Player Discussion Patrik Laine: Part 2 - Healthy Living Edition

[CharleyHorse]

I get he isn't playing the best, but how come other vets are fine to be complete shit and there's nothing done to them ?

Healthy-f***ing scratch Gallagher.

Can't do it to Dvorak as he's seemingly the only one who wins faceoffs.

Matheson earlier could have easily been sat.

Anderson could have been sat last year numerous times.

Dach could have been sat.

Pretty lame by MSL just because he is turning a blind eye to others.

Really? You are going to compare Gallagher's effort on most nights to Laine's effort on many night? That's illegal.

 

[japhi27returns]

Laines play to start the year here was an anomaly. He was shooting 25%.

His play now is a slump, and yes he probably hit the wall. Suspect he will get better as the season progresses, assuming he can stay in the lineup.

The player he is, what we should expect, is the guy he has been. Oft out of the lineup, 55 games 50 points per year. He has been this player since 2019 and is actually underperforming his previous play.

And since Slaf was brought up, I’d bet on him having a better career. Doubt he is on his 3rd team by age 26 with little to no value at his cap hit. Because - friendly reminder - that is where Laine is in his career today and I doubt the 40 points he puts on the board this year changes that.

 

[Vapaatunnus]

You're dead wrong on Dach. He's been driving the net really well. I'm not having it that he's a bad player, that's nonsense.

Dach has been like Newhook lately, running around like a headless chicken with no results.

 

[VT]

Caufield can pass the puck and make plays too, just like Laine. I wouldn't be against trying Laine with Caufield. But I'm looking forward to Demidov coming next year.

Caufield is a sniper more, you must use his qualities. Also you need more good lines, not only one.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Dach has been like Newhook lately, running around like a headless chicken with no results.

It’s the flipside of earlier this season. Dach was dragging his linemates down. Now it’s the opposite.

 

[LaineBOOM]

Any chance he's just gassed?

Too much hernekeitto?

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Haha how the heck does one embed Gifs here??? Literally tried every possible way and that was the best I could do

 

[LaineBOOM]

Nyquist - Jenner - Laine... it was his best line in the CBJ.

and now compare:

Laine - Evans - Armia

I think it is an ideal line. Dach and Newhook are fast players who prefer vertical hockey. Also they have tragical FO, so they need a fast player player with excellent for checking. Laine prefers horizontal hockey and Armia is an intelligent player.

I agree 1000 % and I cant WAIT to see this line in action!!!! Also 2 early games during the weekend so can watch the full games again without compromising my work capability the next day.

 

[26Mats]

Caufield is a sniper more, you must use his qualities. Also you need more good lines, not only one.

True, but at this point I want to get Laine going.

Now that Dach is starting to come back, Newhook-Dach-Slaf may work.

Actually one thing I wanted to do in preseason was have Newhook go back to playing with Gally and Armia, where he had success last year, and then have Dvo play wing with Laine and Dach, and have Dvo take the draws. Yes Dvo. He has more grit along the walk, and I think can make plays with skilled players. He's also of a similar speed as Laine.

But it's good to try Laine with Evan's and Armia.

 

[Scriptor]

2.0

I see the comparison with Hoffman who was a PP specialist with zero defensive awareness, but, to Laine's credit, his shot on the PP is still 5 times the shot Hoffman had.

 

[Habs Halifax]

True, but at this point I want to get Laine going.

Now that Dach is starting to come back, Newhook-Dach-Slaf may work.

Actually one thing I wanted to do in preseason was have Newhook go back to playing with Gally and Armia, where he had success last year, and then have Dvo play wing with Laine and Dach, and have Dvo take the draws. Yes Dvo. He has more grit along the walk, and I think can make plays with skilled players. He's also of a similar speed as Laine.

But it's good to try Laine with Evan's and Armia.

Laine is a bit hard headed. He has to stop trying to be a dangler with the puck. He's not a center. Keep the game simple and work hard. Release that shot whenever you can. That will keep MSL and the fans off your back.

It would help if we had a better 2nd line. Very curious to see what Gorton/Hughes do to fix our 2nd line and with Demidov coming. Demidov at age 19/20 next year is not fixing our 2nd line alone by himself.

 

[Scriptor]

True, but at this point I want to get Laine going.

Now that Dach is starting to come back, Newhook-Dach-Slaf may work.

Actually one thing I wanted to do in preseason was have Newhook go back to playing with Gally and Armia, where he had success last year, and then have Dvo play wing with Laine and Dach, and have Dvo take the draws. Yes Dvo. He has more grit along the walk, and I think can make plays with skilled players. He's also of a similar speed as Laine.

But it's good to try Laine with Evan's and Armia.

With Heinemann still out, it's difficult to alter the lines, IMO. We lack talent.

But, the idea of having an Armia - Evans - Laine line is really interesting, beyond the fact that Armia and Laine can easily communicate together as Finns.

Slafkovsky and Dach had also shown that they had chemistry together before Dach's injury last season.

We're still missing two players to adequately complete two duos; Caufield - Suzuki and Dach Slafkovsky.

Newhook is just not a good enough option for either duo and reuniting Anderson with Dach and Slafkovsky would put too much pressure on the player to produce offensively after defining a new role for himself that he is excelling at this season.

Anderson simply doesn't have the hands or the hockey sense to complete a line with Caufield and Suzuki.

Laine is a bit hard headed. He has to stop trying to be a dangler with the puck. He's not a center. Keep the game simple and work hard. Release that shot whenever you can. That will keep MSL and the fans off your back.

It would help if we had a better 2nd line. Very curious to see what Gorton/Hughes do to fix our 2nd line and with Demidov coming. Demidov at age 19/20 next year is not fixing our 2nd line alone by himself.

Agree that Demidov won't fix everything by himself next season. Montreal needs a 2C other than Dach. If Dach shows that he can actually become a 2C after that, it just becomes a happy problem for the Habs who can then look to showcase an excellent top-9 earlier than expected (than waiting for someone to claim the 3rd line role from Beck, Kapanen or Hage, even)

 

[Habs Halifax]

With Heinemann still out, it's difficult to alter the lines, IMO. We lack talent.

But, the idea of having an Armia - Evans - Laine line is really interesting, beyond the fact that Armia and Laine can easily communicate together as Finns.

Slafkovsky and Dach had also shown that they had chemistry together before Dach's injury last season.

We're still missing two players to adequately complete two duos; Caufield - Suzuki and Dach Slafkovsky.

Newhook is just not a good enough option for either duo and reuniting Anderson with Dach and Slafkovsky would put too much pressure on the player to produce offensively after defining a new role for himself that he is excelling at this season.

Anderson simply doesn't have the hands or the hockey sense to complete a line with Caufield and Suzuki.


Agree that Demidov won't fix everything by himself next season. Montreal needs a 2C other than Dach. If Dach shows that he can actually become a 2C after that, it just becomes a happy problem for the Habs who can then look to showcase an excellent top-9 earlier than expected (than waiting for someone to claim the 3rd line role from Beck, Kapanen or Hage, even)

Dach would be a great RW for Evans on the 3rd line IMO.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Agree that Demidov won't fix everything by himself next season. Montreal needs a 2C other than Dach. If Dach shows that he can actually become a 2C after that, it just becomes a happy problem for the Habs who can then look to showcase an excellent top-9 earlier than expected (than waiting for someone to claim the 3rd line role from Beck, Kapanen or Hage, even)

I think Dach is good in the 2nd line role. Rough start but he’s turned it around. And he’s got some much needed size in the top six. Put him with Demidov and I think they’ll crush it.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

True, but at this point I want to get Laine going.

Laine has to get Laine going. The injury means he gets a mulligan from me for now but he has been pretty useless 5 on 5.

 

[Scriptor]

Laine is a bit hard headed. He has to stop trying to be a dangler with the puck. He's not a center. Keep the game simple and work hard. Release that shot whenever you can. That will keep MSL and the fans off your back.

It would help if we had a better 2nd line. Very curious to see what Gorton/Hughes do to fix our 2nd line and with Demidov coming. Demidov at age 19/20 next year is not fixing our 2nd line alone by himself.

Agree that Demidov won't fix everything by himself next season. Montreal needs a 2C other than Dach. If Dach shows that he can actually become a 2C after that, it just becomes a happy problem for the Habs who can then look to showcase an excellent top-9 earlier than expected (than waiting for someone to claim the 3rd line role from Beck, Kapanen or Hage, even).

 

[BergevinBurner]

I think Dach is good in the 2nd line role. Rough start but he’s turned it around. And he’s got some much needed size in the top six. Put him with Demidov and I think they’ll crush it.

I'm still not sold on Dach at center, especially not on the 2nd line.

His faceoff woes, lack of playmaking and poor defensive play are all concerning. I'd much rather see Demidov with someone else centering him for his rookie season.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'm still not sold on Dach at center, especially not on the 2nd line.

His faceoff woes, lack of playmaking and poor defensive play are all concerning. I'd much rather see Demidov with someone else centering him for his rookie season.

Dach should be the RW with Evans on the 3rd line. Heineman / Evans / Dach would be a great 3rd line.

Caufield / Suzuki / Slaf
Laine / Duchene / Demidov
Henieman / Evans / Dach
Anderson / Beck / Kapanen
Dvorak

Maybe Hage can be that 2C but that is 2+ years away. Signing someone like Duchene would fit well. Sign him to a high AAV for 3 years (or 2 years) which overlaps Demidov's ELC and gives us time to evaluate Hage.

Buyout Gallagher this summer and bring back Dvorak to be the 14th forward. Rather Roy and others play big min's in Laval. Not sure we have room to bring back Armia

 

[vayrynen]

Laine has to get Laine going.

Since 2016 it's been a constant topic among the fans that we need this and that guy in the line with Laine to get him going. Your solution is the only proper one though.

 

[Deebs]

Laine has to get Laine going. The injury means he gets a mulligan from me for now but he has been pretty useless 5 on 5.

I don't think he's the type of guy that can do that on a regular basis. He's like a Kovalev light in a sense. Incredible talent but just really doesn't have that drive to be the best because it doesn't mean that much to him. Just my take on him

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don't think he's the type of guy that can do that on a regular basis. He's like a Kovalev light in a sense. Incredible talent but just really doesn't have that drive to be the best because it doesn't mean that much to him. Just my take on him

He can be a sniper all he wants and not drive play, but if he doesn't start winning a puck battle or making a play off the wall, or getting the puck in over the line without a turnover, then we just can't viably employ him beyond next season.

 

[sampollock]

Laine has to get Laine going. The injury means he gets a mulligan from me for now but he has been pretty useless 5 on 5.

Put the big boy pants on

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I don't think he's the type of guy that can do that on a regular basis. He's like a Kovalev light in a sense. Incredible talent but just really doesn't have that drive to be the best because it doesn't mean that much to him. Just my take on him

We got paid to take him. It's a win for us no matter what. But I'd be fine trading him at the deadline. And unless his play improves a lot I'd be fine if we don't re-up with him next year.

Again, recovering from injury... let's give him some time.

 

[Deebs]

We got paid to take him. It's a win for us no matter what. But I'd be fine trading him at the deadline. And unless his play improves a lot I'd be fine if we don't re-up with him next year.

Again, recovering from injury... let's give him some time.

And I've said that all along. He was a freebie for us and we won't know what we really have until next camp. Same thing as Kirby

 

[sampollock]

We got paid to take him. It's a win for us no matter what. But I'd be fine trading him at the deadline. And unless his play improves a lot I'd be fine if we don't re-up with him next year.

Again, recovering from injury... let's give him some time.

so agree
should not dismiss the guy
let's play this out

 

[Habs Halifax]

How Laine responds to this pressure and attention is a very big indication on his future with either the Habs or in the NHL. Does he rise to the occasion or does he fade more. There is history here with Laine's style of game and how he can drive a coach nuts.

Keep your game simple. Don't dangle as much and work very hard in the trenches. That's all he has to do.

We got paid to take him. It's a win for us no matter what. But I'd be fine trading him at the deadline. And unless his play improves a lot I'd be fine if we don't re-up with him next year.

Again, recovering from injury... let's give him some time.

Agreed. It's OK to put a little heat on him. He's not a young developing player so there should be some level of pressure. But lets not go overboard with it like we usually do. Stay calm, cool, and collected boys and girls.

This is up to Laine to make adjustments.