LW Patrik Laine - Tappara, Liiga (2016 Draft) VI

[kelsier]

He is not Kane or Gaudreau. He has really soft hands but i don't think he has even better hands than Barkov who has really quick and soft hands. But Laine is no slouch either. His play at WJC finals when he received pass from mid air deflected the puck between his legs without losing stride is one of the sickest plays i've seen in a while. That is some serious skill and puck control. I would say Matthews having similar hands than Barkov. Quick, can stickhandle in small spaces creating time and space for himself. Laine is superb at deking opponent but Matthews isn't much behind. I think Matthews has better set of hands than Laine. I think Laine is harder to contain with his reach, power, size and mentality to score and create offense. Matthews is better skater for sure but Laine has better top end speed. Laine at full speed is one dangerous player. He needs to work on his first steps. I Laine is most raw skater of the top 3. His improvement was outstanding from last year. Next year skating could be clear plus for him. Barkov did it so Laine can do it. Laine is way better skater than Barkov was at his draft year.

His hands are magic. I think it's a bit deceiving with that long stick. Laine sometimes distances himself with the puck especially when deking players, which may seem out like he's hands are not working that "fast". But he's often rather relying on the reach rather than the quickness. Anyway, tough to say. Maybe Barkov has an edge or maybe he doesn't. Still, can't remember ever seeing a prospect of this age and with this size who can just flatout go around anyone while actually succeeding almost everytime. Maybe that's where the Lemieux comparisons are originating (aside from them both having that lethal one timer)? Skating definately will never be an issue for him. Laine is already pretty fast, and he's just getting started with the speed and acceleration. You only have to look back from post injury up until today and see the immense improvent between that period of time alone. A couple of more off-seasons and he'll be flying, even if he'll never be quite as fast as Puljujärvi for example. He doesn't even have to, with that skillset.

Six points in two games. Who'd have ever guessed, even vs lesser competition. Pretty thrilled for today's game!

 

[QnebO]

http://www.mtv.fi/sport/mm2016/uuti...ne-kaventanut-eron-mm-sakenoinnillaan/5883496

There is video interview of Martin Biron. (full 5min english interview).

He confirms what I have said about Laine skating here many times: that it lacks strenght, not techniques. You can hear that starting at 2:28

So yes, I say again, skating is Laine's strenght. Explosiveness and strenght is lacking at this point.

Some matthews fans have thought: Top speed not World class now -> he can't skate. Which is amateurish conclusion, of course. Skating is much more than top speed.

When talking about Ovechkin comparasion:
"From skating perspective, he is a 200 pound man, he's not a 220 pound man, which he is going to be in the NHL, and I'm looking forward to see him at that point".
"He is going to get alot stornger down the road, and he's best is going to be little bit ahead."

Not sure if this pro is reading Finnish "homer" posts (IK he isn't but it's just stab) but he is definitely on the radar about Laine. Surprisingly good knowledge on north american hockey person on the european 2nd pick.

 

[Gsus]

http://www.mtv.fi/sport/mm2016/uuti...ne-kaventanut-eron-mm-sakenoinnillaan/5883496

There is video interview of Martin Biron. (full 5min english interview).

He confirms what I have said about Laine skating here many times: that it lacks strenght, not techniques. You can hear that starting at 2:28

That's actually Darren Dreger not Martin Biron. I was searching for Biron a while and then noticed that the article even says it's Biron. Thankfully the journalist who actually interviewed him knew who he was.

But being saying the same, Laine's skating is not bad but his explosiveness and first steps is average.

 

[Fogelhund]

He confirms what I have said about Laine skating here many times: that it lacks strenght, not techniques. You can hear that starting at 2:28

So yes, I say again, skating is Laine's strenght. Explosiveness and strenght is lacking at this point.

Some matthews fans have thought: Top speed not World class now -> he can't skate. Which is amateurish conclusion, of course. Skating is much more than top speed.

He's a big kid, perhaps still growing. It takes time for the body to build up strength, especially taller kids. It really shouldn't be a shock to anyone that a tall kid is going to take time to build that strength. Laine should be a star in the NHL.

 

[skillhockey]

He's a big kid, perhaps still growing. It takes time for the body to build up strength, especially taller kids. It really shouldn't be a shock to anyone that a tall kid is going to take time to build that strength. Laine should be a star in the NHL.

Yeah, Lemieux is 193, Laine 194, Hedman 198. Just reference how big he is and might still grow a bit. When he gets some more muscle, d-men are in big trouble.

 

[Mestaruus]

Can't wait for the game tonight. Finns use to overhype their prospects so much, but this time, i'm on the train

Some Leafs fan called me the conductor of Laine hype train . So welcome to the train.

 

[vaiski]

Laine will never be the most explosive skater but keep in mind that he has only had one healthy offseason with the huge body he has. There is a ton of potential to tap in the gym for him. He is the kind of player who might bomb the combine, but it would only be a good thing seeing how good he is raw. Puljujärvi on the other hand is physically very ready and might be one of the top guys in the combine, unless the late season injuries take the sharpest edge from him.

 

[QnebO]

That's actually Darren Dreger not Martin Biron. I was searching for Biron a while and then noticed that the article even says it's Biron. Thankfully the journalist who actually interviewed him knew who he was.

But being saying the same, Laine's skating is not bad but his explosiveness and first steps is average.

Ehm.. it seems to be Dreger, but why this is the last line before the video itself then?

– Syy miksi rakastan Patrik Lainetta on, koska hän on aina laukaisupaikassa, sanoi TSN:n jääkiekkoanalyytikko Martin Biron.

Typical MTV, say I (and blame them).

 

[theIceWookie]

Laine will never be the most explosive skater but keep in mind that he has only had one healthy offseason with the huge body he has. There is a ton of potential to tap in the gym for him. He is the kind of player who might bomb the combine, but it would only be a good thing seeing how good he is raw. Puljujärvi on the other hand is physically very ready and might be one of the top guys in the combine, unless the late season injuries take the sharpest edge from him.

I would say that Puljujarvi is the less developed physically of the two. He looks much more bambi like than Laine at this point. Laine looks more fully developed into his body

 

[Gsus]

Ehm.. it seems to be Dreger, but why this is the last line before the video itself then?

– Syy miksi rakastan Patrik Lainetta on, koska hän on aina laukaisupaikassa, sanoi TSN:n jääkiekkoanalyytikko Martin Biron.

Typical MTV, say I (and blame them).

They probably just did their own lottery with ping pong balls having TSN cast names in there. The first one out was Biron I guess

 

[QnebO]

I would say that Puljujarvi is the less developed physically of the two. He looks much more bambi like than Laine at this point. Laine looks more fully developed into his body

Based on what?

Not going against Pulju here, but I think Laine's physical side was commented alot in Liiga playoffs by professionals who had inside knowledge also. By "Tiku&Taku" if I recall right.

 

[Gsus]

Based on what?

I would say the same based on seen them both playing. Laine looks more NHL-ready and stronger. Pulju was many times on his knees in corners and can be easily thrown on his knees. At least more easily than Laine.

 

[kunekune]

Laine back squats ~140kg and benches ~115kg.

Most NHL players get higher numbers but he is already pretty strong.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

I would say that Puljujarvi is the less developed physically of the two. He looks much more bambi like than Laine at this point. Laine looks more fully developed into his body

I agree. Bambi is actually spot on

His athleticism is through the roof, but if you compare a guy like Chychrun to Pulju, their upper bodies are like night and day (and Chychrun is 6'2").

This is generally what i mean when i say Finnish prospects are always a bit behind in the strenght-department compared to NA guys. Our players train hard, but i feel like training in Finland is less gym and more different stuff which is completely fine.

It's not always the best option to go all out on bulking up in your teens. Let the kids play and enjoy themselves. Maybe our guys aren't as ready for the physical play of the NHL as NA prospects in their 1st year, but it'll all even out later.

 

[paragon]

30 might be tough because there will be a serious adjustment period. The NHL game is different and that counts for Matthews too.

I could see him hit 20 with good PP time and a fantastic 2nd half of the season.

I think it all depends on the team that drafts you and the coach you are playing for. For example I think William Nylander was good enough to play the whole season for Maple Leafs, but he was sent down to "develop". Some orgs, like Detroit, go to extreme lengths to keep good young talent at the farm, some to save money, others to postpone the players free agency eligibility. It's also the reason why I heavily dislike coaches like Babcock who goes out of his way to favor old veterans like Cleary.

I mean look at what Barry Melrose did with similar talent in Stamkos. Same thing could happen with Laine. For those that don't know Stamkos scored only 23 goals his rookie season, but he was scoring at a 50 goal pace for the last quarter of the season. His early season was just ruined by bad coaching.

That's why I want Laine to play for Winnipeg. I know Maurice isn't afraid to give responsibility to good young players. Jeff Skinner was playing for him 16 minutes right off the bat. He's not going to immediately bench and scratch you, if you happen to make a small mistake. None of that 8 minutes of ice time nonse that Melrose was pulling on Stamkos. That's why I believe Laine can score 30 goals, if he is drafted by the Jets.

 

[agent082]

Laine back squats ~140kg and benches ~115kg.

Most NHL players get higher numbers but he is already pretty strong.

115 kg is impressive for a guy his age, but he benched 115 kg already last summer so not much improvement. That squat tells that there is much room for developing his lover body.

 

[cotopaxi]

115 kg is impressive for a guy his age, but he benched 115 kg already last summer so not much improvement. That squat tells that there is much room for developing his lover body.

Of course there's a lot of room, this is a 18 year old we're talking about. Matthews is often praised for his strength but Laine is bigger and heavier than him already and I'm sure that weight isn't fat.

 

[paragon]

This is generally what i mean when i say Finnish prospects are always a bit behind in the strenght-department compared to NA guys. Our players train hard, but i feel like training in Finland is less gym and more different stuff which is completely fine.

I don't think that's entirely true. And I would even say strenght is overrated. If you look at the players who ace the strenght tests at Combine, very few of them are top prospects or players that have panned out. If you look at the results from Combine many of the NA top prospects have absolutely pathetic results. For instance Sam Bennett failed to do a single pull up, Mitch Marner had the worst hand grip strenght out of every prospect at Combine etc.

I think our guys are pretty fit, but just don't focus as much on strenght. It's funny that back in 2011, when they still did curl ups at Combine, 3 best prospect were from Finland.

Having said that, I think Laine is already one of the strongest prospects going to Combine. He bench pressed 115kg/255 pounds last summer, almost a year ago and I'm pretty sure he's stronger now. He's going to be doing reps at 170 pounds in the test, so I'm pretty sure he's going to ace it.

 

[agent082]

He bench pressed 115kg/255 pounds last summer, almost a year ago and I'm pretty sure he's stronger now. He's going to be doing reps at 170 pounds in the test, so I'm pretty sure he's going to ace it.

Read the thread. Kunekune said he bench press 115 kg. So it has stayed the same almost a year now.

 

[cotopaxi]

Read the thread. Kunekune said he bench press 115 kg. So it has stayed the same almost a year now.

How do you know Kunekune's information is not from a year ago?

 

[Hokinaittii]

How do you know Kunekune's information is not from a year ago?

It is from one year ago. Laine said he hasn't bench pressed in a while due to the shoulder injury he suffered early in the season. I think this was said after the WJC.

 

[agent082]

How do you know Kunekune's information is not from a year ago?

Why would he give year old information without clarification. Yeah maybe it could work with grown up men but with these kids so much happens in a year.

It is from one year ago. Laine said he hasn't bench pressed in a while due to the shoulder injury he suffered early in the season. I think this was said after the WJC.

Yes. He bench pressed 115 kg last summer. Doesn't mean Kunekune is using that interview.

 

[Brewsky]

115 kg is impressive for a guy his age, but he benched 115 kg already last summer so not much improvement. That squat tells that there is much room for developing his lover body.

Patrik "The Lover" Laine - we have a new nickname

 

[kunekune]

I'm not using interview as a source but rather what I've heard.

It is very hard to increase your strength levels during the season. Players go to gym during the season but it's more of keeping your current strength levels than adding strength.

Those numbers could be a little higher atm but massive strength(and weight) gains are done during summer when you can focus your energy to gym and don't have to save it for games.

 

[thomast]

Bench press/chest muscles are one of the most useless out there for hockey. I would not put too much stock in that. Lower body strength is much more important and balance is one of most underrated things in hockey. Ovechkin and Crosby have world class balance that is big reason why they are generational talents. Matthews and Laine both have great to elite balance for guys of their age. They beat men and NHL defencemen at boards at high rate. Both are really hard to knock off the puck. They can shoot and pass even when there is defenceman all over them.