Player Discussion Patrik Laine: Part 2 - Healthy Living Edition

[Trabdy2]

Laine's effectiveness at even strength is very limited, effectively to what he can do when he has the puck. He had a couple of good carrying sequences last night, but not much else to speak of. Overall we're going to need to find a way to help him build more dimensions in his game if we see him as a player who is going to contribute next year and long term (if we re-sign him).

 

[Guy Larose]

Lost erection after one weekend (if we compare duration of honeymoon to duration of season, and if we consider erection in ice-hockey context to be "playing as well as one should").

And again I point out that I am one of the biggest Laine fans, but the current state of his play is like being slapped in the face with a whale penis.

Been slapped in the face with one have you? Please tell us how that feels

 

[RC51]

Laine was brought in to MTL with open arms. A perfect place to rehab his reputation. Laine must try hard every game because of his contract. Just play as hard as you can and see just what you can still do. If it turns out you can't or won't keep up with the Habs overall speed then Lanie must accept his value has gone down,
He might still be worth 5-6 mil per to a team as a PP expert only. If Lanie still demands 8.5-10 mil per for his next contract he wont get it and his mental health will take a big hit again ( not good ) The KEY is to try hard every game and let the chips fall where they may. Play your best honest game every game and NOBODY is mad at you.

 

[badfish]

The teams identity is supposedly built on playing fast and hockey IQ. The playing fast isn't skating fast, it's making fast decisions with and without the puck. I haven't saw that yet from PL. He clearly has some world class attributes but if he doesn't fit the vision for what the team is trying to play as is it realistic that he will stick around regardless of salary?

 

[DAChampion]

The teams identity is supposedly built on playing fast and hockey IQ. The playing fast isn't skating fast, it's making fast decisions with and without the puck. I haven't saw that yet from PL. He clearly has some world class attributes but if he doesn't fit the vision for what the team is trying to play as is it realistic that he will stick around regardless of salary?

Remember what a fail it was when the team lost Radulov and Markov?

A vision can't be ironclad as you have to build a team with the players available. The only thing that should matter with Laine is if he's good enough to improve the team. They have another year to figure that out.