All the hand wringing and consternation over Alexis Lafreniere playing for Team Canada in the World Junior Championships can now end. Darren Dreger reported today that the team is not expected to release the first overall pick in this past year's draft to play. Nothing is official yet, but Dreger is usually in the know, so I would take this as 99.99% certain.
It’s also believed the New York Rangers won’t be releasing Alexis Lafrenniere to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. The NHL club wants their 1st overall pick to continue to train locally and focus on his first NHL training camp. https://t.co/KL2SnGV0JW
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 3, 2020
UPDATE | Statement regarding Alexis Lafrenière:https://t.co/4mGKH3fziQ
— #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) December 3, 2020
I wrote on October 20 and October 29 on the possibility and concern of Laf playing in the WJC. My view then, see below, is the same as now and what seems to be the final decision by the Rangers. I would not have let him play, since I felt there was little for him to gain by suiting up and a lot to lose, so I applaud the team for making the right decision.
As Bob McKenzie noted, Lafreniere has already played in two WJC's. In addition, he suffered an injury in last year's tournament, but was able to return after missing minimal time. Kakko really burst on the scene in the 2017-18 tourney, locking up his status as one of the top-two players in the draft. What could either gain from playing?For Laf and Kakko, the start date to the regular season could drive the decision-making process for the team and player. If the season or lets even say training camp will begin in the beginning of January, the likelihood of either playing is remote. To have one or both of them go right from the tournament to training camp to the season without any break is risky due to the lack of rest in between.
Even if the season starts in late-January or February and is less than 82 games, allowing either to suit up is fraught with risk. Just think back to all the hand-wringing when Laf was injured and the questions as to whether he should suit up the remainder of the tourney, Now add in the specter of him being Rangers' property and the possible injury sidelining him for the regular season and/or being major. How apoplectic would you be? The same thought process could apply to K'Andre Miller, who I believe is still eligible to play, though more so on the injury and less on timing of play, since he is unlikely to open the season with the parent club. In addition, as pointed out in the blog comments, do any of them have anything to prove? Plus, while they are in a bubble, COVID still needs to remain a concern, albeit less than if traveling.
My understanding is that most Rangers' fans did not want Laf to suit up for the reasons noted above. Open to your thoughts, especially if a dissenting opinion and why. Now, hopefully, the NHL and NHLPA settle their differences and get the season started.
In addition, in a move that also isn't that surprising, Kaapo Kakko will not suit up for Finland in the WJC.
#NYR Kaapo Kakko will not be playing for Finland in the upcoming Junior World Championships in Edmonton.
— Jouni Nieminen (@OnsideWithJouni) December 4, 2020