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QnebO
Wheel, snipe, celly
- Feb 11, 2010
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Aceboogie
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- Aug 25, 2012
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Even tougher to predict. and even more reason they lucked out. I can see why Toronto picked Matthews as he was safer pick and in position of need. Laine was more of a wildcard. But right now it seems hes paying out in spades
MardyBum
Registered User
I wish this would become a thing, was fun to see it in his Tappara highlights.
Well maybe Toronto media thought that Laine is a wildcard but a few dozen experts said Laine = Lemieux.
Not such a wildcard when you think about it.
The Cannon of Tesoma
Registered User
The fact that FEL is notoriously defensive league in characterically defensively oriented National hockey system is seldom appeared in topics about evaluating relative strenghts of the leagues. Now, if one reflects Laine's early goal scoring finesses against that background, something could've been maybe concluded better in various evaluations about these things. Alas, but because it was rather widely spread perception that FEL wasn't comparable to North American beer leagues [sic] or that one in Switzerland [sic], maybe created some extra haze upon an eyes of many...
Best part in that all is that there are pretty deep vexillation of young players sparring against that system defense. ...and Patrik-factor is already visible among age-class of future generations of comtemporary half-toddlers.
Best part in that all is that there are pretty deep vexillation of young players sparring against that system defense. ...and Patrik-factor is already visible among age-class of future generations of comtemporary half-toddlers.
Laine is on pace for 64-65 goals.
If we take away his two hat trick games, he'd still be on pace for 34 goals. If we even that out by also taking away two 0 goal games, 34 becomes 41 goals.
Or let's play what ifs - what if he now hits a 4 game slump with no scoring - after that slump he'd be still on pace for 50 goals.
What does it all mean? Nothing I guess, just some interesting speculation with numbers. I'm just hoping he stays healthy and gets to play the full season.
He was awesome in his first NHL games, but he looked a bit timid and very physically raw. Interestingly, as he's got more adjusted to the NHL game, he's looking more physically complete as well, to my eyes at least. Not like he's at his peak physically or anything, but in a good place anyway.
I wonder if it's just his confidence, or if he's been through a very intensive physical training period during the summer and preseason and it's actually taken some time for his body to catch up and he's now actually more "rested" in some ways than he was when the season started? I know next to nothing asbout physical fitness, just a thought.
If we take away his two hat trick games, he'd still be on pace for 34 goals. If we even that out by also taking away two 0 goal games, 34 becomes 41 goals.
Or let's play what ifs - what if he now hits a 4 game slump with no scoring - after that slump he'd be still on pace for 50 goals.
What does it all mean? Nothing I guess, just some interesting speculation with numbers. I'm just hoping he stays healthy and gets to play the full season.
He was awesome in his first NHL games, but he looked a bit timid and very physically raw. Interestingly, as he's got more adjusted to the NHL game, he's looking more physically complete as well, to my eyes at least. Not like he's at his peak physically or anything, but in a good place anyway.
I wonder if it's just his confidence, or if he's been through a very intensive physical training period during the summer and preseason and it's actually taken some time for his body to catch up and he's now actually more "rested" in some ways than he was when the season started? I know next to nothing asbout physical fitness, just a thought.
Do or Die
Registered User
- Jun 28, 2011
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Watching Laine every night.....beyond the obvious attributes......what is pretty freaky is that in his first 15 games...at 18.....I see him continually making adjustments..... on a game to game basis. Like on his positioning, passing and physical game. Great hockey sense....
He started by scoring goals out on the perimeter, with that shot. Now he is starting use that frame, to close into the net, with the tips and rebounds stuff.
Great scorers simply find a way....like this KID.
He started by scoring goals out on the perimeter, with that shot. Now he is starting use that frame, to close into the net, with the tips and rebounds stuff.
Great scorers simply find a way....like this KID.
I still remember when people used nhle stats from 2006 to determine that Laine would only score 20 points. 
Gump Hasek
Spleen Merchant
I don't think they really stumbled onto him though. I recall an interview with their director of scouting on TSN1290 that was done following the draft; he'd been over to see him play a total of 16 games in Findland and that they'd focused upon him on an individual basis more than any other player - and this was prior to them winning the lottery. IIRC correctly he said they looked at Pulu a total of 14 or 15 times. They likely had Laine at the top of their list or at least in the top-2. Their heavy scouting of Laine also explains this quote from Cheveldayoff prior to the draft:
While TSN was suggesting ahead of the draft the Jets might take Pulu or PLD, Chevy has since admitted that he knew the minute they moved up to second in the draft lottery that he was taking Laine. I guess you could say they stumbled onto him via luck in the lottery, but Laine it appears was the player they wanted all along.
NHLe was also a major stat Toronto based media used to tell the 'STUPID MASSES' why Matthews is so much better than Laine.
vaiski
Registered User
- Dec 27, 2015
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The pace at which he is able to adapt and progress is really something special. I mean McDavid was practically flawless since his first shift, but who have we seen something like this from? He's outproducing every goal scorer in the league at 18, while still having some kinks to work out in his game. That to me screams HIGH ceiling. Maybe the Lemieux comparisons weren't that far fetched after all.
Gsus
MVP
NHLe stat should also look at the pick they were chosen at. It was clear from day one that NHLe doesn't go along with Laine. He's no typical Finnish kid coming out of his country. That's what some of us including me, kept saying. Every player is different, once you draw them all together you get an average. And Laine is no average guy.
Coaches Coroner
Member
- Mar 12, 2009
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Got a source? Outside of Finnish fans, I have literally seen 0 such reports, let alone dozens. Fast and loose with the facts, presidential style.
The Winter Soldier
Registered User
- Apr 4, 2011
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If people cannot understand or refuse to accept, why many so many scouts had to think long and hard of not putting Laine at #1 in the draft as Mckenzie reported prior to the draft. They will never understand or accept this. Consensus ranking is one thing, actual difference in the quality of players is another thing.
I have no problem saying Laine has been the best rookie this year already. Well ahead of schedule as most expected him to adjust to the NHL coming from Europe. And in reality he is only going to get better with the biggest room for improvement in his particular draft class.
Gsus
MVP
Remember that is only based on his style to skate etc.. No one is actually saying that he is Lemieux. I had to say it just to let you know.
I'm gonna leave kunekune to respond from his side. But I do remember a few ex-players/reporters make that STYLISTIC comparison. I guess one of the ex-players was Bobby Hull.
Coaches Coroner
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- Mar 12, 2009
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That's not what that poster said. If a stylistic comparison is what he meant, that's fine, but I can only respond to the words he writes down.
Gsus
MVP
Wouldn't you think that it was obvious what he meant? I have not seen a single post saying that Laine = Lemieux. Since you said that this has been brought up by Finnish people, I'd like to see those posts. Because I hardly believe that. The problem has been always that usually the other poster in this matter argumenting against Laine (I'm not saying a Leafs fan, oops) has not understood the thing at all. Most of them didn't even allow those comparisons to be made, even if it had nothing to do with Lemieux's career and numbers, but just the style of play. I've seen numerous cases of this stylistically comparing Laine to Lemieux, and I have numerous times corrected the other side that it is just a comparison to their style of play.
The Cannon of Tesoma
Registered User
One of the best sources for all kind stuff about Laine and what was said about him and by whom and for what-ever reasons is attached as a list of previous Laine threads to the OP of this thread.
Other good source is Toronto Maple Leafs' various Fan threads, though it is counterproductive to go there to search info about Laine due perceived hubris related to the topic.
If there exists now some recoil, everyone can easily understand why.
Other good source is Toronto Maple Leafs' various Fan threads, though it is counterproductive to go there to search info about Laine due perceived hubris related to the topic.
If there exists now some recoil, everyone can easily understand why.
BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
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Mostly stylistic, mostly. But not only that. Others also said that Laine has skills that remind them most of Lemiux since Mario himself.
But yeah, I don't think anyone (including Finnish fans) said or wrote that Laine = Lemieux.
One problem with thise comparisons are that even if they were spot on, and we did have a carbon copy of young Lemieux here, he would not be the next Lemieux point/domination wise. It's just so much harder to score or dominate NHL nowadays, as the goalies and d-men and 5-men defence has improved tremendously.
No they were not. Im sure Toronto media wants to play it that way but those guys said Laine=Lemieux. They did not say anything about style comparisons.
Too bad I am on my phone but on the top of my head here are some names that said Laine = Lemieux.
Hull, Chelios, Mckenzie drafting, Larionov, Mogilny, Selanne, Kurri, Lehtinen, Numminen etc.etc.
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