I am fine with him just being a 3rd line player. Need to trade for a top 6 right wing
- TPC

We drafted two lotto pick wingers and both aren’t top 6 caliber. Only the rangers

We drafted two lotto pick wingers and both aren’t top 6 caliber. Only the rangers
- nyrangers2

Yea it sucks, wish they could show some offense

I am fine with him just being a 3rd line player. Need to trade for a top 6 right wing
- TPC

Yea. He shouldn’t get too many minutes.

Yea it sucks, wish they could show some offense
- TPC

Only bright side is it will help us when we bridge them

Way too many penalties and careless plays
- picklerick

And can't hit the top shelf.

Mercer the best player on 3-4 shifts. Laf invisible. People really blaming development issues within the rangers organization which I buy, but it more is on the player. Laf has no speed or explosiveness. Nothing he does stands out
- nyrangers2

The last time LAF was explosive was in the MTL game.

The last time LAF was explosive was in the MTL game.
- aecliptic

He looks like a passenger. He looks like he never wants the puck. It’s bizarre

Yea it sucks, wish they could show some offense
- TPC

Second half of last season and early on this season Laf looked pretty promising. Going on 10 games now without noticing him much. Kakko goes stretches too where he looks great.

They almost have the opposite problems. Kakko gets in good positions, but just can’t finish. Laf is always on the outside and never in good scoring positions, but when he does he’s a solid finisher.

Fox is so good on the backhand and laf should get a point

Fox's great backhands

Second half of last season and early on this season Laf looked pretty promising. Going on 10 games now without noticing him much. Kakko goes stretches too where he looks great.

They almost have the opposite problems. Kakko gets in good positions, but just can’t finish. Laf is always on the outside and never in good scoring positions, but when he does he’s a solid finisher.
- TC88

This is what I mean about changing the mentality of gaining the zone. I think a lot of what the Rangers focus on is board play and puck retrieval. I just dont think it suits the kind of player LAF is.

Take a seat pk

The issue with both Kakko and Laf is they are below average NHL caliber skaters. It’s been apparent since day one. I don’t understand how either one was ranked so high as prospects.

Fox's great backhands
- ELew11

TJ's boy with the play that started it.

The issue with both Kakko and Laf is they are below average NHL caliber skaters. It’s been apparent since day one. I don’t understand how either one was ranked so high as prospects.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I think kakko got too jacked this off-season and now he’s even slower

There you go, Laf did something

I think kakko got too jacked this off-season and now he’s even slower
- picklerick

His stride is choppy and uneven, Laf has no second gear.

At this level it’s difficult to become a better skater, I have the uneasy feeling they’re never going to live up to their pedigree.

The issue with both Kakko and Laf is they are below average NHL caliber skaters. It’s been apparent since day one. I don’t understand how either one was ranked so high as prospects.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Agree big time with this. It causes them to get rid of the puck quickly bc they get no separation. Laf either becomes Daigle or turns into lecavalier

I think kakko got too jacked this off-season and now he’s even slower
- picklerick

I just wonder what it is that Kreider does/did to be so fast.

But also, Im not sure its that they cant skate faster or harder, I think its the confidence to perform high skilled moves at high rates of speed. Its what makes Ovi so amazing. Is that he can go 1000 mph and still do all those things everyone else does at half speed.

The issue with both Kakko and Laf is they are below average NHL caliber skaters. It’s been apparent since day one. I don’t understand how either one was ranked so high as prospects.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Watching these made me feel a little better. Oozing with skill, just having confidence issues right now. Ton of pressure to be a 1st or 2nd puck and come to NY. Guarantee both would have 50% more points in Arizona. But also to your point, they have trouble creating time/space because of their skating. I think they will improve.

Laf
https://youtu.be/OemgeBuxvr4

Kakko
https://youtu.be/G-SJ-WAXn5o

Both so confident and decisive. I still have hope for both to be stars. Crosby, McDavid and McKinnon ruined 1st overall picks forever lol.

Hey now

I just wonder what it is that Kreider does/did to be so fast.
But also, Im not sure its that they cant skate faster or harder, I think its the confidence to perform high skilled moves at high rates of speed. Its what makes Ovi so amazing. Is that he can go 1000 mph and still do all those things everyone else does at half speed.
- aecliptic

Ovi is a superstar, he’s an amazing skater for a guy 235 Ibs.

I’m sure if you went back to his development years, you’d see Krieder was always a superior skater.

And that’s were Laf will score goals.

Hey now
- picklerick

Perfect timing!

Hey now
- picklerick

Lets just keep talking crap about guys during games lmao

I just wonder what it is that Kreider does/did to be so fast.

But also, Im not sure its that they cant skate faster or harder, I think its the confidence to perform high skilled moves at high rates of speed. Its what makes Ovi so amazing. Is that he can go 1000 mph and still do all those things everyone else does at half speed.
- aecliptic

Kreider has the most intense work out regimen and physique on the team. He’s a freak