Laine 11th career hatty vs BUF

[Voight]

6 goals in 6.5 games

The habs got paid to take him...

Six games..... let's see where he's at in a couple months before coming in with the mission accomplished banner.

 

[NotCommitted]

In the two 2017-2019 regular seasons, Laine scored 26 goals assisted by Wheeler. So about a third of his goals, despite how they didn't play on the same line 5v5. So yeah, maybe the reason why Jets fans said that Laine fans who thought Wheeler ignored Laine were hallucinating was because the evidence directly contradicts their hallucinating nonsense.

That was never up for debate, their whole PP setup in 2017-18 was based on Wheeler doing a cross-ice pass for a Laine one-timer. If someone now is claiming otherwise, they weren't watching the games or their memory is playing tricks on them. They were feasting on that PP for a year, but then all teams started taking away the Wheeler to Laine pass and the PP got a lot worse.

My biggest gripe with PPs so far Laine's whole career has been teams not utilizinbg the simple pass from point to Laine... barely never saw that Winnipeg and it was pretty rare in CBJ as well. They've done that a ton in Montreal and Laine is scoring, he has a good enough shot, he doesn't need a practically empty goal, it's enough to create a little bit of movement for the goalie and let Laine handle the rest.

 

[Marioesque]

My biggest gripe with PPs so far Laine's whole career has been teams not utilizinbg the simple pass from point to Laine... barely never saw that Winnipeg and it was pretty rare in CBJ as well. They've done that a ton in Montreal and Laine is scoring, he has a good enough shot, he doesn't need a practically empty goal, it's enough to create a little bit of movement for the goalie and let Laine handle the rest.

After Buff in Winnipeg it was a rare sight. In Columbus the PP is what Werenski makes of it and he likes to shoot a lot so Laine was really under utilized. And then they got JG who was used to running PP from Laine's office so they moved Laine to RD on the PP. Completely removing the onetimer option.

Habs seem to understand the assignment much better. The PP moves the puck well and forces openings, while Laine is a massive threat.

 

[VT]

Finally Laine has found a team where they realize he's a mostly just a PP cannon, and that's completely fine. Use his strengths and enjoy the goals.

See statistics. Despite injuries, he had more or the same number of 5v5 goals as Reinhart in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. He played with Jenner and Roslovic as centers, with Peeke on defense in both seasons + Gudbranson and Bernie still on defense in 2022/23 (Werenski got injured after 13 games). Still, he had 1PPG and 0,945 PPG. How many would Matthews have had in those conditions?

He was making his teammates better.

I'm not counting the 2023/24 season, he only played 18 games, 14 of them after his concussion, although he gradually picked up his form, unfortunately he got injured again and then the NHLPA program.

We'll see when he starts skating normally, improves his stick work, etc. Right now, Buffalo is for him like a Stanley Cup winner for a health player. If I understand right, his 5v5 play was enough bad.

 

[VT]

He’s playing with the worst 2C in the league

& no that’s not just saying because it’s Laine both Dach and Slaf have been anchors this season

Laine isn’t an elite 5on5 player by no means but at 5on5 he’s being dragged down by his linemates and of course doesn’t help that he missed a full year of playing and the pre season

Are you saying this after seasons in Columbus? Who was this player? Jenner? Roslovic? Nyquist? Or Gaudreau, who made his stats worse while he made Johnny's better (JG has great chemistry with players like Tkachuk, played good with Marchenko too because he loved to pass to the net)? Maybe a great offensive defense led by Peeke because Werenski was often injured?

 

[Romang67]

He’s playing with the worst 2C in the league

& no that’s not just saying because it’s Laine both Dach and Slaf have been anchors this season

Laine isn’t an elite 5on5 player by no means but at 5on5 he’s being dragged down by his linemates and of course doesn’t help that he missed a full year of playing and the pre season

In 100 minutes of 5v5 play this season, Dach+Slafkovsky without Laine have an xGF% of almost 56%.

Hot take: the player that has managed to stay above 43% xGF% once in his past 6 seasons is the culprit, not the other two players on his line.

 

[elmaco]

Even if hes a PPG player for a year and half, scores 40 next season, and doesnt get injured, his history shows that he will get injured later on, and often. I dont wish it, Im just being real. The guy has played 136 games since the 21-22 season out of a possible 277. Hes missed more games than hes played.

Then in summer 2026 youre talking about a sought after UFA. ie. the absolute WORST time to sign a guy UNLESS youre contender for the Cup. We're talking $11M+ per by then as the cap increases. THe Habs have enough rich contracts at the moment with Suz, CC, Slaf, and soon to be Hutson and Demidov in 3 years. Assuming they get a good pick next summer, thats another (probable) big contract in 4 years time. Guhle and Suzuki will be approaching UFA status in 2030 and 31 respectively, 2 more HUGE contracts. If you sign an expensive UFA now, theyll have to give someone up to make it all fit, and chances are Laine will have the worst contract.

I 100% guarantee everyone and their mothers, the Habs wont be Cup contenders in 26-27 or 27-28. Hopefully on the upswing by then, but then youre banking on Laine being great at age 32 or 33 when are acutal hopeful Cup contenders come 2030 or later. He could be great at that age, but Its too high risk with him. Wait to sign your big name UFAs when the time comes. Not now, and not in 2 years either.

What if he scores 30 this year and 60 the next, do you still let him walk?

 

[Marioesque]

In 100 minutes of 5v5 play this season, Dach+Slafkovsky without Laine have an xGF% of almost 56%.

Hot take: the player that has managed to stay above 43% xGF% once in his past 6 seasons is the culprit, not the other two players on his line.

Hot take, watch the games. So you can see who loses the puck and causes goals against. You get a better idea that way.

 

[Legion34]

There were many hab fans on the boards poo poo the trade. You got blasted if you said it was a good idea

I mean they still kind of suck so isn’t that title correct?

 

[Romang67]

Hot take, watch the games. So you can see who loses the puck and causes goals against. You get a better idea that way.

I've had the displeasure of watching Laine try to play 5v5 hockey. And that was back when the results were less bad than they have been since he left Winnipeg.

People blamed his linemates back then too. In fact, some of the same people. The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

 

[Marioesque]

I've had the displeasure of watching Laine try to play 5v5 hockey. And that was back when the results were less bad than they have been since he left Winnipeg.

People blamed his linemates back then too. In fact, some of the same people. The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

In other words, you've seen Laine play years ago and that gives you enough insight to determine that Laine has been the problem in his current line in Montreal.

Don't be offended if I choose to trust my own eyes over your rather inspired analysis.

 

[Romang67]

In other words, you've seen Laine play years ago and that gives you enough insight to determine that Laine has been the problem in his current line in Montreal.

Don't be offended if I choose to trust my own eyes over your rather inspired analysis.

Oh, I'm not offended. People have trusted their eyes about Laine over those pesky stats for almost a decade now.

 

[teugen]

yeah I figured you were one of those who thought the Habs were soon to be contenders. Part of the impatient fanbase that think it only takes a few years of top picks to build a true Cup contender….. They didn’t get a Crosby and Malkin in back to back years unfortunately. Here’s a reality check, it usually takes a decade from when you started drafting high. See FLA, COL, TB, WSH, EDM and when they started, and how many high picks (homrun picks and busts) it took them before finally piecing together a winner.

Habs pretty much started this rebuild 2 seasons ago with Slafkovsky after Bergevin made his idiotic moves after the 2021 run… Kotkaniemi pick obviously doesn’t count, it’s a lost/bust pick. Caufield and Hutson are homerun picks, very fortunate, but they’re not your Makar and MacKinnon elite pieces. Hopefully Demidov is one. I’m not counting on Slafkovsky or Reinbacher to be another unfortunately. They need to land one of those elite pieces next summer, ideally a centre.

And btw, Laine is a UFA at 28, not this summer. He won’t go for a discount unless he gets injured again, and if he does youd have to be really dumb to re sign him. Let alone re signing a guy because we need to “please the fans”??? That’s how you screw up a rebuild and end out being exactly where they were for the past 30 years.

I would not use us as an example. We have barely any home made players in the roster and the succes was built by trading. We literally had to lose one of our own top picks for us to compete.

 

[VT]

In 100 minutes of 5v5 play this season, Dach+Slafkovsky without Laine have an xGF% of almost 56%.

Hot take: the player that has managed to stay above 43% xGF% once in his past 6 seasons is the culprit, not the other two players on his line.

How Patrik influenced his teammates in the 2022/23 season. Sorted by time. Not to forget, he was returning from injury/illness 3 times (COVID).

About this season. The problem is that Laine is back after a year off, Dach hasn't played in a year, and he had a serious injury that will affect his play for maybe the whole season if not more. And not only were they connected, but Slafkovský, who had lost his form, was playing overtime with them. Both Dach and he need time.

 

[JianYang]

No. The Montreal pick. The implication of Laine possibly costing the Habs draft position should have been obvious.

I think they will draft closer to 5 than 10. They actually might get another pick somewhere in the teens depending on how Calgary does this year.

 

[Stickpucker]

Glad to see him finding success.

I hope he's enjoying it.

 

[DoubleGold]

Hope he's enjoying himself and feeling better after all he's gone through. Never understood all the hate he gets.

 

[Hins77]

but so why take that chance? Wouldnt you rather invest in another big name UFA who isnt often injured, and at the right time? Every year theres someone, sometimes two or three, in that UFA crop that are just as good but a lot healthier.

Are u looking closely the UFA? Man they are always old or washed up and they become instantly overpaid. (There is some exeption) There is always reason why players become free agent. Would you like Marchessault, Stamkos? Thanks but no thanks! Laine has elite talent and not that old. You don't have that on UFA market

 

[amnesiac]

I’m not a Montreal fan just saying them trading Laine would be idiotic

Whether you like it or not those players in the locker room look up to Laine and trading Laine would send the wrong message. Sorry guys we aren’t here trying to win.

Suzuki will be 26y next season and that move would mean Suzuki, Montreals 1C would be closer to 30 when they could start thinking about doing something. So might as well trade Suzuki this summer as well?

& your Dach point is exactly why they shouldn’t trade for Laine. Let’s trade more proven players for even more magic beans! Hurray

Dach is the worst 2C in the league and that’s the biggest problem Montreal needs to figure out moving forward in the forward group and now that doesn’t require extra tanking

Slaf- Suzuki- Caufield
Demidov- x- Laine and they’ll have a legit top6 for the next 5-7 years right there and zero players would be making superstar money allowing them to spend elsewhere

Also Laine- Demidov- Suzuki- Hutson has potential to be an elite pp group for Montreal for a very long time

Trading away Laine would be a massive FU to the fans and to the players. They’ve been star struck with them adding someone like Laine and then you turn around and trade him away when they should start winning games

Well if you want to be the next Buffalo go ahead and always try to run with more magic beans

Superstars make 12-14M today, in few years time 14-16M per year. In 2-3 years time how many better forwards are you going to be able to sign for less than Laine at 8.xM?

Suzuki hasnt been injured for 6 straight seasons. Quite the opposite, hes an ironman. Thats my whole argument. Weird comparison.

if the Habs are a bubble team (or better) next season at the trade deadline and keep Laine, thats understandable to make a playoff push. But if they are down and out (very possible), you absolutely should trade him. Thats just logical. THey can just re-sign him July 1st, although I wouldnt for reasons I explained.

You say magic beans like Dach. I say magic beans like Lane Hutson, the 66th overall pick that was obtained for Brett Kulak! I can name countless others. As a rental, Laine would probably fetch a 1st and prospect, maybe more.

Ill take a healthy and proven $12M star UFA at the right time over a constantly injured one whos also had problems off the ice. Imagine paying $8-9M for a guy who plays on average 60GP a year, and is said to be bad 5 on 5 as well as in his own end. Would be another anchor contract a la Gallagher or Anderson, and would probably prevent them from signing one of their good young players in the long run, and be forced to make trades that they dont want to.

I dont need to explain how this city can turn on a player quite fast when they dont perform and are paid a lot. I dont think Laine of all people would take it well at all if it were to happen. Jon Drouin a very good example in recent years. If you dont think thats a factor considering what we know about Laine youre just kidding yourself. I wish him and his mental health well and all, of course, but it is what it is.

To me thats the bigger risk in becoming a "Buffalo". Signing a high risk UFA and it screwing you over for 7 or 8 years..... Its not high risk if you DONT sign him as there are other options.

 

[amnesiac]

Are u looking closely the UFA? Man they are always old or washed up and they become instantly overpaid. (There is some exeption) There is always reason why players become free agent. Would you like Marchessault, Stamkos? Thanks but no thanks! Laine has elite talent and not that old. You don't have that on UFA market

Your examples are UFAs on their 2ND UFA contract.

Im talking about stars when they become UFA around age 28-30. Thats what contenders do like say Tampa with Guentzel last summer, FLA with Reinhart, VGK with Pietrangelo and Stone, etc etc

yes some can be busts or hurt you longterm, there always risk involved, but the point is, to me, Laine would be the biggest and highest risk of all given his recent history.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Laine was meant to play in Montréal

 

[amnesiac]

First, they have the same job so they have the same job hazards. They could be injured the next day after signing the contract and never play a game. Many thought Eichel was a lost cause because of a persistant injury but look at him now.


I don't know what you think Laine's level is, but there definitely are not two or three players as UFA every year who are just as good. Players of his level don't generally see free agency.

He just scored his 11th hat trick in the NHL. He has missed a TON of time and opportunity, yet he has scored 11 hat tricks.

When you put that in context, Mikko Rantanen has 10.

He has been in the league longer, plays with MacK and Makar and has not had constant injury troubles.

Matthews has 13, hasn't had the injury troubles of Laine. Better opportunity and linemates.

So what is Laine's level, really?

4th fastest in hockey history to a 100 goals, while battling injuries.

are you really trying to convince me Laine is as good a player/goalscorer as Matthews and Rantanen right now, and all he needs is better linemates? cmon man. Post that here and youll be ridiculed until next year.

Fact of the matter is, he is not the same player and goalscorer as he was in his first 2 seasons. Hes definitely not a bad players when healthy, but hasnt averaged more than 40G per 82 since 2017-18. THats just a fact, I dont care who his linemates were. Great goalscorers dont need great linemates.

But my whole point was that his constant injuries are the bigger concern. If you pay him and ends being a Drouin, youve probably screwed up the rebuild, and stuck with a massive achor contract.

 

[RageQuit77]

@amnesiac

About everything you say, makes sense (kind of), but you still seem to forget (or do not know) what it really looks like:



Hockey is played on ice, not on HFBoards.

 

[amnesiac]

@amnesiac

About everything you say, makes sense (kind of), but you still seem to forget (or do not know) what it really looks like:



Hockey is played on ice, not on HFBoards.

Nowhere am I questioning his shot. Hes a great offensive player when healthy, not good defensively, but thats ok. But go ask WPG and CLB fans about the bad times and areas of his game. Hes far from perfect.

I mean, If he were injured just a few seasons in a row, that would already be concerning. But the fact that hes been injured for 6 in row on top of off ice issues.... thats a massive red flag.

Chances are he'll continue to get injured regularly, and would be a regrettable contract assuming theyd pay top dollar.

 

[RageQuit77]

Nowhere am I questioning his shot. Hes a great offensive player when healthy, not good defensively, but thats ok. But go ask WPG and CLB fans about the bad times and areas of his game. Hes far from perfect.

I mean, If he were injured just a few seasons in a row, that would already be concerning. But the fact that hes been injured for 6 in row on top of off ice issues.... thats a massive red flag.

Chances are he'll continue to get injured regularly, and would be a regrettable contract assuming theyd pay top dollar.

Ok.

Few top picks will remedy that.

Certainty of natural goal scoring instinct and skill vs Potential of those things.

I agree, with Patrik you must accept high risk, but with it comes also high reward.

Probably the hardest asset to place a value. 'Unicorn'.