I think that people are misunderstanding the OP's point here. He was not saying that Lapierre is as good as Kesler is now, but that Lapierre's style and progress as a player reminds him of Kesler 2 seasons ago, when he was still hashing out his game and finding his role on the Canucks.
I don't think it's possible to deny that they play a similar style of pest hockey. Lapierre's unquestionably less talented than Kesler, but it's not like the OP was comparing him to Ovechkin. I would say that Lapierre is about 1.5-2 years behind Kesler in progression, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see him put up numbers similar to Kesler's last season stats in a season or two.
Lapierre's last game was a great indicator of where he is in development. He was a definite factor against the Panthers, using his speed to create counter chances and annoying the Panthers' D and goalie. However, late in the game, he had a mental lapse and took a dumb penalty. There was a lot of good I saw in his game, but one, absolutely terrible mistake. As long as Lapierre can start to weed out taking bad penalties like that holding the stick call, he will be a valuable checking forward and agitator for this team this year.
Wasnt Kesler the guy that B Clark attempted to sign as a RFA? Kesler reminds me a little of Mike McPhee. As a Lap fan I believe that he will do better and top out at 10-10 on the fourth line. If he was ever moved up he would do better. I honestly believe that Chip and Lap are a tad afraid to pass.
Wasnt Kesler the guy that B Clark attempted to sign as a RFA? Kesler reminds me a little of Mike McPhee. As a Lap fan I believe that he will do better and top out at 10-10 on the fourth line. If he was ever moved up he would do better. I honestly believe that Chip and Lap are a tad afraid to pass.
Laps lack of passing I've seen... but I really haven't seen that from Chipchura at this point.... I've actually thought his passing has been ok.
Ryan Kesler is Mike Richards but not as good offensively despite his start of the season. Kesler looks more like a Kris Draper to be at this point.
No way that Lapierre are anywhere near those guys yet and wouldn't be 'cause there one thing he'll never have as much as those guys and it's the hockey sense at that level.
lapierre at his max potential will be a 30-40 point player. Thats IF he has good wingers. Kesler I can see him as a 60-70, maybe 70-80 in a break out year.
Kesler's skating is miles a head, he isn't that good offensivley but is still much better then Lapierre.
youre underrating laps skating abilty...hes a gr8 skater probably top 5 on the team as far as for everything tho not a good comparison....kessler a lot better offensively....however if laps wud be put on the 2nd or 3rd line i cud see im getting 40-50 points....
off the top of my head (might be waaaaaaay off here) but laps is kind of like upshall type player on phili...feel free to disagree tho
I didn't even read all of the posts in this thread, but no, Lapierre is nothing like Kesler. Kesler does this thing where he can see other players on the ice and maybe anticipate that they may get into a scoring position and do this crazy thing called a pass. He's also a horse down the middle, smartly checking and shadowing the opponents best players. Lapierre can be great on the boards and the fore-check but would you put him out to make sure Spezza or Savard or Vanek don't score? There's a reason why a lot of people think Lapierre should be a winger in the NHL and comparing him to Kesler is actually a perfect way to help further prove that point.
I think that people are misunderstanding the OP's point here. He was not saying that Lapierre is as good as Kesler is now, but that Lapierre's style and progress as a player reminds him of Kesler 2 seasons ago, when he was still hashing out his game and finding his role on the Canucks.
I don't think it's possible to deny that they play a similar style of pest hockey. Lapierre's unquestionably less talented than Kesler, but it's not like the OP was comparing him to Ovechkin. I would say that Lapierre is about 1.5-2 years behind Kesler in progression, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see him put up numbers similar to Kesler's last season stats in a season or two.
Lapierre's last game was a great indicator of where he is in development. He was a definite factor against the Panthers, using his speed to create counter chances and annoying the Panthers' D and goalie. However, late in the game, he had a mental lapse and took a dumb penalty. There was a lot of good I saw in his game, but one, absolutely terrible mistake. As long as Lapierre can start to weed out taking bad penalties like that holding the stick call, he will be a valuable checking forward and agitator for this team this year.
