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LW Patrik Laine - Tappara, FEL (2016 Draft)

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There's absolutely no point whatsoever for him to play bottom 6 minutes without PP time in the Liga. And every point to jump across the pond if need to be. Finland hasn't produced this type of a talent since Selänne. It will be his draft year so he needs the minutes one way or another. Then again I think he's already showed enough of what he can do while playing against the men so I don't see why Tappara wouldn't give him every chance to succeed.

Yeah and I agree such comments seem a bit cocky. But I guess Laine is very sell aware of his value and doesn't apply to the usual Finnish mold of a humble guy. Selfishness isn't necessarely a flaw, especially for someone who holds world class potential (especially when it comes to scoring goals).
 
Orvelo said:
In Urheilusanomat (Finnish sports magazine) they said that if Laine doesn't get the icetime needed he might even jump to CHL middle of the season.
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Why are they suggesting that? He is on a offensive 3rd line which will get a lot of off.zone starts.

And also, he is on the "Ovechkin spot" at 2nd power-play, and both units have been used equally.

Playing against men will develop him more than dominating against kids. Junior hockey could just keep his bad habits going on. Being mentored with pro players is the best growing place for him right now.

He could also get extra games at Tappara Juniors or Farm affiliate with +20min Ice-Time, nothing prevents him to play there.
 
Playing in a NA junior hockey league would probably help him reach the ceiling of his offensive potential more easily. There is something alluring about having a Finn who can score 50 goals a season. But, playing against men will probably develop him more as an overall player, because in a pro league team he will have a lot more defensive responsibilities. He's stated multiple times that Ovechkin is his favourite player, and if he wants to develop his talent towards that kind of player type, maybe CHL is a good way to go. (All of this speculation is leaving aside the issues of maturity and what would be the best environment for him).

However, what I wonder is the significance of his status while entering the draft. He probably won't be ready for the NHL right away, so if he is not drafted from the a European pro league, he would not be AHL eligible. Unless, of course, it would be akin to a Honka situation where he would be playing on loan in Sarnia, so he would be AHL eligible. I believe he currently has a contract with Tappara, so the latter scenario seems more likely, although I don't remember his contract status after this season.

EDIT: Immediately thinking about it, it seems very likely Tappara has him locked after his draft season so they won't miss on any compensation.
 
kelsier said:
There's absolutely no point whatsoever for him to play bottom 6 minutes without PP time in the Liga. And every point to jump across the pond if need to be. Finland hasn't produced this type of a talent since Selänne. It will be his draft year so he needs the minutes one way or another. Then again I think he's already showed enough of what he can do while playing against the men so I don't see why Tappara wouldn't give him every chance to succeed.

Yeah and I agree such comments seem a bit cocky. But I guess Laine is very sell aware of his value and doesn't apply to the usual Finnish mold of a humble guy. Selfishness isn't necessarely a flaw, especially for someone who holds world class potential (especially when it comes to scoring goals).
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He seems to get more PP time than any other Tappara player, wouldn't worry about that too much.
 
If playing into CHL would an option for Laine, he would be there already.
Laine told after his CHL import draft pick, that no-one in Sarnia Sting's team magament didn't take any contact for him before CHL import draft.

If Laine has difficulties to get enough icetime in tappara, why not tappara won't loan him other liiga team.
Where Laine has good chances to get plenty of icetime.

But if he really wants go to CHL middle of season.
Tappara can't prohibit him to do that, or can they?
 
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I don't see any reasons why Laine wouldn't get the time on ice he deserves. Kid is clearly one of Tappara's best forwards. I think the question is how can he handle all the time he gets.
 
VLU5 said:
Watching Tappara - Zug atm. Kid is good.
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Best player for Tappara again (in scoring attempts) today. 8 scoring chances, one created for linemate Ilomäki. No points today, but one tip-in on the post and another shot on the post. And one chance was a takeaway from a defenceman and a short-breakaway, did shot wide. He shoots a lot wide, because he is hunting top corners, and that what every NHL superstar will do.

But man this guy will be a Fenwick-monster.
 
I hope Pulju can pick up his game so it'll be a real competition for top Finn prospect. Atm it's not even close.
 
VLU5 said:
I hope Pulju can pick up his game so it'll be a real competition for top Finn prospect. Atm it's not even close.
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I think Pulju has put up some weight during the summer and isn't used to it yet. I just can't think of any other reason why he looks so uncoordinated and uncomfortable with the puck on his stick.
 
JJTT said:
I think Pulju has put up some weight during the summer and isn't used to it yet. I just can't think of any other reason why he looks so uncoordinated and uncomfortable with the puck on his stick.
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Rantanen said for him it took few months to get used to, just have to hope Pulju is gets his game together and is a beast from december to draft.

I'd still take Pulju ahead of Laine, especially for Boston Pulju should be a perfect fit.
Laine can be ahead of him now but I see Pulju being a better NHL player.
 
The Liga hasn't even started yet and people are ranking them vs each other. I hope it stays as close as it is right now. Too bad Matthews chose an easier league to play. Would've been enticing seeing all three of them skating in the same country so we'd get a clear view of who's ahead of who.

Some time ago we were talking of the raw potential in Laine. Now we are seeing that transforming into actual ability. Far sooner than I thought.
 
kelsier said:
The Liga hasn't even started yet and people are ranking them vs each other. I hope it stays as close as it is right now. Too bad Matthews chose an easier league to play. Would've been enticing seeing all three of them skating in the same country so we'd get a clear view of who's ahead of who.

Some time ago we were talking of the raw potential in Laine. Now we are seeing that transforming into actual ability. Far sooner than I thought.
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I wouldn't say NLA is far off Liiga if at all worse, and it anyways usually the best North American players are playing with kids while in Europe they are playing pro.
 
wings5 said:
I wouldn't say NLA is far off Liiga if at all worse, and it anyways usually the best North American players are playing with kids while in Europe they are playing pro.
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I'd say there's still a noticable difference, it's easier for a prospect to get to the 1st line in NLA than in Liiga
 
kelsier said:
Yeah and I agree such comments seem a bit cocky. But I guess Laine is very sell aware of his value and doesn't apply to the usual Finnish mold of a humble guy. Selfishness isn't necessarely a flaw, especially for someone who holds world class potential (especially when it comes to scoring goals).
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This.
You don't become the best by wanting to be good enough and humble, rather the kid have a cocky streak (with realism*) and have the guts to try and resolve situations himself, try to score the goal, to have the self-confidence to try the difficult low percentage solution which when it goes in is genious.

You don't win the scoring race/rookie of the year/first overall/whatever if you are too humble. Laine should push the envelope at all times but not open it, be borderline but not uncontrollable. If he does that, then oh boy, oh boy!

*Must be the realism to still try your hardest every day to be the best, and not going out to world conquer with your jacket open
 
wings5 said:
I wouldn't say NLA is far off Liiga if at all worse, and it anyways usually the best North American players are playing with kids while in Europe they are playing pro.
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Having watching both of these leagues because i have lived in Geneva i can honestly say the overall talent level and competition is much better in liiga than NLA. These CHL games make it even more obvious. I would say that NLA best players are better than Liiga's but depth is poor compared to Liiga. Also bottom and middle tier teams in NLA are not good compared to Liiga. Absolute top teams like Zurich and Bern could fair very well in Liiga and be top teams in that league but other than that no way NLA is close to Liiga in terms of competition and level of play.

Not sure where you base on you're knowledge. Maybe roster of absolute top teams of NLA? They might have few shiny names but other than that by watching the actual games i wouldn't have even shade of doubt in my opinion which league is better in terms of competition. That is not bashing the NLA which is very competitive league but clear top 3 leagues in europe are KHL, SHL and Liiga in that order.
 
thomast said:
Having watching both of these leagues because i have lived in Geneva i can honestly say the overall talent level and competition is much better in liiga than NLA. These CHL games make it even more obvious. I would say that NLA best players are better than Liiga's but depth is poor compared to Liiga. Also bottom and middle tier teams in NLA are not good compared to Liiga. Absolute top teams like Zurich and Bern could fair very well in Liiga and be top teams in that league but other than that no way NLA is close to Liiga in terms of competition and level of play.

Not sure where you base on you're knowledge. Maybe roster of absolute top teams of NLA? They might have few shiny names but other than that by watching the actual games i wouldn't have even shade of doubt in my opinion which league is better in terms of competition. That is not bashing the NLA which is very competitive league but clear top 3 leagues in europe are KHL, SHL and Liiga in that order.
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I guess Swiss league has more north americans(not sure though) so they think it's better but they forget that average finnish player >> average swiss player.
 
Tuomaz said:
I guess Swiss league has more north americans(not sure though) so they think it's better but they forget that average finnish player >> average swiss player.
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Has the KHL then drained Switzerland's top native talents like it has done for Finnish league?
 

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