Player Discussion Patrik Laine: Part 2 - Healthy Living Edition

[Kiekura]

Laine is so interesting to me. I never got to watch him play much before we got him, only the highlights (which was mainly his lethal accurate one timer).

Was he this slow prior to the last 2 years of injuries and missed time?
He still covers a lot of ice with his gigantic lanky frame and extra long stick, puck handling etc. but it seems like he is painfully slow skating, and I can’t tell if that’s something we should be worried about or if it’s always been like this. For people that have seen him frequently prior to the injuries and time off, has he a lost a step skating wise? It feels like it’s holding him back from being that star forward at 5 on 5 play.

Regardless, he’s been the the highlight of the year for me (Hutson close second, but I already knew he was going to be good for us. Didn’t think we’d ever land a star like Laine)

That has always been his problem. Barkov had same problem, but the just trained himself out of it.

Also his skating looks slower than he actually is, because he is so big and his skating style is weird. He looks awkward.

 

[VT]

Well they just had a struggle to fill the center position, they even tried to play Laine as a center. At that point you pretty much knew he was done over there.

But it was really Dubois who forced their hand, Dubois was supposed to be Columbus's future top center, but he wanted out. And Laine was about the only guy available at the time who was regarded as having similar value.

Where Columbus's GM failed is by not increasing their depth at the center position after acquiring Laine, he even brought in Gaudreau, another winger. The current GM seems to have done a much better job of actually bringing in the right guys for the right roles.

How would you explain to people that you refused to sign Gaudreau, who had expressed himself to come? Besides, it was a top marketing move for other players as well.

The funny thing is that the only top 6 player,engines came is Monahan and he would have come even if Kekäläinen was here.


Waddell have done them but the most important things. He brought in Evason (it was super lucky he was free) and started working with the players on a winning culture mentally as well. Laine was right when he said his words. But I think he said it terribly.

Laine himself asked Vincent,mci could not play center, he gave him a chance. In the 2022/23 season he offered,as the centre got injured. The trial was successful. I dare say if not for the concussion he would have been a great center, he played well for us at 5v5, defense and playing without the puck very well. He also moved his feet more that way.

 

[nippanappa]

Laine is so interesting to me. I never got to watch him play much before we got him, only the highlights (which was mainly his lethal accurate one timer).

Was he this slow prior to the last 2 years of injuries and missed time?
He still covers a lot of ice with his gigantic lanky frame and extra long stick, puck handling etc. but it seems like he is painfully slow skating, and I can’t tell if that’s something we should be worried about or if it’s always been like this. For people that have seen him frequently prior to the injuries and time off, has he a lost a step skating wise? It feels like it’s holding him back from being that star forward at 5 on 5 play.

Regardless, he’s been the the highlight of the year for me (Hutson close second, but I already knew he was going to be good for us. Didn’t think we’d ever land a star like Laine)

He's always had issues with acceleration and agility, but he's definitely slower / clunkier this year after the long break.

I was taking a look at some of his early career games from Winnipeg and from time to time, he had more "step" on his game which he seems to lack recently. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he'll ever be able to drive plays but we should be able to expect more.

His glide and deke combo however is extremely frustrating to see and something that's been there many years now. It has very little success rate and he'd be better off firing the puck every chance he gets imo.

 

[Habssince89]

Laine's skating will keep improving, he hasn't even played 20 games yet since the injury. He's slowly picking up the pace IMO

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Well.... that was silly.

Why trade for a Laine, if you're not going to let him Laine.

Why did Therrien try to turn Galchenyuk into Brandon Prust? Why did he want Subban to dump and chase?

A lot of coaches try to turn players into something they’re not.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We were so star deprived for so long that acquiring him even if we overpaid and rolled the dice made sense. He fit our rebuild timeline and we had the cap space. Laine was still a PPG player minus his last season in Columbus. I thought he was a great fit for us.

I remember reading an article during the summer before we acquired him about Barkov saying he was ready for a huge comeback. These types of players with game breaking talent more often than not figure out a way to succeed.

There’s no doubting his talent. He has an all world shot. But the mental and physical health was in question. And there was a sense we didn’t really need to add him. We have young talent coming up as well. We weren’t in a desperate situation and Columbus needed to move him. Hence the bargain price.

I’d have liked to have seen him before the injury. At 5 on 5 he looks like a guy trying to find his game right now. On the PP it’s basically cheat code goals. It’s insane how he keeps scoring from that one spot.

He’s a one trick pony at the moment but that one trick is the most valuable thing you can contribute: goals.

One other point: we absolutely have been star deprived, especially up front. But that’s no longer the case. Especially with Demidov coming this club has scoring power like it hasn’t had in decades.

 

[Archijerej]

I think the 2nd line is finally starting to look like a proper line. Before it was mostly individual bursts.

 

[waitin425]

There’s no doubting his talent. He has an all world shot. But the mental and physical health was in question. And there was a sense we didn’t really need to add him. We have young talent coming up as well. We weren’t in a desperate situation and Columbus needed to move him. Hence the bargain price.

I’d have liked to have seen him before the injury. At 5 on 5 he looks like a guy trying to find his game right now. On the PP it’s basically cheat code goals. It’s insane how he keeps scoring from that one spot.

He’s a one trick pony at the moment but that one trick is the most valuable thing you can contribute: goals.

One other point: we absolutely have been star deprived, especially up front. But that’s no longer the case. Especially with Demidov coming this club has scoring power like it hasn’t had in decades.

Laine is like a DH in baseball who hits dingers. I would never want to break the bank on him. But as long as he is scoring at this pace, he is an absolute must to have on the team. Going to be interesting this summer and into next year what kind of deal we work out with him.

 

[mattihp]

He's always had issues with acceleration and agility, but he's definitely slower / clunkier this year after the long break.

I was taking a look at some of his early career games from Winnipeg and from time to time, he had more "step" on his game which he seems to lack recently. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he'll ever be able to drive plays but we should be able to expect more.

His glide and deke combo however is extremely frustrating to see and something that's been there many years now. It has very little success rate and he'd be better off firing the puck every chance he gets imo.

He works with really good skating coaches, but needs to work with one who specialises in taller players. He skates like a short guy, except with a long stride. Will result in back injuries.

 

[le_sean]

I think the 2nd line is finally starting to look like a proper line. Before it was mostly individual bursts.

There’s still one weak link. Demidov will work a lot better with other skilled players, his understanding of the game and his vision will be a huge asset. Newhook needs to be on a line with other simple, North-south players. He’s made for a 3rd line that can chip in.

 

[BullLund]

How would you explain to people that you refused to sign Gaudreau, who had expressed himself to come? Besides, it was a top marketing move for other players as well.

The funny thing is that the only top 6 player,engines came is Monahan and he would have come even if Kekäläinen was here.


Waddell have done them but the most important things. He brought in Evason (it was super lucky he was free) and started working with the players on a winning culture mentally as well. Laine was right when he said his words. But I think he said it terribly.

Laine himself asked Vincent,mci could not play center, he gave him a chance. In the 2022/23 season he offered,as the centre got injured. The trial was successful. I dare say if not for the concussion he would have been a great center, he played well for us at 5v5, defense and playing without the puck very well. He also moved his feet more that way.

Bringing in Gaudreau and Laine wasn't a horrible move in itself, but he had no plan for filling the C position. So you have two prominent wingers, who both prefer to play on the left side, but no one to really center them apart from Boone Jenner. He started building the team from the wrong end imo, but it was Dubois who put him in that position.

Sure, Laine at C was passable, but if you want him to be the 40+ goal scorer that he can be, you have to let him play at his comfort position, surrounded by players who can feed him. I don't think he would've made that suggestion if not for the blatantly obvious fact that Columbus lacked depth at center. He tried to fill-in for the role and worked hard in order to make it happen, but again it's just an uphill battle. He was always in a state of trying to transform his game in order to fit the team's needs because he wasn't the right guy that they needed in the first place.

 

[Saundies]

Laine's skating will keep improving, he hasn't even played 20 games yet since the injury. He's slowly picking up the pace IMO

This is the right take.

He was off most of last year, so you already lose a step just because of that. Then he gets injured in training camp, the time when players get their game-speed back (and the injury was to his knee). This means, even when you're recovering, you can't really move your lower half.

Then you get thrown into the fire that is the thick of the NHL season and yeah, he's going to be slow. I don't think he'll ever be fast but I do think he can at least make his way back to average if he stays healthy this season and has a good offseason of leg workouts.

With his shot, average is all you need. 39 year old Ovi is still scoring goals.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Worst case scenario he can score PP goals like basically no one else in the world. While he still is finding his game at 5 on 5, I get the impression that he has so much more to give. He's not just a shot and a pair of hands, the guy sees the game very well.

 

[Theodore450]

Dead contracts don’t score at a 40g pace

It’s extremely patronizing to cbj fans to paint this as win win

Its horrible asset management, horrible leadership, horrible culture that caused this

This isn’t Calgary making room for kadri
This is a star player that columbus couldn’t make a spot for

Players that dont want ot play for your team dont score 40G
We can take it a step further and point out the real FACT, that he never scored 40 for Columbus.

Your downright lying to yourself if you think Columbus isnt happu to be out of that contract, considering they literally signed Mony who is scoring a PPG pace.

He was not a star on Columbus, he was a player whp wanted out and would have a 8m dead cap for 2 years. They got out of it without giving anything of note and are now a better team while still following through with their rebuild.

We love this trade and would do it again, but so would Columbus. Your angered opinion doesnt make it less true.

Laine is so interesting to me. I never got to watch him play much before we got him, only the highlights (which was mainly his lethal accurate one timer).

Was he this slow prior to the last 2 years of injuries and missed time?
He still covers a lot of ice with his gigantic lanky frame and extra long stick, puck handling etc. but it seems like he is painfully slow skating, and I can’t tell if that’s something we should be worried about or if it’s always been like this. For people that have seen him frequently prior to the injuries and time off, has he a lost a step skating wise? It feels like it’s holding him back from being that star forward at 5 on 5 play.

Regardless, he’s been the the highlight of the year for me (Hutson close second, but I already knew he was going to be good for us. Didn’t think we’d ever land a star like Laine)

Thats his main speed, ive followed him for years. (fantasy hockey failure) Its the same speed that got him injured in the preseason.

 

[Hins77]

Laine is so interesting to me. I never got to watch him play much before we got him, only the highlights (which was mainly his lethal accurate one timer).

Was he this slow prior to the last 2 years of injuries and missed time?
He still covers a lot of ice with his gigantic lanky frame and extra long stick, puck handling etc. but it seems like he is painfully slow skating, and I can’t tell if that’s something we should be worried about or if it’s always been like this. For people that have seen him frequently prior to the injuries and time off, has he a lost a step skating wise? It feels like it’s holding him back from being that star forward at 5 on 5 play.

Regardless, he’s been the the highlight of the year for me (Hutson close second, but I already knew he was going to be good for us. Didn’t think we’d ever land a star like Laine)

My friend lives in Winnipeg and follow the jets as we follow the canadians. He told my that Laine never was a fast skater. It's not because of injury or something else, he is slow, but he has maybe the best shot after ovechkin and Matthews. He is like 12 goals in 18 games. This is huge

 

[Mulletman]

Laine is so interesting to me. I never got to watch him play much before we got him, only the highlights (which was mainly his lethal accurate one timer).

Was he this slow prior to the last 2 years of injuries and missed time?
He still covers a lot of ice with his gigantic lanky frame and extra long stick, puck handling etc. but it seems like he is painfully slow skating, and I can’t tell if that’s something we should be worried about or if it’s always been like this. For people that have seen him frequently prior to the injuries and time off, has he a lost a step skating wise? It feels like it’s holding him back from being that star forward at 5 on 5 play.

Regardless, he’s been the the highlight of the year for me (Hutson close second, but I already knew he was going to be good for us. Didn’t think we’d ever land a star like Laine)

Yes Laine has always been a terrible skater. He's really slow to get up to speed but his top speed isn't that bad. The problem with Laine is that in order to get the most out of him you need strong booking. The only thing the Canadiens have done right with Laine so far is the powerplay. But the powerplay is the most important part to get right. Laine plays better with confidence and scoring on the powerplay will boost his confidence.

But he needs better linemates and more icetime. You can't play him with 2 jobbers. Suzuki is the best center on the Canadiens so the starting point should be that he plays with Laine as he's got the best playmaking ability out of the forwards. Hutson is the best offensive defenseman so he should also always play with Laine. The two other players on that line can be tampered with to find the right mix. Maybe someone that can cover for Laine defensively so he's allowed to play to his strenghts by floating and cherry picking. And what the hell was that overtime thing? Yes Laine scored but he was on the ice with a AHL defenseman and a weak 3rd liner. If Laine played for my Leafs it would've been him with Matthews and Marner on the ice for overtime. Canadiens should've had him out there with Suzuki and Hutson.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Players that dont want ot play for your team dont score 40G
We can take it a step further and point out the real FACT, that he never scored 40 for Columbus.

Your downright lying to yourself if you think Columbus isnt happu to be out of that contract, considering they literally signed Mony who is scoring a PPG pace.

He was not a star on Columbus, he was a player whp wanted out and would have a 8m dead cap for 2 years. They got out of it without giving anything of note and are now a better team while still following through with their rebuild.

We love this trade and would do it again, but so would Columbus. Your angered opinion doesnt make it less true.

Why on earth would you think that I'm angered about your opinion that this is a win win? If you posted that opinion to the main boards you'd probably get an infraction for trolling. Its absurd.

Columbus managed to turn a 3rd overall pick into a 2nd overall pick into Jordan freaking Harris and paid a second round pick to do so. Its a colossal failure in asset management on their part.

Monahan was signed well before this trade and the Jackets had enough cap space to keep Laine, even before the passing of JG, and didn't make use of it after he was traded so that makes no sense.

 

[HHel]

My friend lives in Winnipeg and follow the jets as we follow the canadians. He told my that Laine never was a fast skater. It's not because of injury or something else, he is slow, but he has maybe the best shot after ovechkin and Matthews. He is like 12 goals in 18 games. This is huge

This is a common perception of Laine's skating. Which is completely wrong. Laine is not slow, the problem is that his first steps are slow, but after that he moves at speed. The OT goal is a good example of that.

I think he has better shot that Ovi. Ovi has always been volume shooter.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Yes Laine has always been a terrible skater. He's really slow to get up to speed but his top speed isn't that bad. The problem with Laine is that in order to get the most out of him you need strong booking. The only thing the Canadiens have done right with Laine so far is the powerplay. But the powerplay is the most important part to get right. Laine plays better with confidence and scoring on the powerplay will boost his confidence.

But he needs better linemates and more icetime. You can't play him with 2 jobbers. Suzuki is the best center on the Canadiens so the starting point should be that he plays with Laine as he's got the best playmaking ability out of the forwards. Hutson is the best offensive defenseman so he should also always play with Laine. The two other players on that line can be tampered with to find the right mix. Maybe someone that can cover for Laine defensively so he's allowed to play to his strenghts by floating and cherry picking. And what the hell was that overtime thing? Yes Laine scored but he was on the ice with a AHL defenseman and a weak 3rd liner. If Laine played for my Leafs it would've been him with Matthews and Marner on the ice for overtime. Canadiens should've had him out there with Suzuki and Hutson.

Gtfo

 

[Theodore450]

Why on earth would you think that I'm angered about your opinion that this is a win win? If you posted that opinion to the main boards you'd probably get an infraction for trolling. Its absurd.

Columbus managed to turn a 3rd overall pick into a 2nd overall pick into Jordan freaking Harris and paid a second round pick to do so. Its a colossal failure in asset management on their part.

Monahan was signed well before this trade and the Jackets had enough cap space to keep Laine, even before the passing of JG, and didn't make use of it after he was traded so that makes no sense.

Seems we are having issues grasping the situation lets see if we can find something we both agree on.

Did Laine ask for a trade Yes or No?
Is Columbus doing better or worse without him?
Was Laine AT THE TIME worth a 2nd or even 3rd overall pick ?
Does value fluctuate Yes or No?


Bonus round to point out the contradictions.
Was it a colossus failure to let go of a former 3rd overall pick go for nothing and watch him go PPG?
AKA Drouin

 

[Keduzin]

My friend lives in Winnipeg and follow the jets as we follow the canadians. He told my that Laine never was a fast skater. It's not because of injury or something else, he is slow, but he has maybe the best shot after ovechkin and Matthews. He is like 12 goals in 18 games. This is huge

Maybe your friend should either buy a pair of glasses or actually watch the game. Laine is not a terrible skater but he is at the moment far from his topspeed. Hope he finds his legs soon again

 

[Frank Drebin]

Seems we are having issues grasping the situation lets see if we can find something we both agree on.

Did Laine ask for a trade Yes or No?
Is Columbus doing better or worse without him?
Was Laine AT THE TIME worth a 2nd or even 3rd overall pick ?
Does value fluctuate Yes or No?


Bonus round to point out the contradictions.
Was it a colossus failure to let go of a former 3rd overall pick go for nothing and watch him go PPG?
AKA Drouin

I'm not going to discuss this anymore. Go congratulate CBJ fans on the win win trade.

 

[Theodore450]

I'm not going to discuss this anymore. Go congratulate CBJ fans on the win win trade.

I'm sad we couldn't find common ground.
I doubt they care about Laine.

Dont be angry that their happy for themselves .
Just be happy it worked out for our team

 

[waitin425]

To the point of putting Laine with Suzuki.

I'd be willing to try it next year. But it would require moving Caufield down to spread out our snipers. I'd also move Slaf down to keep him with Cole.

Laine - Suzuki - Demidov
Slaf - Dach - Caufield

That could be pretty deadly if you ask me.

Either way....I pair Slaf with Caufield and Laine with Demi next year.

 

[DAChampion]

I'm not going to discuss this anymore. Go congratulate CBJ fans on the win win trade.

It is sad that Hughes offered the best package leaguewide for Laine. That shows how tight cap space is, and how the Jackets underutilized Laine.

When Nashville wanted to get rid of a declining Subban without retaining, and when Edmonton wanted to get rid of a declining Hall because made a bad joke without retaining, they still got back more than the Jackets got back.