PGT: 9/18/16 North America vs Finland - North America 4 Finland 1 F

[leafsfan1234]

Very strong game by the young guns last night, I think they have a legitimate shot at winning their group. It would be something special to see them vs Canada in the finals.

 

[Gary Nylund]

really because they beat a European team that was jetlagged had never played together before and was coming off Olympic qualifying games. lost to the Czechs and beat the worst team in the tourney and you say they already punched above their weight class. hardly. win the next 2 games then we will talk.

Sounds like you missed the game last night. That's too bad, it was really something to see. I suggest you try to watch tonight if you can.

 

[Divine]

really because they beat a European team that was jetlagged had never played together before and was coming off Olympic qualifying games. lost to the Czechs and beat the worst team in the tourney and you say they already punched above their weight class. hardly. win the next 2 games then we will talk.

These excuses are golden. You're blaming professional athletes, who fly in first class and play games regularly (and can actually sleep on the plane) for being jetlagged for 2 games? Yeah, Team North America has been practising for years, not like they just started playing together at this tournament.

 

[ForSpareParts*]

Matthews :nod

 

[ffh]

These excuses are golden. You're blaming professional athletes, who fly in first class and play games regularly (and can actually sleep on the plane) for being jetlagged for 2 games? Yeah, Team North America has been practising for years, not like they just started playing together at this tournament.

all the Canadians on team n.a have played together on u18 u20 and wjc. same with the American players. team europe has never played together finished Olympic qualifying then flew overseas. these were meaningless games for a veteran team to get up for but the second half of the second game and the following game they were so much better. did team n.a win. yes. who cares pre tournament then the lost to the team that got blown out by Canada. great they then beat the worst team in tournament. I'm not going to put them in the final like some people I need to see a lot more.

 

[CornKicker]

all the Canadians on team n.a have played together on u18 u20 and wjc. same with the American players. team europe has never played together finished Olympic qualifying then flew overseas. these were meaningless games for a veteran team to get up for but the second half of the second game and the following game they were so much better. did team n.a win. yes. who cares pre tournament then the lost to the team that got blown out by Canada. great they then beat the worst team in tournament. I'm not going to put them in the final like some people I need to see a lot more.

you mean the game where NA let off the gas and when europe tried to actually played hockey NA just gassed them again for 3 more goals? oh yeah lol

 

[Countryjunkie]

Other than having a good shot, what else does Patrik Laine have to offer as a player? I honestly don't see anything special about him.

 

[snipes]

Other than having a good shot, what else does Patrik Laine have to offer as a player? I honestly don't see anything special about him.

He was probably the best player for the Finns, had a solid hit on Larkin and created some chances.

 

[TheMule93]

Other than having a good shot, what else does Patrik Laine have to offer as a player? I honestly don't see anything special about him.

Fast, great hands, big body

 

[Countryjunkie]

He was probably the best player for the Finns, had a solid hit on Larkin and created some chances.

The Finns were outplayed, so that's not saying much. But I have to disagree with your statement, Laine was hardly noticeable in last night's game so I don't see how he was the Finns best player.

Yes he made a beautiful hit on Larkin, but how far do you think Laine will get away with that in the NHL?

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Canada is probably going to win it all, but how can you not love this young guns team?

Which should be their anthem, by the way.



Maybe the NHL should restrict age to something like 25 and under, before players get stripped of their offensive brilliance for defense-first.

 

[ijuka]

Other than having a good shot, what else does Patrik Laine have to offer as a player? I honestly don't see anything special about him.

Excellent hands, good vision, good speed, good physical play, excellent size.

Did you see Barkov do something special that game?

 

[Countryjunkie]

Fast, great hands, big body

All good qualities to have as a player, but he has to start using them more.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Other than having a good shot, what else does Patrik Laine have to offer as a player? I honestly don't see anything special about him.

His shot isn't good. It's borderline unique for a prospect. Other than that, he's got a superb sense of offensive positioning, he's a very good passer with good vision, he's got good hands and stick handling, he's smart, he can really carry the puck. He's got size, puck protection qualities and can really flatten people if he sees the opportunity. He's a very, very special prospect.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Other than having a good shot, what else does Patrik Laine have to offer as a player? I honestly don't see anything special about him.

kid is so young... hes born in friggin 1998. Hes gonna be a superstar

crazy that people even question his game

 

[Countryjunkie]

Excellent hands, good vision, good speed, good physical play, excellent size.

Did you see Barkov do something special that game?

Like I said in my other post, great qualities to have as a player. However, what good vision are you referring to? Laine has tunnel vision for the net. Just my opinion.

 

[snipes]

​

The Finns were outplayed, so that's not saying much. But I have to disagree with your statement, Laine was hardly noticeable in last night's game so I don't see how he was the Finns best player.

Yes he made a beautiful hit on Larkin, but how far do you think Laine will get away with that in the NHL?

Not being overly noticeable and contributing to a couple opportunities are why I think he was probably the best Finnish player (or amongst the best), he didn't get dominated the same way most of his teammates did. He certainly didn't play awful by any means, I liked his physical play at the end. He needs to keep bringing that.

He'll be fine. Needs to work on some elements of his game on the smaller ice, but no doubt he'll be a very good player. His shot is deadly and very accurate, physical play is part of hockey.

Plus, the Jets have Big Buff. He won't take too kindly to players trying to retaliate against Laine. What Laine needs to improve is his acceleration and edge work. He's got good top end speed, but it's getting there quick that he can improve on. If he puts in time he can improve this element.

Lots to like about his game. He's NHL ready for sure.

 

[Bob Clarke Fan Club]

Like I said in my other post, great qualities to have as a player. However, what good vision are you referring to? Laine has tunnel vision for the net. Just my opinion.

A very rare opinion, which tells people it's an opinion given with very little thought or observation. Pretty common on here though.

 

[Lempo]

I just realized McDavid and Scheifele will very likely be linemates to Jesse Puljujärvi and Patrik Laine, respectively, in very near future.

 

[Countryjunkie]

​

Not being overly noticeable and contributing to a couple opportunities are why I think he was probably the best Finnish player (or amongst the best), he didn't get dominated the same way most of his teammates did. He certainly didn't play awful by any means, I liked his physical play at the end. He needs to keep bringing that.

He'll be fine. Needs to work on some elements of his game on the smaller ice, but no doubt he'll be a very good player. His shot is deadly and very accurate, physical play is part of hockey.

Plus, the Jets have Big Buff. He won't take too kindly to players trying to retaliate against Laine. What Laine needs to improve is his acceleration and edge work. He's got good top end speed, but it's getting there quick that he can improve on. If he puts in time he can improve this element.

Lots to like about his game. He's NHL ready for sure.

I'm sure Patrik Laine will figure it out as he develops in the NHL. But I think as soon as he figures out that he doesn't always have to set up for the perfect one timer, he'll become a much better and productive player.

As for the physical play, unfortunately making a solid clean hit in the NHL is a big No No. It's absolutely ridiculous that players have to fight or have a target on their backs during the game because they made an excellent hit.

 

[Countryjunkie]

A very rare opinion, which tells people it's an opinion given with very little thought or observation. Pretty common on here though.

You mean just like this opinion. Point taken.

 

[jj cale]

Going in to this this thing i knew Team NA would be the best skating team but skating is just one part of the game as we all know.


But it looks as if they are showing off now, did you see the look of glee on their faces when they were scoring goals?


The premise of this team was that they were gonna bulldozed and the N.H.L was going to come crawling on their hands and knees to get back to the olympics.


That was the master plan.


Now I'm worried, this might not end the way we thought it would.

 

[snipes]

I'm sure Patrik Laine will figure it out as he develops in the NHL. But I think as soon as he figures out that he doesn't always have to set up for the perfect one timer, he'll become a much better and productive player.

As for the physical play, unfortunately making a solid clean hit in the NHL is a big No No. It's absolutely ridiculous that players have to fight or have a target on their backs during the game because they made an excellent hit.

That's like any young player, they adapt as they get more experienced with the pace of player and talent of the competition. Laine is a very good player, he'll adapt.

Yes and no regarding hits. Most often scrums happen and some grappling, but yeah sometimes fights happen. With a guy like Buff on his team I doubt too many guys will want to attack Laine knowing they'll have to deal with Buff afterwards.

 

[scan15*]

Excellent hands, good vision, good speed, good physical play, excellent size.

Good hands, decent vision, NHL average speed. A solid prospect, just severely over hyped.

Not even going to bother about size. How much did size help Valeri Nichushkin?

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

Good hands, decent vision, NHL average speed. A solid prospect, just severely over hyped.

Not even going to bother about size. How much did size help Valeri Nichushkin?

lol, here we can do this for matthews too.

Good shot, decent speed, good vision. A solid prospect, just severely over hyped.

That doesn't make it true though.