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Patrik Laine’s falloff is wild

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He skates like he’s stuck in the mud. I think that knee injury is still bothering him and he may never fully recover.

He needs a play driving, playmaking centre to carry play for him. He could be an elite PP guy though and still score 30-40 in the right situation if not for his health.
 
I swear when you watch his WJC highlights, he skated faster and played with more pace than he ever has in the NHL.

But yeah, saw him in an amusement park in like 3 weeks before training camp before the 19-20 season, and let's just say he did not look like a professional athlete getting ready to play hockey. Wasn't surprised when his season went the way it did.

Ever since then it's been a roller coaster. He got into a better shape but stopped scoring goals on the PP, then the trade, injuries and drama.

Next season will be very telling where things go. Healthy summer, contract year, play with team from camp. If he doesn't have his best season in years then he'll forever be a PP specialist.
 
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I don't understand how people are surprised about his game. CBJ traded a 2nd with him to take his contract. Laine always have been a dangerous offensive player but lack efforts and is not engaged defensively, I remember being excited about his goals streak but knew he would comeback to earth eventually. He is a cap dump with a shot that's it.
 
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Bender Duster said:
I don’t think those were Jets fans. Those posters are now over on the Habs boards complaining that he deserves better line mates and more ice time.

Let the record show that Jets fans are all knowledgeable, respected, good looking, pillars of the HF community.
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You're correct, it mostly wasn't Jets fans, it was HF Finland.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nobody homers like HF Finland.
 
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He's slow, like truly unimaginably at times, and seemingly lazy but is probably a top 3-5 powerplay weapon in the league. I'm still more than fine with the trade, he brings excitement and hopefully he plays with Demidov next year and has his value pumped
 
Not exactly sure what he was supposed to do in Columbus and Montreal. These are two bottom-of-the-barrel teams
 
Honestly you could tell there was something wrong with him when he sniped it into his own net as a rookie. Mistakes happen but not that one
 
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He is this generation Alex Kovalev.

Not the same type player. But the same aura. Lazy prima dona type of player.

All the tools. No desire.
 
Breakers said:
the hype from that gold winning World Junior squad needs to be studied


Absolutely insane hype
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sort of funny though, the highly thought of draft year Finnish kids were all disappointments to outright busts. But, some of the already drafted kids exceeded expectations in Rantanen (who had what was viewed as a disappointing tournament) and Aho (played unreal).

But, it's why people should never go too crazy over a short tournament mid-season when it comes to projections. Some of the Canadians who disappointed that tournament have turned into legitimate stars and contributed at 4 Nations (Marner and Point). USA had 4 guys who were in important roles for 4 nations (Matthews, McAvoy, M. Tkachuk and Werenski).
 
Uncle Scrooge said:
I swear when you watch his WJC highlights, he skated faster and played with more pace than he ever has in the NHL.

But yeah, saw him in an amusement park in like 3 weeks before training camp before the 19-20 season, and let's just say he did not look like a professional athlete getting ready to play hockey. Wasn't surprised when his season went the way it did.

Ever since then it's been a roller coaster. He got into a better shape but stopped scoring goals on the PP, then the trade, injuries and drama.

Next season will be very telling where things go. Healthy summer, contract year, play with team from camp. If he doesn't have his best season in years then he'll forever be a PP specialist.
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that first sentence…. I mean, he was also 8 years younger and 4 knee surgeries ago.
 
Mobiandi said:
Not exactly sure what he was supposed to do in Columbus and Montreal. These are two bottom-of-the-barrel teams
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He could give a shit, that's what he could do. People will forgive almost anything if someone clearly gives 100% effort and tries his best.

No one likes an arrogant crybaby that throws everyone else under the bus while acting like he's the best thing since sliced bread.
 
winnipegger said:
My personal take is that he was never the same after the Mccabe hit. His rookie season was magical. He would walk through defenders, score from distance, and handle the puck with confidence. It pretty much ended with that hit.
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That's a great point, people frequently dismiss certain players as lazy and not trying while not paying attention to their injuries (that could potentially limit their expolsiveness, mobility, drive to play aggressively and so on).

And let's be reality, being a 6'5, somewhat alien looking NHL player doesn't necessarily mean Laine being mentally robust and tough. Do we look for those attributes in pro athletes? Absolutely, but that's why many goal scorers are so streaky: when their confidence is sky high, they look like they have an unstoppable God mode; but when their confidence hits an all-time low, they are next to useless.

Whatever. In several years, we will divide Laine's entire career in two parts. Before Demidov and Demidov Era.
 
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