Ovechkin vs Laine comparison.

[Midnight Judges]

Are you saying you think Laine has a better one-timer than Ovie?

Yeah I had to do a double take as well.

This is crazy talk.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Is that news to you?

Their shot percentages are far apart and so is their average scoring distance. Both in Laines favor. Laines shooting across the board is better... harder, more accurate...doesn't matter if it's wrist or slap.

Ovechkin shoots a lot more, that's not a shot quality metric.

Have you seen all Laines goals?

You might be right on wrist shot, but not one timer or slapper. Ovie's is both harder and more accurate.

 

[Tavares to Marner]

Laine is also on the 2nd/3rd line being heavily sheltered which Ovechkin has never had the luxury of

 

[Carlzner]

The most impressive part that hasn’t been mentioned is that Ovechkin was a giant partyer in his downtime while Laine just plays Fortnite. Got 2 say it was truly inspirational to see Ovi dominate the league and the dc bar scene simultaneously

 

[grieves]

I would be extremely surprised if any of Ovie's shot types would be better than Laines. At least in terms of xGoals (expected goals) it is clearly visible who has the absolute best shot in the league. However, I don't know how the distribution goes, but if one shot type is better, that means the others would have to be significantly worse. And I think Ovie is overall a great shooter so I doubt that is the case.

I'm sure we can agree that it wasn't Laine's physical dominance or blazing speed that allowed him to be on pace for 40 goals in his 18yo season and 44 in 19. It was his out-of-this-world shot. Now we are just waiting to see what Laine can do when he actually begins to a have a physical presence and some speed.

 

[Devil Dancer]

The most impressive part that hasn’t been mentioned is that Ovechkin was a giant partyer in his downtime while Laine just plays Fortnite. Got 2 say it was truly inspirational to see Ovi dominate the league and the dc bar scene simultaneously

FWIW, the people I knew in that scene when Ovie first came around all swore he didn't drink the night before a game.

 

[RageQuit77]

^
^ As he has stated himself OV was his great idol. Watched games and vids, and all. He followed the example. Cultivating the art.

You don't have to assault like OV does, if you can beat elite goalies from the perimeter clean and tidy.

Systematical misunderstanding prevails in this thread, and It will prevail when situation is 500-800+ for OV.

Systematical top goal-scorers tends to take and are able to take lessons in the art from their peers, especially from those who they play against.

 

[Alf the dwarf]

"If all goes right." Let's hear the laundry list of grievances (again) that are preventing Laine' ascent to greatness.

Well in my mind he's going to be great player but that doesn't mean you have to think the same.

 

[AvroArrow]

This thread is basically the OP vs The rest of HF.

 

[Alf the dwarf]

Yeah I had to do a double take as well.

This is crazy talk.

Well yes he has better one-timer, that's not news. The kid bombed few times from blue line without mask in front of goal aswell, not only from o-zone circle. According to Lundqvist he has best shot that is ever seen in NHL.

 

[Alf the dwarf]

Where Patrik Laine fits in among the NHL's goal scoring elite - Sportsnet.ca

 

[third man in]

I doubt Laine will top Ovies rookie #s next year. Which will be his 3rd in the league.

 

[TwoPiece]

I don't understand why people want to use Ovechkin's SOG volume as a handicap. Everyone in the league knows how dangerous this guy is, every coach and every player is looking to eliminate his shot, and he still gets 5+ a game (on average). It's a talent in and of itself.

I also don't understand using Laine's TOI/matchup for him. You think that he's going to magically be a better player when he's lining up against better defensemen..? Coaches (most) tend to know what they're doing when assessing deployment.

IMO there isn't a single thing that Laine does better than Ovechkin right now (or at the same age).

 

[AD1066]

I don't understand why people want to use Ovechkin's SOG volume as a handicap. Everyone in the league knows how dangerous this guy is, every coach and every player is looking to eliminate his shot, and he still gets 5+ a game (on average). It's a talent in and of itself.

I also don't understand using Laine's TOI/matchup for him. You think that he's going to magically be a better player when he's lining up against better defensemen..? Coaches (most) tend to know what they're doing when assessing deployment.

IMO there isn't a single thing that Laine does better than Ovechkin right now (or at the same age).

It's also unreasonable to assume that Laine's SH% would or could remain constant with increased shot volume. I have no doubt that Laine has one of the very best shots in the world, but the gap between his and Ovechkin's SH% isn't indicative of a gap between the shooting ability of the two, because SH% is a function of play style as much as it is ability. Alex Tanguay had an extremely high career SH% (~19% IIRC), but no one would ever call him a sniper.

 

[Psych0dad]

You might be right on wrist shot, but not one timer or slapper. Ovie's is both harder and more accurate.

Right, because that's a matter of opinion eh? Ovechkins shot accuracy is around 12%. Laine is around 18%. Laines averahe scoring distance is further from net than Ovechkin.

 

[TwoPiece]

It's also unreasonable to assume that Laine's SH% would or could remain constant with increased shot volume. I have no doubt that Laine has one of the very best shots in the world, but the gap between his and Ovechkin's SH% isn't indicative of a gap between the shooting ability of the two, because SH% is a function of play style as much as it is ability. Alex Tanguay had an extremely high career SH% (~19% IIRC), but no one would ever call him a sniper.

I agree.

 

[Psych0dad]

Laine is also on the 2nd/3rd line being heavily sheltered which Ovechkin has never had the luxury of

Laime faces about the same quality of competition as the first line does. There's a stat for that as well.

See, Maurice can only decide who he plays against in home games, in away games teams can pick who plays against Laine.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Well in my mind he's going to be great player but that doesn't mean you have to think the same.

Laine is a great player. I don't however think he is better than Ovechkin (now or ever).

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Laime faces about the same quality of competition as the first line does. There's a stat for that as well.

See, Maurice can only decide who he plays against in home games, in away games teams can pick who plays against Laine.

Freudian slip on the name? I like it and it fits. Lol.

 

[Psych0dad]

Freudian slip on the name? I like it and it fits. Lol.

Autocorrect.

And that tells me all I need to know about your views.

 

[Battle Lin]

it was sid and ovy for awhile, best C and best winger

now mcdavid is just so close to crosby, but i dont think laine is that close to ovy

 

[SkinsFan09]

Right, because that's a matter of opinion eh? Ovechkins shot accuracy is around 12%. Laine is around 18%. Laines averahe scoring distance is further from net than Ovechkin.

And? Kovalchuk's was too but if I need someone to net a hat trick tomorrow night, I'm taking #8 over anyone who has played since #66.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

I doubt Laine will top Ovies rookie #s next year. Which will be his 3rd in the league.

If Laine gets 52, comparisons aren't gonna end any time soon.

 

[Sam Spade]

I don't understand why people want to use Ovechkin's SOG volume as a handicap. Everyone in the league knows how dangerous this guy is, every coach and every player is looking to eliminate his shot, and he still gets 5+ a game (on average). It's a talent in and of itself.

I also don't understand using Laine's TOI/matchup for him. You think that he's going to magically be a better player when he's lining up against better defensemen..? Coaches (most) tend to know what they're doing when assessing deployment.

IMO there isn't a single thing that Laine does better than Ovechkin right now (or at the same age).

Agreed on both bolded points. Doesn't matter one bit if Ovechkin gets a 1000 shots, if he scores more goals then he scores more goals. p.s. It is hard to get a shot on goal in today's NHL.

Second point was valid as well, which is why Laine was shut down come playoff time. He will get better/smarter of course but this playoffs he wasn't much of a factor.

 

[Psych0dad]

And? Kovalchuk's was too but if I need someone to net a hat trick tomorrow night, I'm taking #8 over anyone who has played since #66.

That's alright, opinions change slowly.

With the same icetime and opportunity I would definitely pick Laine for the hatty. He is a far more effective shooter and only getting better where as Ovechkin isn't getting any better.

Laine scored 44 goals with TOI that nobody has ever scored 40 in.

He's clearly the player you should expect to score the most with equal usage.

Laine has only been in the league for 2 seasons, Ovechkin has been there for like 14. Most have only seen some highlights of Laine on TSN for two seasons but grown up to hockey with Ovechkin always in the league. That skews the view quite a bit.

Stats will tell you though that Laine is more efficient with his icetime.