The jury is officially in: Alexis Lafreniere is a complete bust
- Thread starter Filthy Dangles
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39 points in 81 games last season doesn't exactly scream top 6, so I don't know about that.
Neither does 1 point in 4 games this season and only getting 12:45 of ice time last night.
He's already on his 3rd NHL coach...how is this an excuse?
He buzzed and zipped randomly around the rink, creating confusion and vertigo for the other team!
If Laf was drafted 9th, we'd be talking about him doing alright, and having 2nd line upside and 3rd line floor. I still think he'll be a good player. Not his fault scouts overrated him, and didn't account for his poor skating enough.
He needs a fresh start on a new team where the pressure is less.
He needs a fresh start on a new team where the pressure is less.
Lafreniere, Kakko, Andersson, Kravtsov
Something putrid is in that Rangers organization. To pump out 4 top 10 picks and to have all them bust is quite remarkable. It’s not like they reached to get these guys too. I mean Kakko and Lafreniere were projected 1st and 2nd OA.
Something putrid is in that Rangers organization. To pump out 4 top 10 picks and to have all them bust is quite remarkable. It’s not like they reached to get these guys too. I mean Kakko and Lafreniere were projected 1st and 2nd OA.
Peasy
Registered User
You can over come poor skating in the NHL if you have other elite traits. Look at Jason Robertson. Unfortunately for Laf, it looks like he doesnt really have any elite traits.
Thread means nothing until The (Dr)ury is officially in: Alexis Lafreniere is a complete bust 
Rangers trying to emulate the Oilers yet again.
JeffreyLFC
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- Sep 29, 2017
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NGL, Buffalo are not the best team at developing players. They have had too many great draft pick to be that bad and missing the playoff for so long.
WarriorofTime
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- Jul 3, 2010
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Needs to learn how to play a proper middle six game. The 0 PK, insanely tilted offensive zone start time isn’t going to work long term if he isn’t productive enough to crack a top line.
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
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You wonder if he had been sent back to work on things and continue his growth instead of buried on a roaster trying to win now and being punished for mistakes and killing all confidence if he could be a player.
Rangers just suck at development, there is no way their scouting is that bad. The picks were all fine on draft day, but after every player busts.
Rangers just suck at development, there is no way their scouting is that bad. The picks were all fine on draft day, but after every player busts.
Fluke draft lottery with a poetic outcome.
Puckstop40
Registered User
Seb
All we are is Dustin Byfuglien
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If we believe the pattern, the next Alex to be drafted first overall should be one of the greatest player of all time.
Kairi Zaide
Unforgiven
His brightest hope is Slafkovsky potentially doing worse!
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I don't understand this. So many fans are scared of players leaving and putting up points, becoming stars, or just becoming a good players elsewhere. Who cares? If it's not happening in the organization you cheer for, then who cares if the player excels elsewhere?
It's not passionate hate for the player. It's not like fans wake up in the morning and first thing that comes to mind "You know, I really hate that Alexis Lafreniere." I mean, maybe some do, but those are probably the same fans that think it's cool to have their entire life revolve around their favorite sport teams. Yeah, I'm looking at you fans who need a hockey themed wedding..
If he can excel elsewhere and NYR are better for it or at least put it behind them that it's not happening here, then great for Alexis. Fans shouldn't want to see a young player fail.
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KrisLetAngry
MrJukeBoy
He's an NHL player just not first overall worthy. It is what it is. He still has time to fix his game.
Fatass
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- Apr 17, 2017
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A player only has the puck 5-15% of their time on ice. So Lafreniere does nothing 85-95% of his time on the ice?
Agreed. The blame isn’t entirely on the player. The Rangers have a track record of this. Feel like Laf would’ve been a better player had basically any other team drafted him.
Boonk
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- Oct 10, 2017
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NYR should’ve never gotten the 1st overall in that draft anyways, complete sham of a draft lottery
Sam de Mtl
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- Oct 11, 2021
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I saw one game from him this year, maybe it was his best and he was terrible for the rest, but he flashed star potential. He has a demeanour, skating stride and ability to look for the less obvious play that differentiates star players from average ones.
I think it may take him more time and he will need a consistent opportunity (maybe the change of scenery also), but I still think he will flourish into a good top 6 player down the line.
I think it may take him more time and he will need a consistent opportunity (maybe the change of scenery also), but I still think he will flourish into a good top 6 player down the line.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Wow, that’s a lot more damning than I would have expected.
JianYang
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- Sep 29, 2017
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The biggest wildcard for draft picks is how much room they have left to grow after being drafted.... You might as well call it a guessing game in certain respects.
Thats why you will often hear management say something along the lines of "we draft players based on what we think they will be in 5 years, and not necessarily the guy who is the best player today". It's hardly a science, though.
In the vast majority of cases, you need your first overall picks to not be close to finished products at the draft as well, or else they too will be a disappointment.
Thats why you will often hear management say something along the lines of "we draft players based on what we think they will be in 5 years, and not necessarily the guy who is the best player today". It's hardly a science, though.
In the vast majority of cases, you need your first overall picks to not be close to finished products at the draft as well, or else they too will be a disappointment.
The rest of the time he’s coasting to the wrong spot huffing and puffing.
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