Alexis Lafrenière is finally coming into his own after a difficult three first years - we'll talk about all that and more on today's NHL hockey video as we recap the New York Rangers vs the Columbus Blue Jackets
Alexis Lafrenière is finally coming into his own after a difficult three first years - we'll talk about all that and more on today's NHL hockey video as we recap the New York Rangers vs the Columbus Blue Jackets
I think we all knew a breakout season for Laf was coming at some point. At least it’s looking that way. I don’t think he’ll ever become the superstar he was “meant” to be. But I still think there’s a very strong chance he ends up being just a solid top 6 winger for a very long time.
No we didn’t. He’s looked awful his first 2 seasons
@@KevinHasSpokenWell maybe not all of us then😂😂
Because he had now a good game in a early season?
Definitely didnt see him doing well this season thought he was going to get traded
@@patrickschannelpokemonswee3803he is on pace for a 44 goal season
Gustafsson gave my son and I a puck during warm ups when they came to MN. That, added with how good he's been to start the season and he's quickly becoming a new favorite
Criminally underrated player his entire career
Happy to see Laffy Taffy performing well. Stallions fans have been waiting for this!
Sam Lafferty ain’t in this video
@@harleymh6856 good thing I’m not referring to Sam Lafferty
Thats a shootout goal that a very confident player scores. I always thought Laffy had too much hype on him, he was never going to be an elite star player. It's nice to see him improving and showing that he's tuned out all the bust talk
it took a while, but laffy is finally growing. i remember when the rangers drafted this guy and he was good at the time. seeing his highlights today just demonstrates his confidence, especially with that shootout beauty he had. good to see a first overall pick blossoming!
That goal in the shootout was NASTYYY 🥵🥵
Panarin makes everyone around him better. Every goal scorer needs a setup guy.
I disagree, check out both of Bedard's goals vs florida last night for example . Sure, a lot of goal scorers are set up on power plays like ovechkin's one timer but pure goal scorers make goals happen.all ;by themselves sometimes - check out mackinnon hilights to see what i mean
Where was Panarin on Laffy's shootout game winning goal? Right.
The point is, his line is the only consistent line. The first line does little to nothing 5 on 5.
Panarin is a 4th liner on any other team
Right@@Brandon34300, way to say you're an idiot without actually saying you're an idiot. Dude is only 2nd in the NHL in points, but thanks for playing. Dope.
Yo eck just want to say keep it up I watch your hockey videos a lot now, and I’ve been watching your Star Wars channel for years now and it’s really good, keep up the good work👍
Happy to see Laf coming into his own finally, we all know a breakout season would probably come, don't think he'll reach the heights that people thought he would but decent enough. Also loving the fact that they're having success without Shesterkin in net. Even I was like "We got rid of Halak and brought in Quick? Why? Igor better play well." and yet the team are winning without him in net, Quick has been great so far this year. Louis in his few games in net, has looked solid, the team are playing great in front of them. Great start by the Rangers this year. Ya love to see it.
We're without Fox too. The team has been resilient!
Idk bro, just based off the eye test, I have no doubts that he will put up multiple 100 point seasons when he's getting the bulk of ice time for 5v5 and PP. This team is stacked out of control Laf still isn't on PP1 because of how good they are. He's consistently been one of the best 5v5 players IN THE LEAGUE the past two years, and that's been with like 14 minutes average TOI. He's an absolutely elite stud
I;ve watched your videos for awhile always loved your content. Just found out your a rangers fan. Im a devils fan here and you guys look scary good. anyway thanks for the great content LFGD! lol
Let's Go Rangers!!! also love the channel Eck, keep up the great work!
He's only 22 i think it's still entirely possible that he could still be the player he was expected to be when he was drafted, unless you expected him set the league on fire in his first season in which case you're being unfair. More experience, more comfort, more age, and more confidence could still make him one of the best in the league.
I think he’ll end up like an RNH, a number one pick that’s extremely solid and reliable, but never living up to that top billing Glad to see him performing though even if I hate the rags with passion
I think RNH could have found better chemistry somewhere else, early on. But after so many years, what can you do? Laf 5 minutes away from being traded glad to see him showing something.
Tbf RNH had over 100pts last year playing third line minutes. Now is over 10 years too long for a guy to fully developp? Absolutely, but I think never living up to that top billing gets debunked the moment a guy post a season like that.
LOVE THE CONTENT MAN
Love u eck! You give me all the hockey info across the hockey world! Also love the mooseheads stuff!
gay
damn hop off his tip
Appreciate you covering the Jackets
back in his junior years I had the chance to see this guy play live a handful of times in rimouski and I always knew, despite his struggle, that at one point he'd break through. I just think he could've spent a year either in hartford or back in rimouski back in 2021 to develop again, cus the dude got stuck basically with limited ice time in his first years when he could've developped in the minors or back in juniors in my opinion. Now he's showing more and more signs that he can do it and I hope he does in NYR. Dude's talent is real and he deserved all the praise he had so far in his career
Excellent analysis and appreciate your self-awareness (Ranger fan pov, yada yada). I'm hitting the bell.
Congrats on Laf. Glad he turned it around. Streamed him the last two years to some effect. Knew he had more in the tank. Just needed to be motivated.
"the refereeing was ass" is an underrated comment =D
Ek you should do a system breakdown of a NHL team for one of your vids. Also breakdown trade talks and all the behind the scenes stuff
Is there something wrong with the situation room in Toronto? That was so obviously a goal, I can't imaging the logic they implied to pull that one back?! Just like the "kicked" goal from Cullye a couple games ago... Calling shenanigans
I swear they just flip a coin to create controversy sometimes... The situation room has always been ridiculous and inconsistent.
@@shakenbacon3655If they flip a coin, it's a weighted one whenever the Rangers come up
it’s hunting season for the rangers, hunting season i tell ya. both calls were horrendous, and disgusting. great video man. stay safe.
About the goals being called back by Toronto, I’ve recently heard a theory that Senior VP of Hockey operations Kris King may still have a vendetta against the Rangers after he was traded for Eddie Olczyk the year before they won the cup in 94. Hopefully not accurate, but very interesting none the less.
Rangers fan here. Yea the refs were absolutely atrocious last night. I fuming. And I’m glad to see you covering it. Subbed. 👍
Agree with you on Johnny Hockey. Didn't realize you were a Ranger fan!
Best analysis I saw was at the start of last year that pointed to Hughes and how Covid likely messed both of their trajectories up by delaying them a year. I forget who wrote the article, but they predicted another underwhelming season for Laf with this current season being his breakout. So far, that was a good call. And I hate the rangers, so I wish the article was wrong lol, but it seems like a pretty spot on analysis.
He has been solid since game 1, he really looked like he wanted to shut everyone up. And he sure did, i am so happy this guy is on our team
As a CBJ fan would love to hear u talk about Kent Johnson being demoted, signing with Dubois and Seth jones agent, Johnny hockeys collapse, and horrible lines and coaching, and Fantillis frustration. Its been a dumpster fire when this was supposed to be our turn around year.
Nice to see him finally find where he should be. Although he's not better than others in his draft but nice to see him have a good start.
Quick was for sure the star of this game man. Saved the game in the 3rd on an "easy" one timer and for the Rangers to give up the puck a bunch he did great
Domingue was the star of the game before too.
Domingue was the star of the game before as well.
that backhand shootout goal was freaking nasty
11 points in 14 games and basically zero pp time. breakout szn baby
And that's why all the talks about Him being a bust... were never taking in his abnormal circumstances!! A 1st overall pick normally has a plethora of Ice Time to figure things out... and can literally make an unlimited amount of mistakes... and Laf never had that... not even close!! Some of the blame is of course on Him.. but not all!! Now I'm not comparing Him to the legendary Guy Lafleur... but "Le Démon Blond" was also a 1st pick on a good team... and had 3 average seasons to begin b4 he blew up!!
Looking at the replay of Quick making that winning shootout save I like to think he told the referee where to put the puck. LOL. Laffy has been a sensation this season.
Last night was all about Laffy. Great game for him. I hope he manages to keep it up.
I think he has the I’ll prove everyone wrong mentality pushing him forward
Bro but the CBJ actually looked GOOD in that game, ngl.
I think there was so much pressure put on this guy I hope he can keep it up
I was really hoping to see Laf have a breakout season. We Rangers fans got lucky with a first overall pick, that I’ll admit we should not have gotten. I don’t want that pick to go to waste when Tim Stutzle was picked two picks later. I’m super happy with Lafrenere’s performance this season and I think he is going to be a great top six forward. I have always believed he had lots of potential, and while he many not reach superstar status, I believe he will be a great player. I’ve seen people compare him to Yakupov, yet he isn’t in the league. Lafrenere has put up points semi-consistently every season until this season where he has been incredible.
Yeah, anyone calling Laf a bust was being intellectually dishonest. He's had steady, if slow, progression where *actual* busts like Yakupov or Patrik Stefan tend to just never get better (and usually get worse).
Been waiting on you to do a Rangers video
The hit on lindgren was clean as day
He finally living up to his potential also the devils game is a huge Test this week
We are all rooting for Laffy. Great to see.
I've been saying that Laf needed more ice-time for a long time. Everyone thaught I was crazy. I just knew. Guy has pure talent
goal crossed after the whistle lmao
im so happy for laf
This is a good time for a week long break, it gives time for players to come back especially IGOR
Laffy and J Quicky double-handedly saved my 5-leg parlay
Laffy been very good this year I hope to see Kakko step it up
I was really hoping the wings would trade for him in the off-season. Once he finds his confidence, he'll be special.
One of the players that scouts used to compare Laffy, was Huberdeau. I think Laffy has a couple of 80 point seasons in him, and if he can get more, as a Rangers fan, that would be great, but it’s a big IF. I’m hoping he will become a more solid playoff performer, than a regular season performer. Rangers already have enough guys who produce during the season, and come playoff time, they are nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, Kakko lighting it up with 2 points in 15 games, 14min toi 😬
Keep it going Laffy! Hate to see young players ridiculed for their performance against sky high expectations. It obviously comes with the territory of being picked 1OA, but this is yet another remindee that prospects develop at different rates.
Kakko unfortunately has not seen the same progression this year like what was observed last year. Not getting as much ice time either.
Please cover the Dallas Stars historic game over the Wild.. Thanks!
Laffy needed some Bread in his life!! He's playing with some confidence. That goes a long way.
i truly think he is going to be another krieder. He is so good off the stat sheet people dont realize. he is gritty, and makes alot of great small plays.
He saved tf out of my parlay
Kinda cool that both Laf and Byfield are doing so well.
i think laf and byfield are perfect examples on why people should have more patience for players who are close to 1st overall and don't perform as expected on their first season in the nhl
Yeah I don't know why people seem to think that EVERY first or second overall pick is going to come in and dominate like McDavid, Matthews or Bedard
Especially since Byfield was scouted going into the draft as someone needing long-term development.
He is playing for a good team and has to compete each night. A lot of other high prospects stay in college/juniors longer and when they do come to the NHL might play on a bad team so they can do whatever they want. Guys like Caulfield and Zegras can mess up and if the team loses nobody cares. Lafreniere likely wont live up to the first overall pick but there is no reason he can't be a solid top 6 guy or maybe an all-star for some of his career. He doesn't have the highest ceiling but has shown the last three years he is a solid NHL player.
Almost like when you give someone an chance theyll play well.
I'm so excited by his start. Laffy has gotten off to an awesome start and i am happy for the kid because i always felt he was roughly treated by the fans and media. NYR has historically been a terrible team to be drafted by, Dave Quinn, and no one can tell me differently, did kids like LAffy, Kakko and Chytil no favors and did nothing to help those three grow into NHLers. I think someone like Laffy has a lot you'd want in a player does doesn't show up on the scoresheet that will be way more noticeable now that he is showing up in the box scores. To that end, Kakko is looking much improved as well and I expect him to show more of what he can do.
As a flames fan missing tkachuk but not gaudreau really
I miss gaudreau so much and tkachuk but
@@jakosolosJohnny, Chucky, and Lindy were the best first like in the entire league. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for +/-.
@@JesusFriedChrist yeah I just hate watching us play now
A few things from CBJ fan, I didn't watch the game but in previous years, CBJ always lost reviewed goals or coach's challenges (that infamous one against the Hurricanes which they actually got wrong). Another thing is all of the dirty hits and injuries to CBJ's star players. I'm thankful it hasn't happened to Fantilli yet but I missed my one chance to see Laine in person in Minnesota. (The game still was ruined with a rude fan behind me). Take this game with a grain of salt- there are lots of bad calls and dirty hits for any team. I really do feel your pain in this game since I have watched games that CBJ lost (or even still win) with dirty hits or bad goals or bad calls.
Nothing wrong with being a solid top six in the NHL. Glad to see Laff getting it done.
Definitely a great game. I never viewed Lafreniere as a bust. He wasn't elite, but he wasn't even that bad, and he improved as the years go by and he gets better and better. Slowly, but that is progress. I kept saying "Lafreniere is not a bust! He just needs time to develop! You can't expect every #1 pick to be Connor McDavid" He has developed and now, he is having a breakout season (he is projected to finish the season with 40+ goals and 60+ points). I knew it would come, and it is here! To all the Lafreniere haters who have been calling him a bust since Day 1, WHO'S LAFING NOW??!! FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, YOU WILL NOT CALL ALEXEI LAFRENIERE A BUST EVER AGAIN!!! OUR #1 PICK IS HERE!!!
Unpopular opinion and off topic but those shiny Kings helmets are kinda awesome lol.
Kind of funny that you didn't notice Gaudreau doing anything all night, just a few takeaways and 3 passes to Roslovic to the net but he didn't score from any of those xD. I'm also a Rangers fan but also a fan of some players
CBJ legend Jonathan Quick did us dirty last night.
It’s funny with all the bust talk surrounding Slafkovsky this year, he’ll probably be the same as Laf
It's almost like some players, regardless of draft positioning, need a few seasons to get going, and shouldn't be rushed to the top right away.
That still of the puck across the line WAS AFTER the whistle. Clearly, the goalie had it wedged against the post AS THE WHISTLE SOUNDED. I'm a diehard Ranger fan and I believe it was a no-goal. Cheers!
No it wasnt itnwas before the whistle, by a long time too
If you want bad reffing look at the caps, we have also had 6 goals called back against us and we are also 0-6 on call backs. Never thought I would die along side a rangers fan but hey it’s 2023 anything can happen
I think it’s kinda annoying that the broadcast/NHL never showed the replay from inside the net on that “disallowed” goal.
People forget that Laf just turned 22, he”ll score 30 goals this season. Yes that was definitely a goal, they blew that call. The Lindgren hit should of been a 5 minute major and game misconduct.
Some credit must be given to J. Quick.. Insame saves... The focus looks real... L.G.R.!!!!!
He’s always been a solid NHL player, it’s not his fault people talked like he’d be the next Wayne Gretzky, that much hype almost always never gets lived up to
Buddy seriously the kuraly hit was clean. I know all you young kids have no idea about it but in hockey you are allowed to finish your check. Just because the game is turning into figure skating to protect “skill players” it’s still a contact sport.
I think he got... the Last Laf. I'll show myself out.
May there be many more Lafs!
Absolutely brutal no goal call.
Lol at the called back goal, the ref waited about 5 seconds before blowing the whistle for a frozen puck. Ridiculous. Other than that I agree with you about this game and Laff in particular. I like both teams so I really didn't have a horse in this race. Fantilli also impressed. Gaudreau is playing like stepped-in dog sh*t that has dried up , turned grey and is blowing away in the summer heat. Something mental is up with that kid since he got married. He seems depressed constantly. He reminds me of Travis Hafner once he got married, or Chris Davis once he started taking meds for his ADHD. Something is up.
100% clean hit dude!
you meaning setting a player up for success works out better than failure? honestly im shocked Sidenote: Quick did well tonight, im so happy with him this season
Rempe gets 5 games suspension this guy gets 5 mins
My local No Frills can 'freeze' your shopping car based on proximity... Is there no way to figure this out... I would wear loose socks and stuff just to increase my invisible area lol
Lafreniere hasn't had it half as bad as Rangers fans think. This guy would've had it alot tougher playing in Toronto or Montreal.
Laffy finally breaking out gallant punches the air
laf is playing the best hockey of his career while mcdavid is playing injured lmfao.. cmon bruh. nice to see laf putting it together a bit though.
Amazing win by rangers vs Bluejackets in ot. This definitely solidifies Laff is not a bust.
Laf is a good player - if he had been drafted by a worse team he'd have had more ice and therefore more points in his earliest career years. The Rangers situation limited his opportunity massively.
Now they only need Kakko to reach the higher-than-Hughes ceiling he has. As for the "dirty" hit, it was one of the cleanest allegedly badly hits I've seen this season. Trouba knee-on-knee was way worse.
They started calling Leo Carlson a bust too before he even played his first game, Leo shut them up pretty quick
People.....he has what, 7 goals? Its a little premature to call this a breakout season. That being said, im happy to see him doing well at the moment...lets just hope it sticks and maybe rubs off a little on kakko. LETS GO RANGERS!!!
Dude is shooting 29%, check back on him in 2 months.
I think a good comparison for him is Steven Stamkos. Let’s face it, if you get a hockey #1 draft pick, by no means are they a sure thing for the hall of fame. He’s a straight to the NHL player with a ton of upside. It’s like seeing a unicorn when they come straight out and are a generational player. He’ll be fine and effective. Let’s go RANGERS!
Brother is so mad what a rangers fan 😭😭
Two LONG reviews that refs got wrong! Especially gaulling was Kuraly elbow to Lindgren’s head…against the glass!!! No major, game misconduct or supplemental discipline! Yeah, league doing a f’ing great job at preventing head injuries😵💫
To me Lafreniere was always on a nugent Hopkins level. Yes his junior career was more impressive but he never had that stand out dominance like other 1st picks superstars have had over the years.
He had one great game. Everyone relax.
Lemme try to explain the ‘No goal’ decision. The play is over when the referee loses sight of the puck and they decide (in their head) that the puck is frozen. It is not unusual for the puck to become ‘unfrozen’ before the referee can blow the whistle. But it doesn’t matter. The play is over when the referee decides it is over (in their head) which, by definition, occurs before the whistle is blown. That may be what happened here. Also, the major penalty for boarding or elbowing was the correct call. They should not have downgraded it to a minor. It was a direct hit to the head.