Hokinaittii
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2015
- 2,497
- 1,293
None of those players have matched Laine's goals in their career before stepping into NHL. If anything, it's fair to believe Laine could be the best goalscorer out there in future, even though he isn't a Leaf.
We'll see.
He has a knack for positioning, so that says something about his hockey IQ. He will learn to adjust.
He also has great hands and his speed is underrated because of his acceleration (which is one of those things that can be worked on, btw). He is talented enough to be able to create space on his own as well. Worst case scenario, he'll have to learn to use his body. As said before, Jagr wasn't exactly the fastest either.
What do you see that scouts don't? Surely they have considered these factors. He is solidly in the top 3 of this draft, most likely 2.
FinPanda
Barkov Stanley cup champ!
You will be greatly disappointed when you'll see that Laine isn't as good as you think.
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BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
- 41,877
- 22,449
That's happening here daily and I hate it.
It's great to be a Finn hockey fan and see those comments everyday.
So damm frustrating.
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
But he is.
Being in the minority in this case is more like your personal problem. It's like arguing 5 cents are more than 10. Doesn't make any sense.
It was his 15 year old year, similar to how people count Laine's year at the WHC as a 17 year old, eventhough he was 18. I know he was actually 16, but going by the IIHF classification used here so often he was in his U-16 year. As shown on elite prospects
http://www.eliteprospects.com/league_total.php?season=%&leagueid=WJC-18&leagueteam=&nation=&sort=u16
Puljujarvi dones't belong in that grouping, he belongs with Marner, Strome, Hanifin, Bennett, and Reinhart tier.
Ok, that way you are right. I didn't think that way, but either way, it was impressive.
With Puljujärvi i am 50/60 to think if he is that group of the first (or actually second cause McDavid is now in his own league) or that Marner, Strome etc. group. Pulju was fantastic WJC, after WJC in FEL regular season, FEL playoffs and U18 with his knee injured, shoulder minor injury and wrist injury in U18 finals with hat-trick and gold. He is not as mature than Eichel, Matthews, Laine, but i see his potential and ceiling so high, but i have to see next season to him is he get all to gather and he get his game more mature and his skills and potential which he have to shining. If he are what i think, he will be real beast in every place in the ice.
I mean, he has size and body, he is one of the best skaters in this draft, his shot is so hard, he is absolutely energetic, he has accuracy in his shot, but could be better, he knows how to use his shot, but he could better, he has very high hockey iq and passing skills and he can stickhandle, but he has some problems to use his body and stick in best way. So he have all the tools and those tools is so high end and that's why i see his ceiling sky high, but he has to learn to use that package in best way. If he can, like i said, he will be real beast.
A lot of people will be greatly disappointed when they see that Matthews isn`t as good as they think.
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
A lot of people will be disappointed they can't say "i told you so" either way, when both Matthews and Laine will turn out great players.
I love, how it is Leafs fans getting salty over Laine. You guys are literally only bringing bad vibes into this thread. This is getting so out of hand. There is a Toronto Maple Leafs section, you know
I find it funny how it is only one fan base that is bashing Laine. You don't see Blue Jackets, Oilers, Sabres, saying anything negative about him. Jets aren't even in the same conference. You would think that having the choice to pick first would have make them happy, and they would go about their celebrating, but obviously they are worried about something.
AM is overrated. When the Leafs play him against the other first line centers in the league those guys will eat his lunch!!! What then?
See I can play that game too
He functions pretty well with no space at 7:51-7:55 here:
And at 3:02-3:06 here:
To be honest, I'm not even sure where the "he needs a ton of space" even stems from.
The absolute worst case scenario. What is being a sports fan, if you can't even mock and point fingers at other fans? No fun at all.
It is always kind of sobering, that considering the heighten emotions among fans, these kids actually seem to get along and appreciate each others and others' skills. For example Laine and Puljujärvi seem to get along and can live nicely with the fact that both think they should be 1OA. The fans in Finnish hockey forum Jatkoaika not so much.
The Winter Soldier
Registered User
- Apr 4, 2011
- 71,030
- 21,383
Why does he have to score 30 right out of the gate? Did Kane, Stamkos, Tavares, Seguin, Hall or Eichel score 30 out of the gate? Isn't it better to judge him when he peaks in 5 years time? Is this a case of setting yourself up so you can do just as you state? It sure looks like it to me.
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Henkka
Registered User
Wondering the same. Laine will always find his own space with his long reach.
That's the key attribute (reach, without losing any level of skill, like normally guys which huge reach and long sticks do) why I'm so sure him succeeding in NHL.
That's the thing why Teemu Pulkkinen isn't succeeding in NHL. Great goalscorer, but he is the guy who will need the space. Shot hands, short stick. No reach to protect the puck from long-reach defenders, or steal pucks from guys like Laine.
I don't like weak and circular logic and argumentsfrom popularity. "Hockey world would know. ..." is such a ridiculous argument. Hockey world does know, some people do think he is a better prospect than Ovechkin was. You're trying to argue that not enough people are calling for it so it can't happen. Realize how dumb that is?
Hey man, this post of mine has actually nothing to do with that post of yours but remember what we've said about Jokinen and Laine? I've been compiling a Laine WHC highlight video and came across this gem:
https://streamable.com/fh7n
Raging Bull
Present
Laine's a beauty. Matthews is a beauty. "You can't go wrong with either" never applied more. Can't we all just get along?
McMatthews
Registered User
Matthews and Laine are in a class of their own.
Puljujarvi is good but he's not Matthews/Laine good.
