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

[The Crypto Guy]

And somehow a -10


Why do you think he’s not on PP1? He’s played 236.7 minutes of powerplay time in his nhl career. Why would I need to pick lotto numbers as opposed to real data?

Ah, so you don't actually watch him, your just going by +/- and PP2 minutes, which are normally the last 20 seconds of the PP where they start in the defensive end? Gotcha.

 

[AvroArrow]

Massive disappointment, but wouldn't call him a bust.

 

[Baksfamous112]

I got to see Lafreniere live two weeks ago and it completely changed my perspective on it. He’s good, really good. If NYR were to put him on the marker I would hope Hughes would put a competitive offer. With more opportunity he could easily be a PPG player

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

three are so many examples of players improving until they are much older and much further along in their careers than 22 and 260 games. Mackinnon, Zibanejad, Couturier, Schiefele, Stone, Reinhart to name a few

Those are the outliers, not the rule. You do understand that, right? Sure, it happens....but it isn't likely. And just using some of the players you listed:

Mackinnon- had 63 pts as a rookie and 2 other 50 point seasons by the time he turned 22.
Stone- had back to back 60 point seasons his first 2 years.

Lafreniere has never hit 40 points. Sure, he is on pace to this year, but the point remains. It is not IMPOSSIBLE he ever becomes a consistent ppg winger, but it is very unlikely.

 

[LionsHeart]

And somehow a -10


Why do you think he’s not on PP1? He’s played 236.7 minutes of powerplay time in his nhl career. Why would I need to pick lotto numbers as opposed to real data?

+\-?

 

[WarriorofTime]

Ah, so you don't actually watch him, your just going by +/- and PP2 minutes, which are normally the last 20 seconds of the PP where they start in the defensive end? Gotcha.

So if I "actually watched him", I would conclude he's awesome? Because you say so?

"normally the last 20 seconds"

Hate to say it, man, but this excuse isn't working. Somehow seemingly everyone else manages to produce better. Of all the players with at least 50 minutes of powerplay time since 2020-21, LaFreniere is 497/549 in Powerplay Points Per 60. The dude just sucks at the poweplay and fails to produce. Why would you give a bottom 10 percentile powerplay producer more PP time exactly?

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[Windy River]

He’s never been on PP1 so how do you know that? Do you have the lotto numbers for next week too?

He absolutely has played on PP1. Perhaps not regularly. But for all the talk of how 'held back' Laf is he sure spends alot of time next to elite players, putting up not-nearly-top-line scoring.

 

[Windy River]

He's on pace for 48 points and -18 playing on the top line of a winning team in his 4th year as a pro.

 

[irishlaxburger2]

I got to see Lafreniere live two weeks ago and it completely changed my perspective on it. He’s good, really good. If NYR were to put him on the marker I would hope Hughes would put a competitive offer. With more opportunity he could easily be a PPG player

Going into this season, I was legitimately concerned about his long term potential because he showed no individual skills that would lead you believe there’s something that could progress into a PPG type player.

This year, that has totally changed. He’s still a streaky player and I’d like to see him show it without someone like Panarin also on the ice. But the raw skillset is shining through finally. Will he ever actually become a PPG player? No idea. Do I think there’s unlocked potential for future growth? Yes, even more so than previously.

 

[irishlaxburger2]

He's on pace for 48 points and -18 playing on the top line of a winning team in his 4th year as a pro.

He’s 66th in the league in 5v5 points. That would suggest a top line player.

I don’t think people actually realize the PP vs 5v5 point ratio for top players in the league. His point pace is very good considering no PP1 team.

 

[DearDiary]

It's ok to admit you don't watch a player. Nobody is going to judge you.

You've been here almost 7 years, more than enough time to realize how dumb the "your argument means less because you obviously don't watch him" is. More than that, it's the #1 way to show everyone you lost an argument, but don't have the maturity to accept defeat.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I mean his position is what it is. His position was known when he was the unanimous 1 prospect in his draft. And he's a complimentary winger now because he plays with Panarin and he's not a PPG player yet. Most likely as a PPG player he won't be. Also, his shot sucks but he's not a passenger on his line despite not being the driver.

I never said he was a passenger, but I don't see how he becomes a play driver. He just doesn't have that skill set. Complimentary wingers who are poor defensively have to be absolutely lighting it up to be worth a 70-80 point Selke caliber center.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

He absolutely has played on PP1. Perhaps not regularly. But for all the talk of how 'held back' Laf is he sure spends alot of time next to elite players, putting up not-nearly-top-line scoring.

But he hasn't lol.

Fox, Mika, Panarin, Kreider and Tro have been the 1st unit the last 2 years exclusively.

 

[aRielzinhooo]

Hes been much better this season. I dont know whats hes roof but atleast its looking like hes going in to right direction. Ive only watched like 10 Rangers games, but in those he was more active what he used to be.

 

[I Hate Philadelphia]

 

[TGWL]

View attachment 807613

Yeah, you'd like to see him score there. Lift the puck in the net. But let's not act like the goalie didn't make a great save on him there. It's not like he missed the net.

 

[Rangers ftw]

His shot is below average, if he can improve it he’ll be a great player. He’s good in every other aspect of the game.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

View attachment 807613

First player in NHL history to do this.

 

[LeonDraisaitl]

I’m a fan of his play style and Nevermind that big boys usually take longer to develop you can already see some nice development. I don’t know what he will top out as but he has a lot of room to grow

 

[Windy River]

I will give him this though, he is damn consistent at notching up the -‘s regardless of how much his team wins by.

 

[Leonardo87]

I think we are done with this thread. It’s just become fan banter.