During these stretches the goals per game for Macknnion: 2.74 Lafreniere: 3.1, Rangers record: 181-92-29 Avalanche record: 152-148-28. Laf has looked a lot better but he’s not gonna be Mackinnon
Accomplished_Low148
You’re not wrong about being patient with young players, but a Laf vs McKinnon comparison is just apples to oranges. Mac had 6 more points his rookie year than Laf’s career high of 57 this year. Mac was also a PPG player in the playoffs his rookie year. You could always see the gamebreaking speed and talent with Mac a lot more clearly than you could for Laf his first few years.
jfstompers
Yes Laf is just like MacKinnon
Few_Foundation_4242
I think it’s terrific laffy has turned it around and is a top 6 guy. Good for him!! It was a nightmare for a while…
Nikerym
As an Avs supporter i’m annoyed that you randomly made up stats for the 16/17 season which the Avs did not play.
My father collects hockey cards. He bought every Laff RC he could get his hands on after the kids rookie year and his cards were dirt cheap. Same with Tippett. The man has a nose for buying low and selling high.
2LostFlamingos
It’s pretty insane to expect 18-19 year old kids to immediately dominate against grown men.
TinyExit37
Laf looks really good this playoffs. His skating looks a lot better than it was his first few seasons.
JReddeko
Were we patient enough with Nail Yakapov?
Glock-Saint-Isshin-
People seem to think players primes are in the low twenties when players seemingly have their best years after 26.
MaximumIntention7474
I agree with OP that Laff is going to break out soon. I think he will eventually be putting up 70 or 80 points.
Wonderful-Patient732
Said this a few weeks ago. Don’t be surprised if Laf is in mvp conversations in 3-4 years.
Radu47
Even when they really struggle early on, like Joe Thornton and Nino Niederreiter
Both traded too early also after they got their footing
I would try to compare the career WAR of Nino and clutterbuck but cal has negative career WAR so it makes it awkward
Nino probably is at cumulative 30 WAR for his career? Cal likely -3 or something. Mid 3rd round pick also, but not impactful.
Ofc the rest is history with Joe, mountains of WAR
sextoymagic
Yes. And your comparison is awful lol.
Unstep-in-Time
Its been slow going but good for him to continue to improve. In the playoffs he looks good.
bernbabybern13
Anyone who doesn’t realize he’s still only 22!!!!!!!! is an idiot.
ChuckFeathers
Yup, see the Sedins, Naslund, Bertuzzi, Neely, LaFontaine, Lafleur
Lexus2024
Well, kakko was supposed to be a star. Congrats to Florida, they won at msg tonight. With how close teams are and speed and strength, the days of dynasty are likely over.
VastFaithlessness980
Also, we need to remember that the pandemic draft classes (2020, 2021, 2022) have had their development screwed up a bit due to COVID. Laf, Byfield, Rossi, and Slafkovsky have shown that we might need to be more patient with these players.
Ok-Giraffe-3955
im still waiting for puljujarvi to break out
bored_person71
So while he’s being better he’s still no Mac…if you look at Mac he’s injured missed a lot of games in first few years but still way outscored him…also nyr are a far better team the Colorado was when Mac started…nyr where a few small changes from being last to being playoff team …Colorado was still in the middle of its rebuild where Alex was the end of a rebuild…
dhas19
I appreciate the message, but (just for context) MacK’s 2016-17 season was with a historically bad team at 48 points. Laf’s ‘23-24 season was with a President’s trophy winning squad at 114 points.
Not exactly apples to apples, but I agree he’s coming into his own.
bokin8
Let them cook!
Grimmer026
Laf has come a long way, but still BS that the Rangers got a 1oa pick as a playoff team.
Zukouh
It took MacKinnon a while because the Avalanche were absolute; he had no help
28 Comments
Well said
During these stretches the goals per game for Macknnion: 2.74 Lafreniere: 3.1, Rangers record: 181-92-29 Avalanche record: 152-148-28. Laf has looked a lot better but he’s not gonna be Mackinnon
You’re not wrong about being patient with young players, but a Laf vs McKinnon comparison is just apples to oranges. Mac had 6 more points his rookie year than Laf’s career high of 57 this year. Mac was also a PPG player in the playoffs his rookie year. You could always see the gamebreaking speed and talent with Mac a lot more clearly than you could for Laf his first few years.
Yes Laf is just like MacKinnon
I think it’s terrific laffy has turned it around and is a top 6 guy. Good for him!! It was a nightmare for a while…
As an Avs supporter i’m annoyed that you randomly made up stats for the 16/17 season which the Avs did not play.
but also
https://imgur.com/N5JHAoE
Lol ok
My father collects hockey cards. He bought every Laff RC he could get his hands on after the kids rookie year and his cards were dirt cheap. Same with Tippett. The man has a nose for buying low and selling high.
It’s pretty insane to expect 18-19 year old kids to immediately dominate against grown men.
Laf looks really good this playoffs. His skating looks a lot better than it was his first few seasons.
Were we patient enough with Nail Yakapov?
People seem to think players primes are in the low twenties when players seemingly have their best years after 26.
I agree with OP that Laff is going to break out soon. I think he will eventually be putting up 70 or 80 points.
Said this a few weeks ago. Don’t be surprised if Laf is in mvp conversations in 3-4 years.
Even when they really struggle early on, like Joe Thornton and Nino Niederreiter
Both traded too early also after they got their footing
I would try to compare the career WAR of Nino and clutterbuck but cal has negative career WAR so it makes it awkward
Nino probably is at cumulative 30 WAR for his career? Cal likely -3 or something. Mid 3rd round pick also, but not impactful.
Ofc the rest is history with Joe, mountains of WAR
Yes. And your comparison is awful lol.
Its been slow going but good for him to continue to improve. In the playoffs he looks good.
Anyone who doesn’t realize he’s still only 22!!!!!!!! is an idiot.
Yup, see the Sedins, Naslund, Bertuzzi, Neely, LaFontaine, Lafleur
Well, kakko was supposed to be a star. Congrats to Florida, they won at msg tonight. With how close teams are and speed and strength, the days of dynasty are likely over.
Also, we need to remember that the pandemic draft classes (2020, 2021, 2022) have had their development screwed up a bit due to COVID. Laf, Byfield, Rossi, and Slafkovsky have shown that we might need to be more patient with these players.
im still waiting for puljujarvi to break out
So while he’s being better he’s still no Mac…if you look at Mac he’s injured missed a lot of games in first few years but still way outscored him…also nyr are a far better team the Colorado was when Mac started…nyr where a few small changes from being last to being playoff team …Colorado was still in the middle of its rebuild where Alex was the end of a rebuild…
I appreciate the message, but (just for context) MacK’s 2016-17 season was with a historically bad team at 48 points. Laf’s ‘23-24 season was with a President’s trophy winning squad at 114 points.
Not exactly apples to apples, but I agree he’s coming into his own.
Let them cook!
Laf has come a long way, but still BS that the Rangers got a 1oa pick as a playoff team.
It took MacKinnon a while because the Avalanche were absolute; he had no help