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

[NickyFotiu]

You have a point. I said what I came to say, I think he's a bust not just because of an underwhelming future for a 1OA I project going forward, but more so for the icetime and opportunity he squandered the last few years taking up a spot on a good team that could've went to a better player. I hope he hits his adjusted ceiling going forward, that he is worth the amount of effort you took over the years to defend him.

He was a letdown last year. He has been the opposite this year. Very pleased with his growth this year.

 

[alko]

Trade him for Slafkovsky.

 

[PainForShane]

What? So you believe he's been taking up a big role on the Rangers the last few years?

You seem ignorant about Lafreniere's career so far. He's been mostly 3rd line and PP2 (that would get like 30 seconds per PP).

What player is producing better in that role than he did?

This is the main argument. A bottom six forward on any team scoring about 40 points with limited PP time (which is what Laf did last year) is extremely impressive. Kid had on average 15 mins of bottom six minutes what do you expect him to do.

Anyway, whatever. This is the first time he's consistently had an elite linemate and opportunity, he's doing well even while playing on his off-side. He's also 22 years old.

Any sane person (which is most in this thread, thankfully) would say it's far too early to definitively know what his future career will look like, and also completely stupid for someone to go out of his/her way to declare he's a bust

 

[PaulD]

Laff will get the last laugh.

Told ya.

 

[I am toxic]

Laff will get the last laugh.

Told ya.

First laugh.

Getzlaf gets the last one.

 

[haveandare]

That backhand is filthy.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I think he'll have a decent career on the third line.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I think he'll have a decent career on the third line.

His line is probably our second line although a easy case can be made for our best line. I was hard on his play last season but sometimes you have to give a guy his due. If he was a rookie we would be talking about him as a future all star after his first 17 games this season. I believe he deserved my criticism of last season and I believe he deserves my praise this season.

 

[beowulf]

View attachment 755182

View attachment 755183


View attachment 755184

View attachment 755186


No more excuses.

The brightest hope this guy has right now is to (slightly) out score Nail Yakupov over his first 4 seasons.

No more "he just needs more powerplay time".

No more "he just needs different linemates".

It's over. Lafreniere is definitively in the discussion for worst #1ovr pick in NHL history.

How a month can sure change things.

 

[Kennedys]

On HF, most prospects are bust until they're not

 

[Shesty31]

Dude is playing with a ton more confidence this year. Which is translating into points. I have been really pessimistic about him but this year actually has me slightly believing again.

 

[Windy River]

I guess this thread gets bumped everytime he collects a point. 16 games 11 pts +0

while Im not sure a 55 pt pace is not a bust for a 1OA after 4 years. It bears noting that the next 12 guys drafted after him that is healthy with the exception of Holtz is enjoying a better pace than his this year.

* Lundell has a slightly lower pace, but he's a defensive center.

I wonder how many of those 12 guys are consistently getting 1st / 2nd line minutes like Laf is.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I wonder how many of those 12 guys are consistently getting 1st / 2nd line minutes like Laf is.

Show me the PP numbers/PP points for each of those 12 guys.

 

[Nsjohnson]

A bust is someone who can't even stay in the NHL. He will always be in the NHL until he is like 32-34. He will be a 2-3rd line guy. He will most likely put up one season of like 28g-35a. But will mostly be a 15-20g, 20a guy which you need.

 

[Peltz]

A bust is someone who can't even stay in the NHL. He will always be in the NHL until he is like 32-34. He will be a 2-3rd line guy. He will most likely put up one season of like 28g-35a. But will mostly be a 15-20g, 20a guy which you need.

I see him as a 60-70 point player someday when he gets on the first PP unit. He’ll be on that unit with Adam Fox someday… maybe even soon if there are any injuries to the forwards.

No way does he not produce in that situation, with the current level of play he’s had. Fox opens up the game so much for everyone else and delivers perfect passes to scoring areas.

And Laf finishes. That’s one thing that’s been consistent in his career.

 

[Windy River]

I see him as a 60-70 point player someday when he gets on the first PP unit. He’ll be on that unit with Adam Fox someday… maybe even soon if there are any injuries to the forwards.

No way does he not produce in that situation, with the current level of play he’s had. Fox opens up the game so much for everyone else and delivers perfect passes to scoring areas.

And Laf finishes. That’s one thing that’s been consistent in his career.

70pt??
Let’s see if he can break out of the 30’s. It looks like it might happen this season. He seems capable of putting up solid 3rd liner points if he keeps getting played on 1st/2nd line.

 

[klingsor]

70pt??
Let’s see if he can break out of the 30’s. It looks like it might happen this season. He seems capable of putting up solid 3rd liner points if he keeps getting played on 1st/2nd line.

Reminds me of Lafreniere,
He’s got a nasty backhanded shot.
You’ve got a nasty backhanded compliment.

 

[aufheben]

 

[Jetcetera]

Took mack a few years to really get going. Not to the same level by any means but it's hard to write someone off at 22 years old. Look at josh morrissey. took him to his mid 20s to start living up to the potential

 

[DJB]

A bust is someone who can't even stay in the NHL. He will always be in the NHL until he is like 32-34. He will be a 2-3rd line guy. He will most likely put up one season of like 28g-35a. But will mostly be a 15-20g, 20a guy which you need.

Wrong

 

[aufheben]

Idk about 1OA but he is absolutely playing like a top-10 pick. Great passes, great finishing, always involved.

 

[lakeshirts37]

A bust is someone who can't even stay in the NHL. He will always be in the NHL until he is like 32-34. He will be a 2-3rd line guy. He will most likely put up one season of like 28g-35a. But will mostly be a 15-20g, 20a guy which you need.

Lol you’re going to be very wrong!

 

[Roksta]

Are we supposed to be impressed now that a highly touted 1st overall pick in his 4th season might score 60 pts?

 

[aufheben]

Are we supposed to be impressed now that a highly touted 1st overall pick in his 4th season might score 60 pts?

I didn’t realize being impressed by a player was a bad thing.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Are we supposed to be impressed now that a highly touted 1st overall pick in his 4th season might score 60 pts?

He's on pace for 51, I think 50 would be a real nice step in the right direction.