic in any way and doesn’t have any elite attributes. That’s obviously disappointing for 1st overall, but I wouldn’t call him a bust either. He was expected to be a much more dynamic, elite talent though; there’s no denying that. I do believe that elite potential for him is out of the question at this point, and has been for a while. Like I said though, there’s still some value there, and his draft pedigree is now irrelevant.
If you said he has not shown dynamic elite attributes in his first 3 seasons I would agree 100%. Those first 3 seasons are now in the past. So far this year he has already shown me a few things that he did not show me in his first 3 seasons. That is why I have more hope today than I did even just 4 weeks ago. If you can find it go find his undressing of a Dman last night before passing to Chytil (hit the post I think). Go watch his goal where he pulled up and waited for the shot instead of just crashing the net. Those are 2 things I did not see from Laf in his first 3 years and he showed both in just 1 game last night.
2012 all top 4 picks.
| 1 | 1 | Edmonton | Nail Yakupov | R | Sarnia Sting [OHL] | 350 | 62 | 74 | 136 | 142 | 2017-18 |
| 1 | 2 | Columbus | Ryan Murray | D | Everett Silvertips [WHL] | 445 | 15 | 116 | 131 | 118 | 2022-23 |
| 1 | 3 | Montreal | Alex Galchenyuk | C | Sarnia Sting [OHL] | 654 | 146 | 208 | 354 | 257 | 2022-23 |
| 1 | 4 | NY Islanders | Griffin Reinhart | D | Edmonton Oil Kings [WHL] | 37 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 2016-17 |
We really did not see this kind of play previously.
He used a nice move on 2 nice goals in previous years but those were plays already in the offensive end. It was never where he skated from his own end with speed and determination imo. One of Lafs best skills is his ability to lift his backhand so it is ironic he did not score there but the skating and moves are what I was looking for and happy to see.
I'm not thumping my chest. Its just fun to have some hope after being so concerned about Laf 4 weeks ago. He is showing us some new stuff. Its a very nice first step in the right direction. Will he keep improving? Who knows but its nice to see the good things now.
LOL Lafs bubble gum chewing might force Torts to retire all by itself.
