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Let's talk about Alexis Lafreniere.
The big thing is how versatile an offensive player he is.
He's an elite playmaker, not just because of his world-class vision, passing ability, hands, etc. but because he can create offense in any situation, from any area of the ice.
#NYR
The big thing is how versatile an offensive player he is.
He's an elite playmaker, not just because of his world-class vision, passing ability, hands, etc. but because he can create offense in any situation, from any area of the ice.
#NYR
I think the @eliteprospects team coined is "problem solving"
When option one is taken away how quickly do they conceive of and act on options 2, 3, 4 and so on?
Laf is so deadly, because he zeroes in on lapses in coverage before they even manifest and attacks it immediately.
When option one is taken away how quickly do they conceive of and act on options 2, 3, 4 and so on?
Laf is so deadly, because he zeroes in on lapses in coverage before they even manifest and attacks it immediately.
He doesn't have a favorite spot on the ice to create from, because they're all his favorite.
Lafreniere sees lanes and seems from everywhere and his skill, body control, processing speed is so superior that he can make the opposition pay from just about anywhere.
Lafreniere sees lanes and seems from everywhere and his skill, body control, processing speed is so superior that he can make the opposition pay from just about anywhere.
The bow on top is that Lafreniere is so unafraid of physical contact.
He never shies away from driving the net or initiating physical contact while he has to the puck to occupy dangerous space to make plays.
Thats the sort of trait that separates skill players from stars.
He never shies away from driving the net or initiating physical contact while he has to the puck to occupy dangerous space to make plays.
Thats the sort of trait that separates skill players from stars.
Lafreniere also displays versatility in how and where he scores goals.
Wrist shot?
One-timer?
Backhand?
Dangling?
You can't make a mistake with Laf, because wherever he is with the puck he has a slew of goalscoring abilities that he can dispatch at any time.
Wrist shot?
One-timer?
Backhand?
Dangling?
You can't make a mistake with Laf, because wherever he is with the puck he has a slew of goalscoring abilities that he can dispatch at any time.
The one "issue" you'll see people refer to is his skating.
He's not McDavid. Ok fine yes, but no one is.
In his three seasons in the Q his skating improved tenfold to the point now where he's at least above average for his size and build.
He's not McDavid. Ok fine yes, but no one is.
In his three seasons in the Q his skating improved tenfold to the point now where he's at least above average for his size and build.
He's young and going to improve to the point where he remains a lethal offensive threat in the NHL.
Players that good and that determined don't just stop improving, because people said they weren't good enough.
Will he skate like McDavid or MacKinnon? No. Doesn't need to.
Players that good and that determined don't just stop improving, because people said they weren't good enough.
Will he skate like McDavid or MacKinnon? No. Doesn't need to.
Alexis Lafreniere checks SO many, if not all, of the boxes on basically every shift he takes.
Individual skill
Processing
Problem solving
Vision
#NYR
Individual skill
Processing
Problem solving
Vision
#NYR
This is an example of where Alexis Lafreniere openly challenges two or three defenders to make contact with him to stop him from creating.
He finds the lapse in coverage, he attacks.
His vision, hands and passing do the rest.
#NYR
He finds the lapse in coverage, he attacks.
His vision, hands and passing do the rest.
#NYR
Lafreniere always occupies the most dangerous and advantageous areas.
If the center lane is open then you can bet he's going to be there and is going to make you pay.
* K'Andre is probably really happy Laf is a future teammate cause he was ALL over Miller in this tournament.
If the center lane is open then you can bet he's going to be there and is going to make you pay.
* K'Andre is probably really happy Laf is a future teammate cause he was ALL over Miller in this tournament.
Heres a bit of that scoring versatility.
Lafreniere's ability to finish on his backhand is extraordinary.
Power, accuracy, can lift it from in-tight and can beat a goaltender from distance.
He loves to go backhand too. Crosby-esque in that way.
#NYR
Lafreniere's ability to finish on his backhand is extraordinary.
Power, accuracy, can lift it from in-tight and can beat a goaltender from distance.
He loves to go backhand too. Crosby-esque in that way.
#NYR
Lafreniere's release is as deadly as almost anyone in this class (Holtz).
He scored 40 in the Q as a 16 year old. His game developed to where he was creating for others more than trying to finish, but he's going to be a goalscorer at the next levels, if he wants to be.
#NYR
He scored 40 in the Q as a 16 year old. His game developed to where he was creating for others more than trying to finish, but he's going to be a goalscorer at the next levels, if he wants to be.
#NYR
