Laine’s usage and the amount of ice time he gets, partly due to his contract and his own personal opinions on what he’s deserved, is the main aspect and reason that he is a “cap dump” and a negative asset to an NHL hockey team.
How does Laine handle other younger -BETTER- players getting ice time and opportunities over him?? The CBJ team is a better hockey team by simply giving Yegor Chinakhov every minute/opportunity and SHOT, that Laine has been given, and taken the last few years.
Both of the current CBJ or MTL teams are bad teams for Laine. He would only flourish on a team already established and built properly and with extreme depth, just needing an extra scoring boost, that could withstand the negative aspects he brings to the ice and locker room. Problem is that his cap hit makes him impossible to fit on any of these teams. How will/would Laine handle being on the 2nd line/PP unit, even if that’s where he deserves to be? He’s closer to a 3rd line player than he is a 1st line player, IMO.
Ok, hypothetical situation, I know, let’s just say Laine doesn’t play good to start the year and Montreal is losing games and Laine comes out with some questionable comments to Montreal media??
Like, you guys understand this isn’t fantasy hockey right?? It’s much more complex and nuanced than just looking at the points, as if it’s either simply an added 30-40 goals, and/or without them there’s no possible negative impact on the team, or other players.
I’ve literally had to battle with a huge CBJ fan contingent the last few years who looked at things the same way, BLINDED by Laine’s admittedly good shot and overall the concept of “skill”, while at the same time being completely NAIVE to the negativity he can, and what has now been proven, HE WAS BRINGING to the CBJ locker room.
$8.7 million dollar headache.
Chinakhov with more goals this year, and every year moving forward.