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Enough with the Lafrenière bashing

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers sits on the bench prior to warm-ups before the game against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on February 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers sits on the bench prior to warm-ups before the game against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on February 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 16: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on October 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The New York Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 16: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on October 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The New York Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

He’s still just a kid

Lafrenière turned 20 on October 11.  His role on the team remains undefined and it is Gerard Gallant’s challenge to take the jigsaw puzzle and make all of the pieces fit.  It’s very possible he may find himself on the third line with Filip Chytil and Sammy Blais and to be honest, that may not be a bad thing, especially considering how Gallant divvies up ice time.  That line has shown some chemistry and could use some time playing together.

Despite his tender age, critics will point out his defensive deficiencies and his board work. Is he really that noticeable?  Is his play in his own zone notably worse than any 20-year-old who has played 63 NHL games?

Even his advanced stats are not bad.  His 5v5 Corsi For percentage of 46.97% last season was comparable to that of Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich .  Let’s not forget that Kaapo Kakko was a miserable 43.62% in his rookie season and improved to a team best 53.95% in his second season.

A lesson should be learned by looking at Edmonton’s Jesse Puljujarvi.  Drafted fourth overall in 2016 and rushed to the NHL at age 18, he was a disappointment for three years, scoring 17 goals in 139 games. Vilified as a draft bust, an acrimonious holdout drove him back to Finland in 2020-21 where he matured playing in Liiga before returning to the NHL last season.  The 22-year-old Puljujarvi scored 15 goals last season and this year he has nine points in six games and is playing on the top line with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.  He’s finally living up to his advance billing and it took him only six years to get there.

He has skills

One thing even his critics should agree on is that Lafrenière has skills.  He has made eye-opening moves, not as many as we’d like, but we have seen glimpses.  The game in Montreal was an example of a player elevating his game when it mattered.   Six of his 14 career goals have been game winning goals.

Did you see the shot he got off in mid-air while spinning from a body check against Calgary?  That was something special.

This is what Gallant had to say about  his player.  “I like Laffy a lot. I’ve liked him since day one of training camp.  He’s got skill, he’s got talent, but you’ve gotta grow and gotta keep getting better. Laffy is going to be a great player.”

So what was behind Gallant calling out his young player?

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