Player Discussion Patrik Laine: Part 2 - Healthy Living Edition

[ReHabs]

Wow, rds reporter Luc Gelinas saying Laine doesn't really have the flu. He says no one at the rink thinks he has the flu. He thinks there's something else going on behind the scene.

at the 2:18 mark:

Canadiens : Joshua Roy dans un rôle offensif à son retour

L'actualité chez les Canadiens avec Luc Gélinas.

www.rds.ca

Strange to compare it to the Dadonov situation, the scenarios are nothing alike. Dadonov was not wanted at any point and he didn’t want to be here at any point and he never integrated with the team at any point.

Laine was a cap dump but the Habs wanted him and rated his upside and he seemed pretty damn eager to make it work. Unless something has changed dramatically in a few months I don’t see any reason to make the comparison.

Will the Habs lie about “flu symptoms”? Absolutely 100% they will and they have.

But it makes me wonder… (see below)

Isnt like the second time Laine does not play because hes "sick"? It’s pretty rare for players to miss games for being too sick so twice in the same season is pretty suspicious.

It’s crunch time and the Habs are trying to make the playoffs. We have zero scoring depth. I don’t think he’s being benched by MSL or Hughes. (And if he was, he wouldn’t be left out of practice, now would he?)

So I’m thinking it’s either (1) some sort of covert disciplinary action from the Habs against Laine, (2) cover for another injury or sensitive topic (mental health being an obvious concern), or (3) it’s flu season and he’s got it bad.

All three are unfortunate and but only the first two are a real concerns.

As an aside, there is a young player for the German soccer team by the name Aleks Pavlović and he’s suffered from multiple (4+) infections in the last 12 months, with his most recent one (“major viral infection”) taking him out for a month. I figure he has mono, but who knows. I had the worst infection/illness of my adult life in December and only starting feeling normal and totally symptom-free by end of Feb… some friends are dealing with major infection issues too, I wonder if this is in some way related to our friend Covid or if it is a product of the slightly more harsh winter we’re suddenly getting in the northern hemisphere?

 

[Habssince89]

Isnt like the second time Laine does not play because hes "sick"? Its pretty rare for players to miss games for being too sick so twice in the same season is pretty suspicious.

suspicious of what? Leave the guy be

 

[HuGo Sham]

that's a pretty awkward sequence with Luc Gelinas concerning Laine. Has he played since that incident with Slafskovsky in practice?
I hope it's really the flu, but I have a hard time seeing this guy back with Habs.
Then again, what team will trade for him?

 

[morhilane]

skip

As an aside, there is a young player for the German soccer team by the name Aleks Pavlović and he’s suffered from multiple (4+) infections in the last 12 months, with his most recent one (“major viral infection”) taking him out for a month. I figure he has mono, but who knows. I had the worst infection/illness of my adult life in December and only starting feeling normal and totally symptom-free by end of Feb… some friends are dealing with major infection issues too, I wonder if this is in some way related to our friend Covid or if it is a product of the slightly more harsh winter we’re suddenly getting in the northern hemisphere?

There is a lots of virus going around since last year, including Covid still being a thing. Covid attack the immune system so it can weaken you against other stuff for a while. But the flu is apparently a H1N1 variant this flu-season. It always hit like a truck, unless you are vaccinated.

And climate change studies have theorized for a few years that it will cause more infectueus diseases to spread as well.

 

[26Mats]

Strange to compare it to the Dadonov situation, the scenarios are nothing alike. Dadonov was not wanted at any point and he didn’t want to be here at any point and he never integrated with the team at any point.

Laine was a cap dump but the Habs wanted him and rated his upside and he seemed pretty damn eager to make it work. Unless something has changed dramatically in a few months I don’t see any reason to make the comparison.

Will the Habs lie about “flu symptoms”? Absolutely 100% they will and they have.

But it makes me wonder… (see below)

At the TDL presser, Hughes was asked about Laine. He said something like: he's been through a lot personally and health wise. He has one more year on his contract. We'll re-evaluate in the summer. The coaching staff want him to work on the defensive side.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of a potential he sees for Laine to work out. And I don't think Laine is happy with his 5 on 5 rioe... we'll see...

 

[HuGo Sham]

so Lavoie on the TVA det / sens 1st period intermission says it's a virus and St Louis will reevaluate his ability to play tomorrow

 

[tazsub3]

correct if i am wrong, but dont concussions sometimes manifest with flu like symptoms ?

 

[ReHabs]

At the TDL presser, Hughes was asked about Laine. He said something like: he's been through a lot personally and health wise. He has one more year on his contract. We'll re-evaluate in the summer. The coaching staff want him to work on the defensive side.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of a potential he sees for Laine to work out. And I don't think Laine is happy with his 5 on 5 rioe... we'll see...

I don’t want to seem like a fanboy or in denial but those comments seemed perfectly fair to me. Laine doesn’t get a ringing endorsement — and why would he?

He’s been playing rather badly but still producing points.

Whether you think he’s hobbled (like I do) or he’s lazy is another matter… I think Kent’s comments are on the money. Unlike many others, Kent gives credit to and acknowledges Laine’s injury “baggage”. I would do the same.

If there’s a positive trend by the end of the season I think we’ll have reason to be optimistic for his impact next year. I think his stamina and strength are low and his knee is ginger. His balance is off. His whole physical game is strange. Good that his contract has one more year (and only one more year). Perfect timing, imo.

 

[26Mats]

I don’t want to seem like a fanboy or in denial but those comments seemed perfectly fair to me. Laine doesn’t get a ringing endorsement — and why would he?

He’s been playing rather badly but still producing points.

Whether you think he’s hobbled (like I do) or he’s lazy is another matter… I think Kent’s comments are on the money. Unlike many others, Kent gives credit to and acknowledges Laine’s injury “baggage”. I would do the same.

If there’s a positive trend by the end of the season I think we’ll have reason to be optimistic for his impact next year. I think his stamina and strength are low and his knee is ginger. His balance is off. His whole physical game is strange. Good that his contract has one more year (and only one more year). Perfect timing, imo.

I agree with you.

I'm just saying, if Laine indeed doesn't have the flu, and Gelinas is right, well, I don't know what's going on. I wouldn't be surprised to hear there's unhappiness on either side, or both...But I'm not saying there is.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

last time Laine had the 'flu' he missed 2 f***ing weeks.

 

[salbutera]

Laine reminds me of Drouin. Mentally and physically very fragile

Dude has the flu FFS, it happens

 

[26Mats]

Dude has the flu FFS, it happens

The fact that the Habs used an emergency call on Roy, because they are saying Laine has the Flu, leads me to believe Laine does indeed have the flu, despite Gelinas saying he doesn't think Laine does to the contrary.

 

[HHel]

last time Laine had the 'flu' he missed 2 f***ing weeks.

Start of the year I had Mycoplasma for 6 and half weeks. And still my basic fitness is like crap.

 

[HuGort]

At the TDL presser, Hughes was asked about Laine. He said something like: he's been through a lot personally and health wise. He has one more year on his contract. We'll re-evaluate in the summer. The coaching staff want him to work on the defensive side.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of a potential he sees for Laine to work out. And I don't think Laine is happy with his 5 on 5 rioe... we'll see...

We got paid to take Laine contract. But it sucks, a free 2nd but the 9m caphit this summer is going to kill us. Hughes will retain half and try to move his contract at draft.

 

[ReHabs]

We got paid to take Laine contract. But it sucks, a free 2nd but the 9m caphit this summer is going to kill us. Hughes will retain half and try to move his contract at draft.

Laine = 8.7m
Laine = 0.71 PPG

Anderson 5.5m + Dach 3.4m = 8.9m
Anderson 0.32 PPG + Dach 0.39 PPG = 0.71 PPG

Gallagher 6.5m + Newhook 2.9m = 9.4m
Gallagher 0.40 PPG + Newhook 0.33 PPG = 0.73 PPG

It’s Laine’s caphit that’s gonna kill us, right? Let’s all be sure to obsess over Laine.

 

[schwang26]

Now Laine is missing time again? I love Hughes, but again, it was really, really dumb for him to not acquire any depth at the deadline. I don’t see them winning another 5 games the rest of the year. I predicted that they’d flirt with a playoff spot and that they’d pick between 8 and 10. That looks highly likely. They aren’t catching Ottawa or Columbus.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

It's the 9m in caproom I want this summer. Hughes probably eat some of his contract just to move Laine at the draft. But return won't be high.

Habs will have 15 mil + the cap raise.

Trading Price would add another 10 mil. I would much rather wait at next TDL to trade Laine, which would give him time to find his game, hopefully, plus he'll be available to more teams as only 1/4 of his cap will remain and with 50% retention, he'll take up no more than 1.1 mil in cap for the team wanting to add him.

Dont we have almost $11.5 M in Cap space as it is ? If we do, and Im not 100% on it, then we should be alright.

Yes, plus 4.2 mil in cap retention that will go away. That's over 15 mil + cap raise.

 

[417]

So much fabricated drama smdh

 

[salbutera]

Now Laine is missing time again? I love Hughes, but again, it was really, really dumb for him to not acquire any depth at the deadline. I don’t see them winning another 5 games the rest of the year. I predicted that they’d flirt with a playoff spot and that they’d pick between 8 and 10. That looks highly likely. They aren’t catching Ottawa or Columbus.

Habs need to win tonight & tomorrow

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Laine = 8.7m
Laine = 0.71 PPG

Anderson 5.5m + Dach 3.4m = 8.9m
Anderson 0.32 PPG + Dach 0.39 PPG = 0.71 PPG

Gallagher 6.5m + Newhook 2.9m = 9.4m
Gallagher 0.40 PPG + Newhook 0.33 PPG = 0.73 PPG

It’s Laine’s caphit that’s gonna kill us, right? Let’s all be sure to obsess over Laine.

I have no issues with Laine and I liked the gamble but are you willing to give him a long term contract? I'm not , he has zero expectations on him and people are already on his case, imagine if this team is ever good and he's still floating out there.

He has valid excuses this year no doubt but at some point it's professional sports and they are payed handsomely to go out there and play hard

I don't think its gonna work out. Hope it does.

The cap hit next year and this offseason is a non issue for me so I agree with you

 

[bud12]

The guy is done with the habs.

 

[ReHabs]

I have no issues with Laine and I liked the gamble but are you willing to give him a long term contract? I'm not , he has zero expectations on him and people are already on his case, imagine if this team is ever good and he's still floating out there.

At this moment? I am absolutely not willing to give him a long term contract.

But this is why I was so into the trade before it was made -- we knew he was broken (though, not to this extent) and we knew the 2 years left on his contract were optimal to give him and us a fair shake at making this work. Zero regrets and zero worries. If it works, it works and we'll know it next season.

Those on his case are wrong and I'll push back on it as much as possible. We have a legion of shameless bums on the roster and everyone is chasing the mercurial sniper who's on one leg.

He has valid excuses this year no doubt but at some point it's professional sports and they are payed handsomely to go out there and play hard

I don't think its gonna work out. Hope it does.

The cap hit next year and this offseason is a non issue for me so I agree with you

I sincerely think his physical composition is very, very bad. I think a somewhat athletic normal guy would be faster, stronger, and more balanced and have better stamina than him.

He needs a hell of an off-season. If it happens is entirely up to him and his body. Like you, I hope it does.

 

[the valiant effort]

So much fabricated drama smdh

There is, but Laine is also a legitimate shit magnet.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I’ve been sick like 10 times this winter. It’s certainly possible.

There just seems to be a lot of smoke with him. I like him and ultimately want him to stay. Starting to feel that might not happen though.

I don’t think it could be a huge set back if he’s not in the plans but I think he could play a big part. But if there’s just too much baggage there then we’ll have to part ways

 

[417]

There is, but Laine is also a legitimate shit magnet.

Maybe but that's not what's at play here.