Post-Game Talk: A Pure-Laine Hat-Trick in Montreal vs the Sabres

[The Real Timo]

So you're saying we're not winning the cup?

are we at least making da playoffs?

 

[Benstheman]

8 years at $10 million for a particularly fragile player is a bold move. Maybe even a bit too bold for my liking/comfort. His past and continuing injury history will (should) give any general manager pause before tying up almost 10% of a team's cap over the next decade for an injury prone player. .

I think if he proves he can stay healthy for the rest of the season and next and can produce, he will get a good contract.

I think if he plays good the rest of the season, HuGo might propose an extension of 5 years at about Suzuki and Caufield salaries this summer. More than that would be too risky in my opinion. Will Laine accept it? I don't know. Maybe he bets on himself and thinks he can get a bigger contract in two years when he becomes UFA.

 

[Goalfield13]

All of you talking about extending Laine are aware that he is still under contract next season? There is plenty of time to see what he still has to give outside the power play before thinking extension and for how much/how long.

His power play prowess alone is enough. We have been begging for skill and help on the PP forever, and now we are mulling over whether to extend him or not? We sign him as early as we can.

 

[Benstheman]

His power play prowess alone is enough. We have been begging for skill and help on the PP forever, and now we are mulling over whether to extend him or not? We sign him as early as we can.

He still needs to show he can stay healthy for more than a half season though. I really like him and he fits exactly what we needed on the wing but we cannot oversee the fact that he is still a risky player to sign long term. I think extending him this summer would still be risky even if he plays all the remaining games of this season.

 

[Goalfield13]

He still needs to show he can stay healthy for more than a half season though. I really like him and he fits exactly what we needed on the wing but we cannot oversee the fact that he is still a risky player to sign long term. I think extending him this summer would still be risky even if he plays all the remaining games of this season.

I don't care if he can stay healthy for half a season. He has more points in 7 games than Newhook has in 31. We need him. You take the risk for a talent like him.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He won't ask for 12.5, I have a feeling he will buy into our team concept and remain at his current cap hit of 8.7 million. He's the highest paid player on the team. 8 years @ 8.7 million

Really? How many of us are prepared to go to our boss and say, I'm prepared to take 10% less in compensation to buy into our business' concept. If you know such a person please let me know and I will hire him/her tomorrow.

In today's world, no player in his prime is leaving mega millions of dollars on the table for any supposed team concept or any other reason for that matter.

Let's get real. We will have to pay Laine what his market value is. And not much less.

 

[SlafySZN]

I mean he currently has a choice of three center icemen who's production aggregate isn't really close to a PPG.

He’s still not in form, that was the point of the post. Not talking about linemates.

 

[badi]

Back in Da Mix

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Really? How many of us are prepared to go to our boss and say, I'm prepared to take 10% less in compensation to buy into our business' concept. If you know such a person please let me know and I will hire him/her tomorrow.

In today's world, no player at his prime is leaving mega millions of dollars on the table for any supposed team concept or any other reason for that matter.

Let's get real. We will have to pay Laine what his market value is. And not much less.

Let's see how he performs for the remainder of this season and next. Crosby took less money to stay at his 8.7 million cap hit, it happens.

 

[Rapala]

He’s still not in form, that was the point of the post. Not talking about linemates.

I know he's not in top form but having consistent line mate(s) who can get him the puck in his wheelhouse with space is imperative.
When I watched Laine play live at the Bell Center the first thing I noticed was he's two steps ahead of his linemates upstairs.

 

[The Real Timo]

His power play prowess alone is enough. We have been begging for skill and help on the PP forever, and now we are mulling over whether to extend him or not? We sign him as early as we can.

Take part of Slaf's salary and move it over to Laine.

 

[CharleyHorse]

Imagine when Demidov will be there in PP with Laine and Hutson!! Wow!!

Yes, there’s a real chance we could have both PP1 and PP2 firing on all cylinders. Or, we might go through another cluster f*** season where nothing clicks because of the inexperience of young players - cue the fanbase demanding Demidov and Hutson get shipped to Laval and Laine and Caufield fired into the sun. Hoping for the first, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s the second - just ask NYR fans.

 

[RageQuit77]

I'm damn happy for Patrik and Habs now. Finally seeing systematic, and rational PP system to try to get as much as possible out from Laine's shot. Maybe BUF isn't the best measuring stick, but how enjoyable it is to see the artist inspired, and freely producing new masterpieces in the art of sniping.

However, I suspect that kind magnitude of PP bombardment from Patty won't last too long, as now everybody know he is really back, in form and the primary shooter of Habs.

Habs need to diversify their PP tactics soon enough, and utilize also others, when Laine gets cheated 2-3 vs 1, due lethality of his shot. But I wouldn't be too concerned, as Laine can give great passes, and there are actually players on PP that can shoot well too, something that hasn't been always given.

A count for perfect PP feeds from Laine in the past career resulting failed receive, fumbled shot, missed shot, targeted on a goalie, or failed re-pass by other player must be at least dozens by now. In this sense Habs PP1 isn't worst place to be for The Cannon of Tesoma. It maybe finally sensible thing to do for him to sometimes actually pass the puck instead of shooting it by himself, and that is very weird thing to say relative to Patrik Laine.

 

[Goalfield13]

Take part of Slaf's salary and move it over to Laine.

Nah, Slaf is fine. 20 y/o coming off a 50 point season. They should get rid of Newhook and Dach and give that salary to Laine instead. We can put defensive checking players with Laine and have better results.

 

[Mcdonaldz]

Ah yes let’s trade this guy for picks and prospects thatd would never be as good as him !!! StRoNg ASseT MaAaaaaanagEnnnnt

 

[CharleyHorse]

I don't care if he can stay healthy for half a season. He has more points in 7 games than Newhook has in 31. We need him. You take the risk for a talent like him.

Yeah, that’s what you say now. But I’ve seen how Habs HFB turns on players the moment things don’t pan out as imagined. The pitchforks come out real quick.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

Ah yes let’s trade this guy for picks and prospects thatd would never be as good as him !!! StRoNg ASseT MaAaaaaanagEnnnnt

This is HFboards, we love picks and prospects more than anything else!

 

[Goalfield13]

Yeah, that’s what you say now. But I’ve seen how Habs HFB turns on players the moment things don’t pan out as imagined. The pitchforks come out real quick.

Yeah, we are dumb. So what?

 

[Toene]

I'm damn happy for Patrik and Habs now. Finally seeing systematic, and rational PP system to try to get as much as possible out from Laine's shot. Maybe BUF isn't the best measuring stick, but how enjoyable it is to see the artist inspired, and freely producing new masterpieces in the art of sniping.

However, I suspect that kind magnitude of PP bombardment from Patty won't last too long, as now everybody know he is really back, in form and the primary shooter of Habs.

Habs need to diversify their PP tactics soon enough, and utilize also others, when Laine gets cheated 2-3 vs 1, due lethality of his shot. But I wouldn't be too concerned, as Laine can give great passes, and there are actually players on PP that can shoot well too, something that hasn't been always given.

A count for perfect PP feeds from Laine in the past career resulting failed receive, fumbled shot, missed shot, targeted on a goalie, or failed re-pass by other player must be at least dozens by now. In this sense Habs PP1 isn't worst place to be for The Cannon of Tesoma. It maybe finally sensible thing to do for him to sometimes actually pass the puck instead of shooting it by himself, and that is very weird thing to say relative to Patrik Laine.

We have Caufield and Suzuki who can rip it. I'm not worried. If they defend Patrick too much, Cole will bury it.

 

[morhilane]

People thinking that teams keying on Laine on the PP will be a problem haven't looked at how the Habs are playing the PP right now. If Laine isn't open because teams are keying on him then one of CC, Suzuki or Slaf will be. And there is Hutson who move the box by himself on top of that.

 

[Goalfield13]

People thinking that teams keying on Laine on the PP will be a problem haven't looked at how the Habs are playing the PP right now. If Laine isn't open because teams are keying on him then one of CC, Suzuki or Slaf will be. And there is Hutson who move the box by himself on top of that.

Hutson is going to win ROTY based on PP points alone. Mark my words.

 

[Benstheman]

People thinking that teams keying on Laine on the PP will be a problem haven't looked at how the Habs are playing the PP right now. If Laine isn't open because teams are keying on him then one of CC, Suzuki or Slaf will be. And there is Hutson who move the box by himself on top of that.

Yep they will have a good problem when Demidov comes in next season. So many weapons.

 

[le_sean]

Hutson is going to win ROTY based on PP points alone. Mark my words.

No he’s not. Not with Celebrini being a PPG

 

[Tabarouette]

Imagine what Laine could garner us at the trade deadline if his production continues?

Just a thought.

whenever i'm talking about stockholm syndrome being renamed as habs syndrome this is what i'm talking about

allergic to talent

 

[Kosseca]

WAYYYYYYY to early to discuss Laine's future.

Laine is far from being back to full health and it is hard to say how he evolve as a player as he regain his form. You dont offer contract based on 10 games... KH will want to see more. Same for Laine, he knows that the more he prove he's back to elite status, the more he can get on a next contract.

Also, they probably want to see how he fits on a team that has more talent, including Demidov. And you may get more in a trade after he has a full season with good players.

So, for now, enjoy the ride.