Alexis Lafreniere has emerged as yet another French-Canadian ace who needed patience and fortitude to make the leap from "Close" to "You Win The Cigar."
It's called "The Build-up to a Letdown" and it happens to the best of them whether we're talking about show business, the National Hockey League or the New York Rangers.
I saw it happen to three of the best Hall of Famers in history.
1. MAURICE RICHARD: The great Rocket was twice rejected by the Canadiens as "too brittle" and "unproductive." He needed a couple of years, and, well, you know the rest (The NHL doesn't have a Rocket Richard Award for nothing.)
2. JEAN BELIVEAU: In the early 1950's "Le Gros Bill" was hailed as an instant Hab star because he seemed to have all the goods. He did but they were hidden for two years while he was deemed a flop. By the third year we began to see the makings of one of the greatest centers of all-time; Ten Stanley Cups worth.
3. GUY LAFLEUR: A complete failure in his debut and thereafter, "The Flower emerged as the key to Montreal's four-straight-Cup run in the 1970's. Oddly enough, he didn't blossom until he tossed away his helmet
What's The Maven's point?
We're seeing a reasonable facsimile in Alexis Lafreniere.
Drafted first overall in 2020, Big Al emerged as yet another French-Canadian ace who needed patience and fortitude to make the leap from "Close" to "You Win The Cigar."
Granted that his rise has happened without much fuss or fanfare but it's happening before our very eyes and even will be on display tonight in Boston.
At this point in time, it's fair to say that Lafreniere is on the Stairway To Stardom.
He's got 20 goals, 24 assists and 44 points -- all career highs with another 13 games left to play.
Add to that the fact that he has 38 even strength points and 184 shots on goal.
Minus defensemen Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren, the New Yorkers more thanever will be leaning on their forwards to even the balance. And, especially, on Lafreniere.
Make no mistake, the Blueshirts -- first place or not -- do have flaws. To wit:
* Special Teams and Goaltending: Laviolette's skaters rely too heavily on the aforementioned aspects of their game. Scoring is there but it remains inconsistent in five-on-five situations.
* Lindgren Has No Substitute. Invariably the absence of Ryan Lindgren has a negative effect on Adam Fox's game. Watch Fox carefully tonight and you'll see what I mean.
The Maven Says: Tonight's bout in Boston will be the best test of the Rangers depth as well as demonstrate how Big Al performs.
Stay tuned; I like the Rangers chances!