My biggest worry about Laine isn't attitude or style of play. It's his ability to stay healthy.
A legitimate concern….
As for mental health, we may see Montreal'spressure cooker as a negative but I believe it will be the opposite.
First, we gave up a defenseman who in my opinion was behind Guhle, Matheson, Xhekaj, and Struble….so no we gave up Sergachev pressure…plus we got a 2nd rounder so everything velvet there.
Insulated….he’s gonna be playing behind Suzy, Cauf, Slaf and Dach. Plus all eyes will be on Slaf, and Hutson this year, and when Demidov and Reinbacher and Mailloux make the club, pfff….lots of new toys to talk about which will leave Laine to do his thing.
Montreal….poor guy man, living in Winnipeg is not for everybody and I know this because I’ve lived in Manitoba for a few years. Columbus is not a horrible place but maybe not a place for a European. Montreal and its European flavour should make him feel right at home! And I know that our amazing fans will love and applaud him.
Montreal is his mulligan, let’s hope he embraces it and becomes the player he was.