LW Patrik Laine - Tappara, FEL (2016 Draft)

[Risingwind]

I wonder how much Laine & Puljujärvi will dominate next year in U18

If they keep on progressing like we might suppose they would progress, it's possible that they don't play in the U18 team anymore. I suppose it depends on how many of the other young players land in the big team. If either of them can elevate their play through the next season and become a dominant figure by the playoffs, it might be enough to compete for a spot in the NT. It'll need to be a showing at the level of Barkov/Granlund/Pulkkinen though, but I'm not going to proclaim it an outright impossibility. I can see all the ingredients there for both of them, it just needs a dose of hard, intelligent training work and some good fortune coming their way.

 

[Hagged]

While Getzlaf and Perry aren't speedsters, both can turn in small spaces quickly. Laine isn't even close to that level. But he's got time on his side. It's his activity or lack of when he doesn't have the puck. Tappara fans at Jatkoaika have mentioned it several times that his defense usually consists of standing in one place and I could actually see that several times yesterday. His first shift on the ot was a complete disaster, we were lucky the Swiss didn't capitalize during it. He really shouldn't have been on the ice during the Swiss equalizer.

Neither getz or Perry were close to that level when they were 16. Well I'm not sure about Perry but getzlaf wasn't exactly a figure skater either at that age.

 

[Jussi]

If they keep on progressing like we might suppose they would progress, it's possible that they don't play in the U18 team anymore. I suppose it depends on how many of the other young players land in the big team. If either of them can elevate their play through the next season and become a dominant figure by the playoffs, it might be enough to compete for a spot in the NT. It'll need to be a showing at the level of Barkov/Granlund/Pulkkinen though, but I'm not going to proclaim it an outright impossibility. I can see all the ingredients there for both of them, it just needs a dose of hard, intelligent training work and some good fortune coming their way.

If Kärpät play in the finals again, then it's very likely that Puljujärvi won't be at the tournament (assuming he's developed so much that he's a key part of the team). Tappara are in fora major shake up so they might not make the final next season. So I'd guess that at least one of Puljujärvi and Laine won't be there. Next year's tournament is also played in the US, so flying straight from the finals isn't an option.

 

[wings5]

Neither getz or Perry were close to that level when they were 16. Well I'm not sure about Perry but getzlaf wasn't exactly a figure skater either at that age.

You've seen Getzlaf or Perry at 16? They were elite players in their own right and no their skating was not great at all but they were good at turning in corners, very quick when they needed to be down low, ahead of Laine for sure in that category. Laine is also reminiscent of Mark Stone who is not the greatest skater at all but managed to improve in that category a ton since junior when it was terrible. I think Laine can do the same. In terms of what I've seen from him I really liked that he has an active stick as he was constantly lifting the stick and stripping the puck from opposing players so their is a commitment to defense that will improve. He doesn't play with the edge of Perry even though he doesn't shy away from physical play I can't see him getting 100 + PIMS at the next level like Perry, however I can't see him getting as little as Stone, he is a competitive fiery kid.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

So where does everyone see this kid going in 2016? Seems to have a pretty complete offensive package. His skating is not at all a concern from what I've seen. The kid is huge and just turned 17, I'm sure his coordination will improve.

The Malkin/Vanek comparison seems pretty good to me. Maybe a bit of Bobby Ryan tossed in there as well.

 

[kelsier]

So where does everyone see this kid going in 2016? Seems to have a pretty complete offensive package. His skating is not at all a concern from what I've seen. The kid is huge and just turned 17, I'm sure his coordination will improve.

The Malkin/Vanek comparison seems pretty good to me. Maybe a bit of Bobby Ryan tossed in there as well.

He is a complete mystery at this point of time. The most untapped raw offensial potential I've seen in a for a very long time. I've said the same thing throughout the season so far. The roof is on the ceiling of a skyscraper and the bottom down in the cellar. You could see what he can do without proper skating and somewhat selfish gamestyle. Both can be taught. Playing and training with adults should have a positive affect on the psychological side. If everything false into place, well... there's that thing called stardom. But lets just be patient, wait and hope for the best. He plays in my home town so next season should be entertaining the very least.

 

[JJTT]

So where does everyone see this kid going in 2016? Seems to have a pretty complete offensive package. His skating is not at all a concern from what I've seen. The kid is huge and just turned 17, I'm sure his coordination will improve.

Ask again after the summer.

If his skating still sucks 2nd round

If his skating is good top 10

 

[Paxon]

Ask again after the summer.

If his skating still sucks 2nd round

If his skating is good top 10

His skating/other things will probably have to degrade significantly for him to fall out of the 1st. I think improvements in his skating will be the difference between him being seen as one of the elite prospects in the top cluster vs. not being put in that group, but it's hard to imagine him not going in the 1st. The tools are elite for a player of any size and he's huge.

 

[LoveHateLeafs]

Granted, it's only two matches, but watching the games against Canada and the US, I didn't see much that I liked about Laine. Against the best teams, I just didn't see any evidence of the high hockey IQ that you look for in a top 10 player. He didn't seem to position himself to help his linemates win battles. He had a couple of good passes, but on the whole passing wasn't great. His defensive play was lackadaisical. Yes, he has good hands, but his game just seems to place too much emphasis on dangling, which rarely transitions to the pro level unless you're Pavel Datsyuk.

When I watch him, I get the same feeling I got when watching John McFarland at around the same age. McFarland had two great tools: he was fast, and he had great hands. Laine is big and has great hands. Both of them are self-centred, rather than selfish, in that they want the puck, but when they don't have it, they don't put themselves in the position that maximizes the chances of the puck carrier getting it to them. To me, this is an IQ issue and it's unlikely to improve.

 

[CrosbytoKessel]

I know a ton about skating, worked with a ton of pro skating coaches. I would like to see a video of him skating if somone has one.

 

[Critter]

I know a ton about skating, worked with a ton of pro skating coaches. I would like to see a video of him skating if somone has one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM87mnqfQns

here you go, number 27.

 

[kelsier]

Granted, it's only two matches, but watching the games against Canada and the US, I didn't see much that I liked about Laine. Against the best teams, I just didn't see any evidence of the high hockey IQ that you look for in a top 10 player. He didn't seem to position himself to help his linemates win battles. He had a couple of good passes, but on the whole passing wasn't great. His defensive play was lackadaisical. Yes, he has good hands, but his game just seems to place too much emphasis on dangling, which rarely transitions to the pro level unless you're Pavel Datsyuk.

When I watch him, I get the same feeling I got when watching John McFarland at around the same age. McFarland had two great tools: he was fast, and he had great hands. Laine is big and has great hands. Both of them are self-centred, rather than selfish, in that they want the puck, but when they don't have it, they don't put themselves in the position that maximizes the chances of the puck carrier getting it to them. To me, this is an IQ issue and it's unlikely to improve.

Did John McFarland posses a world class, elite shot with superb release as well?

You have to dig in a little deeper. Laine and Puljujärvi both were so dominant during their time in the Finnish jr leagues that it was very easy to develope "can do this by myself" kind of attitude. Especially Laine, was apparently surrounded with low quality line mates in the past so he put up those numbers by himself. When he enters FEL next season hopefully, he's no longer the best player of the team and that should weed out some the qualities that makes him less of a team player and we should get a better idea of his hockey IQ and vision. Granted, that he doesn't get another freak injury to ruin the off-season. I actually like that some of the forwards growing up from Finland are a little bit selfish by nature. There has been too many humble promising guys throughout the past years.

Still at the end of the day Laine will be a goal scorer, not a playmaker. That's in his nature and that's what he's best at (possibly from the entire draft class).

 

[FinProspects]

To me Laine is also first and foremost a sniper. No other Finnish player (maybe aside from Pulkkinen) has possessed same kind of goal scoring qualities in the past 20 years.
When he has a chance he will bury it better than 99,9% of the players, simple as that. I dont think there's that much more you need to know from Laine.

Some team will take the risk on taking Laine in the first round. I mean how can you not choose 193cm player with that kind of skill level? He is a project, and will never be a 2way force. But goal scoring, skill and size cannot be teached, defense can.

It's all about his skating now, this summer is going to be huge. At the moment I see him going 10-15 in the draft. But a lot can, and will, change during the next year.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

I hope he realizes it sooner rather than later that he can't just slowly dangle his way through stronger opponents and starts looking for the pass more. He should really tone down the selfish somewhat as he must be the most selfish player that I have seen in a long while and never in professional hockey. One thing I noticed in the U18 games was that he frequently took long shifts. If he gets his skating in order and matures as a hockey player, he will most likely become a great goal scorer. I just would've thought that he'd be more mature already since he played almost 40 games in men's teams this season.

They should send the guy to play in KeuPa under Ville Nieminen, perhaps he could teach him the proper attitude as he allegedly did with Olli Palola.

 

[VLU5]

I remember someone mentioning last year that Ville Nieminen allegedly had said that Laine is even bigger talent than Puljujärvi but the problem is that his work ethic is garbage and he doesn't practice like other players of his age, unlike Puljujärvi for example.

This is just a rumor though and nothing I just said can be confirmed. My point is that people are assuming that one summer will do wonders for his skating. At least from what I've gathered about Laine I wouldn't bet my money on him working as hard as Granlund did after his first year in NA. I'd be happy to hear from Tappara followers if I'm completely off here and got it all wrong.

One thing I know for sure though is that if he becomes the player he could become, he'll be a player I hate to love and love to hate.

 

[Snowsii]

I remember someone mentioning last year that Ville Nieminen allegedly had said that Laine is even bigger talent than Puljujärvi but the problem is that his work ethic is garbage and he doesn't practice like other players of his age, unlike Puljujärvi for example.

This is just a rumor though and nothing I just said can be confirmed. My point is that people are assuming that one summer will do wonders for his skating. At least from what I've gathered about Laine I wouldn't bet my money on him working as hard as Granlund did after his first year in NA. I'd be happy to hear from Tappara followers if I'm completely off here and got it all wrong.

One thing I know for sure though is that if he becomes the player he could become, he'll be a player I hate to love and love to hate.

I would bet, as i think he's allready seen that just his talent wont gurantee him a spot @ Tapparas roster. And he is working with his problems.

 

[Woodhouse]

Laine was selected by Sarnia in today's CHL Import Draft:

 

[Patmac40]

Don't know if he considers coming over but Laine - Zacha - Korostelev would be interesting.

 

[kelsier]

Laine was selected by Sarnia in today's CHL Import Draft:

Is this normal, in terms of drafting players from European leagues unless there are some kind of assumption they could be heading over?

Would do wonders for Laine's exposure playing in NA but not so sure about his developement.

 

[Emerz]

Is this normal, in terms of drafting players from European leagues unless there are some kind of assumption they could be heading over?

Would do wonders for Laine's exposure playing in NA but not so sure about his developement.

Yes its pretty normal, some teams just swing for the fences and hope the guy reports.

 

[JJTT]

Sarnia didn't even ask him if he is willing to come over, so safe to say this is not happening.

 

[kelsier]

Sarnia didn't even ask him if he is willing to come over, so safe to say this is not happening.

So much rather prefer him learning two way game amongst men than playing jr hockey and worrying about his point totals. Wise decision, in other words.

 

[Jack DiBiase]

Is this normal, in terms of drafting players from European leagues unless there are some kind of assumption they could be heading over?

Yeah. That's why it's called import draft.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Laine should go to play into Sarnia Sting.
His skating issues are major and playing into Sarnia Sting would probably help fix his skating issues and canadian skating coaches are best in the world

Also Laine has some attitude problems and move to canada would be good for him.
There he'll be far away of his home and that would help him to grew up for mentally.

 

[Jussi]

Laine should go to play into Sarnia Sting.
His skating issues are major and playing into Sarnia Sting would probably help fix his skating issues and canadian skating coaches are best in the world

Also Laine has some attitude problems and move to canada would be good for him.
There he'll be far away of his home and that would help him to grew up for mentally.

He can work on his skating AND defense in Finland.