Player Discussion Patrik Laine: Part 2 - Healthy Living Edition

[ReHabs]

He still looks way better than what Dach did earlier this year, give him time. We still need him unless we sign a stud winger for free at a good cap hit.

Laine’s a class or two above Dach, that’s undeniable.

But also Laine is definitely not in game shape. He’s hitting the wall right now which is about where you’d expect a player coming back out of shape to hit the wall. 20ish games.

This happens when you spend nearly two years not thinking about your professional needs as an athlete. I can imagine he does one big summer and comes in next year completely revitalized.

It’s a good thing for both parties that he has another year on his contract. Let’s see how he fares the rest of the season.

 

[Vapaatunnus]

Laine’s a class or two above Dach, that’s undeniable.

But also Laine is definitely not in game shape. He’s hitting the wall right now which is about where you’d expect a player coming back out of shape to hit the wall. 20ish games.

This happens when you spend nearly two years not thinking about your professional needs as an athlete. I can imagine he does one big summer and comes in next year completely revitalized.

It’s a good thing for both parties that he has another year on his contract. Let’s see how he fares the rest of the season.

Yes, after collision with Pare every game is a bonus this year. I think he still plays with knee support?

 

[HuGort]

Laine on pace to do about what I expected. Play about 50ish games this season, 25 goals, injury prone, bad defensively. I doubt I would re-sign him. A lot of redflags on 9 million a season. Injuries have took a toll on him. Then mental illness. Just too much there to risk huge contract.

 

[Pat Riot]

The guy has 18 points in 23 games after missing a year. Hes doesnt have his timing perfectly back yet but hes working on the ice. We should cut the guy some slack. Hes playing better than I expected after all the time away from hockey

 

[Vapaatunnus]

Kirby has 0,25 PPG on even strenght
Patrik 0.30 PPG on even strenght
Newhook has 0,22 PPG on even strength

So it is the whole line which should be complained

 

[tspaka]

I see many people criticize Laine's decision to pass to Dvorak on the 2-on-1. Having followed Laine a long time, it was actually very anticipated - Laine hasn't shot on 2-on-1 situations in years when he is carrying the puck!

This is interesting and even annoying little habit, as I think we all agree he'd be better off shooting the puck.

I started to list his 2-on-1s back in the days of Columbus. I lost early part of it because my phone changed but here's all 2-on-1s from Montreal when he is carrying the puck:


20th Dec vs Detrot (failed deke) - no goal
11th Jan vs Dallas (pass) - no goal
14th Jan vs Utah - (pass) - no goal
30th Jan vs Minnesota - (pass) - no goal

Btw, let me know when you saw the last time he tried to shoot on 2-on-1 when carrying the puck? I challenge that it's years away.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Another really bad game from him. I would expect his play to pick up after the deadline.

 

[bud12]

The guy has 18 points in 23 games after missing a year. Hes doesnt have his timing perfectly back yet but hes working on the ice. We should cut the guy some slack. Hes playing better than I expected after all the time away from hockey

The guy has 5pts at 5v5 in 23 games and only 1g. He's a one trick pony who had pure puck luck with a unsustainable shooting%.

 

[417]

If you haven't experienced what is to be a Habs fan.

Just read this thread from beginning to end.

- unbridled enthusiasm (trade announced)
- crushing loss (injury)
- defeatist conclusions (result of injury andcompeting for playoffs)
- cautious optimism (2–3-month injury timeframe announced)
- built up expectations (back from injury and scores immediately upon his return to the lineup)
- saviour narrative established (Laine keeps scoring at what is an obviously unsustainable pace)
- saviour narrative destroyed (unsustainable pace ends and realization that he's not a perfect player sets in)
- Laine tear down begins (he's a one trick pony, this is why Habs got him for nothing)

Can't wait to read the next chapter lol

 

[Pat Riot]

The guy has 5pts at 5v5 in 23 games and only 1g. He's a one trick pony who had pure puck luck with a unsustainable shooting%.

In 500 games in the NHL we know what kind of player Laine is. Hes an elite sniper, big body. Hes not the best 2 way player and never will be. I think when hes paired with Dach and Demidov next season he will produce at PPG pace. In his career so far he has almost the same numbers of assists as goals so hes not just a one trick pony.

I know the media push this new narrative that Laine play bad but IMO for a guy who misses that much hockey in the last seasons, hes playing better than I expected.

 

[V13]

If you haven't experienced what is to be a Habs fan.

Just read this thread from beginning to end.

- unbridled enthusiasm (trade announced)
- crushing loss (injury)
- defeatist conclusions (result of injury andcompeting for playoffs)
- cautious optimism (2–3-month injury timeframe announced)
- built up expectations (back from injury and scores immediately upon his return to the lineup)
- saviour narrative established (Laine keeps scoring at what is an obviously unsustainable pace)
- saviour narrative destroyed (unsustainable pace ends and realization that he's not a perfect player sets in)
- Laine tear down begins (he's a one trick pony, this is why Habs got him for nothing)

Can't wait to read the next chapter lol

 

[sampollock]

and the beat goes on