Player Discussion Patrik Laine: Part 2 - Healthy Living Edition

[sampollock]

This team is as good as how well Laine is playing. It's that simple. We need some good players on our second line.

I don't know what's wrong with him but it's night and day between when he's in a hot streak and a cold streak.

We need to get him going again.

That's why they should put them on the first line try them out

 

[VT]

Well, if MSL tells Evans there is a word pass and Laine doesn't play in front of the net as a power forward we will see a goal.

 

[japhi27returns]

You guys still thinking 7x8 still or is my 5M looking more reasonable now?

Suspect he looks much better with a full off season but my god he is a nothing burger at ES.

I really want him succeed, for the team, and him personally. Gut wrenching knowing how much this must weight on him.

Would be an amazing comeback story. But having a hard time picturing how this turns around. His body language is unbelievably bad.

 

[le_sean]

You guys still thinking 7x8 still or is my 5M looking more reasonable now?

Suspect he looks much better with a full off season but my god he is a nothing burger at ES.

I really want him succeed, for the team, and him personally. Gut wrenching knowing how much this must weight on him.

Would be an amazing comeback story. But having a hard time picturing how this turns around. His body language is unbelievably bad.

I’m thinking that zero extension negotiations should take place. You see what he gives you next season after training this summer and playing with Demidov. There’s no point in committing to him now.

 

[DAChampion]

You guys still thinking 7x8 still or is my 5M looking more reasonable now?

An extension for Laine, if deserved, can wait until January 2026.

 

[japhi27returns]

My expectations for Laine were set in accordance to my diagnostic of his leg injury and this is why I'm not as upset and revolted as some of you are right now.

I expected a PP trigger man and major suckage 5 on 5, and this is exactly what we got.

Now if they could only figure out a way to move the box so that the guy who is cheating on him during the PP is forced to get off his dick, that would be dandy.

This board has always been guilty of ignoring bad context and setting expectations high for no reason and then getting angry when those expectations aren't met. But I can't save y'all.

The context, in this case, is a guy that plays 60 games a year and puts up 50 points in those 60 games.

My expectations have not been met, I didn’t expect a PP wizard, because he hasn’t been one, but thought he’d be at least competent at even strength.

At this point he isn’t even the player he was in CBJ, where he got run out of, so understandable if people are disappointed. For 8M I’d like a guy that can do something at ES.

An extension for Laine, if deserved, can wait until January 2026.

Someone tell Drebin, he was absolutely sure I was a lunatic for wanting a cheap deal, if any deal at all.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The context, in this case, is a guy that plays 60 games a year and puts up 50 points in those 60 games.

My expectations have not been met, I didn’t expect a PP wizard, because he hasn’t been one, but thought he’d be at least competent at even strength.

At this point he isn’t even the player he was in CBJ, where he got run out of, so understandable if people are disappointed. For 8M I’d like a guy that can do something at ES.

Yeah but he’s not healthy. Let’s see what he can do when he is. The man has talent but that knee has been operated on a few times now…

 

[japhi27returns]

An extension for Laine, if deserved, can wait until January 2026.

Yup, exactly where I was at when he was on fire, still same place.

Yeah but he’s not healthy. Let’s see what he can do when he is. The man has talent but that knee has been operated on a few times now…

He says he is healthy. But agree that an off season will be good. But here is the thing, very likely he misses 20-30 games next year as well. I’m starting to believe hockey is a burden for him but thats just conjecture.

 

[BullLund]

How many forwards do they have? I can't imagine Finland are keen on giving this version of Patrik Laine much ice time. Lots of noise and it will get louder if Marty ever decides to take him off PP1.

Finnish coaches can get results out of any half-ass hockey player. He'll probably play protected minutes on offense and PP.

I wouldn't worry about it too much even if he has been playing like crap. At this point we are accustomed to putting just about any beer leaguer on ice and contending for gold. You just have to play to their strengths, whatever that is.

 

[nippanappa]

Damn... it's tough to see him struggling so much.

He was the guy that made me a bigger hockey fan than I ever could imagine, in 2016. He has a talent to scoring that is very unique, and he has shown earlier to be also useful player at 5-on-5. I still think he can find it in Montreal, even though it looks rough atm.

Healthy rest of the season and a proper summer training and I believe the old Patrik is back next season!

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Essentially MTL had a two yr audition for what Laine is at a cost of money

We have seen some very good and very bad

His current level of play there is no way you can extend him

His overall effectiveness is just not there

Will a training camp help that, i think its wait and see but feels like its going to be too much work to around his deficiencies

 

[Farmboy Patty]

I think you're onto something. If Laine can move high an take a guy with him, that can easily create a numerical advantage down low and allow a cross crease pass. The problem is that our guys seem to lose every ounce of their skill in those situations.

It’s such a weird thing when it seems that high skill top players suddenly lose their creativity that is on clear in the flow of the game when there is a power play. My simpleton theory is that in most cases (coaches) they have been given unnecessarily rigid frames to work within, and if you don’t play accordingly you might get off that unit. Every single hockey player wants to be on that unit.

 

[WeThreeKings]

No points for Dach and Newhook but they were the best line all night. Laine did more of the same, turn every puck touch over.

Laine will bounce back after the break, wish he wasn't in 4 nations though.

 

[the]

It’s disheartening to see Laine struggle. The team was so much fun when he was scoring every night.

I’ve watched him closely and it seems his knees are bothering him. There’s two shift where instead of crossing his legs to change directions he was just gliding. He’s able to skate but doesn’t put a lot of force in his movements.

I’m assuming at this point the team is just using him for his shot on the PP and giving him some ice time to still get some games under his belt but would need surgery in the offseason.

 

[ReHabs]

It’s disheartening to see Laine struggle. The team was so much fun when he was scoring every night.

I’ve watched him closely and it seems his knees are bothering him. There’s two shift where instead of crossing his legs to change directions he was just gliding. He’s able to skate but doesn’t put a lot of force in his movements.

I’m assuming at this point they are just using him for his shot on the PP and giving him some ice time to still get some games under his belt but would need surgery in the offseason.

In the third I saw him make a very strange inside outside inside outside move in the o-zone. Seems like he’s really not confident in his stability.

 

[LaineBOOM]

It’s disheartening to see Laine struggle. The team was so much fun when he was scoring every night.

I’ve watched him closely and it seems his knees are bothering him. There’s two shift where instead of crossing his legs to change directions he was just gliding. He’s able to skate but doesn’t put a lot of force in his movements.

I’m assuming at this point the team is just using him for his shot on the PP and giving him some ice time to still get some games under his belt but would need surgery in the offseason.

I said a week or two ago that if he is gonna need surgery in the offseason, he should get it done like NOW, asap.

This so that he gets the time he needs to recover from it, to get back in somewhat of a shape, start strengthening the muscles that lose a lot during the whole thing etc. If he gets operated offseason we aint gonna see any of his actual solid complete "best possible Laine" until like December.

Its gonna be really hard to judge if he is worth re-signing and for how much if the whole autumn goes with the "he just had surgery in May/June, he needs more time to get going". Sure, he might get a stretch of good games come December and January but its no guarantee that he can keep it up. The more games one can see from his in his complete/final form the better.

Its a tough situation for all the stakeholders. Really tough. But one thing is imo clear: no one is benefiting from him playing right now if a surgery is coming up. Get surgery NOW instead and be ready be in top form already around October or early November. Thats at least 1 month of extra games in optimal form, maybe more. Its a huge difference.

 

[the]

I said a week or two ago that if he is gonna need surgery in the offseason, he should get it done like NOW, asap.

This so that he gets the time he needs to recover from it, to get back in somewhat of a shape, start strengthening the muscles that lose a lot during the whole thing etc. If he gets operated offseason we aint gonna see any of his actual solid complete "best possible Laine" until like December.

Its gonna be really hard to judge if he is worth re-signing and for how much if the whole autumn goes with the "he just had surgery in May/June, he needs more time to get going". Sure, he might get a stretch of good games come December and January but its no guarantee that he can keep it up. The more games one can see from his in his complete/final form the better

Its a tough situation for all the stakeholders. Really tough. But one thing is imo clear: no one is benefiting from him playing right now if a surgery is coming up.

I think he really wants to participate at the 4 nations tournament. Once the tournament is done it will be interesting to see if he keeps playing or he ends his season and go have surgery.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

I think he really wants to participate at the 4 nations tournament. Once the tournament is done it will be interesting to see if he keeps playing or he ends his season and go have surgery.

 

[bud12]

Thank god his contract end in 1year.

 

[26Mats]

I'd swap Slaf and Laine. Slaf brings some similar elements as Heineman brought, so he might do well with Evans and Armia. And, I'd like to see how Laine does with Cole and Nick.

Or Slaf could play with Dach and Newhook, like the first two games of last year when they were really good. Anderson goes with Evans and Armia.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

What’s his #s breakdown in the games before and after the CBJ game where he talked shit to the media and got destroyed

The whole conversation started regarding a notion that is being peddled that Laine was being held back by Dach and Newhook. The counter point was actually that Laine was hurting Dach and Newhook.

Since they've been split, Laine has produced no offense and Dach + Newhook have 3 pts in 2 games. So it is quickly dispelling the notion that Laine was being held back and confirming that, in the offensive zone, the lack of success was happening because Laine was having bad puck touches and turnovers.

Sick sample size bro

 

[Hacketts]

No points for Dach and Newhook but they were the best line all night. Laine did more of the same, turn every puck touch over.

Laine will bounce back after the break, wish he wasn't in 4 nations though.

You're being a bit disingenuous tho with Laine.

I understand that Dach's your boy and people were coming after him all year, and you've had to become quite defensive about him. I agree with you for the most part regarding people hating on Dach were being silly, and being typical hfboarders that are pumped to the tits on emotion, and say alot of illogical things here.

I am a Dach supporter.

I gotta defend my boy tho.

Laine needs puck touches, and it feels like the last few games he's barely getting it on his stick. Did he have a couple turnovers today, sure. How many turnovers did Slaf have in the 3rd alone today, if we're gonna take out the microscope. Laine has been creating some chances for Armia & Evans.. they've been quiet plays that have led to some chances. His game overall today wasn't terrible, it was just pretty uneventful and I don't think he's to be blamed for that considering he's not getting the puck, or chances.

I think 4 nations is the best thing for him, get him playing minutes in a comfortable setting. At least there's he's going to be put in position to play to his strengths in an offensive role. Because it ain't it playing 4th line minutes here in Montreal. I know it's another conversation to be had about him deserving it, but playing him for 10 minutes a night with the team not being being able to score right now... doesn't make too much sense.

 

[26Mats]

No points for Dach and Newhook but they were the best line all night. Laine did more of the same, turn every puck touch over.

Laine will bounce back after the break, wish he wasn't in 4 nations though.

I didn't see the first, and I think unwittingly tuned in and out mentally for the 2nd and 3rd.

But what I saw, I didn't notice Laine much with Evan's and Armia. I did notice a couple cycle plays where they had some degree of pressure. I also noticed Laine not being great on the boards for at least one goal against.

On the PP I saw Laine create the best scoring chance we had all night: a one timer the goalie couldn't handle, but Slaf couldn't convert on the rebound with Allen down...

I'm ready to see Slaf in the Heineman role with Evans and Armia and Laine next to CC and Suzy 5 v 5.

And I liked Newhook's game. Happy he may be a good bottom sixer for us for years to come, like Beck.

 

[Hacketts]

I didn't see the first, and I think unwittingly tuned in and out mentally for the 2nd and 3rd.

But what I saw, I didn't notice Laine much with Evan's and Armia. I did notice a couple cycle plays where they had some degree of pressure. I also noticed Laine not being great on the boards for at least one goal against.

On the PP I saw Laine create the best scoring chance we had all night: a one timer the goalie couldn't handle, but Slaf couldn't convert on the rebound with Allen down...

I'm ready to see Slaf in the Heineman role and Laine next to CC and Suzy 5 v 5.

And I liked Newhook's game. Happy he may be a good bottom sixer for us for years to come, like Beck.

Slaf would be much more useful in that spot over Laine with his style of play, they would probably compliment each other pretty good. Nothing long term, but could work for the immediate future.