Player Discussion Patrik Laine: ruining the tank

[Marioesque]

Great debut all things considered.

I thought he played a lot like a center honestly. Was usually the one transporting the puck up ice, and was usually the first on his line backchecking. Also noticed him defending down low quite a bit helping out our d-men in what is usually the C's role. Wonder if it's something they may look at down the road when he's had some more time to get back into his groove.

The whole thing of him being the last fwd out of defensive zone and playing like a centers role as first fwd back started for him in Winnipeg, and continued in Columbus. That's part of why they wanted to try him as center last season. That experiment was cut short because of the injuries

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

My point wasn’t to start a massive argument or anything like that

And yet, if you look at the post I responded to, you'll see that poster was was saying Laine will become our best scorer, which is what I argued against.

 

[Kennerback]

100% PURE LAINE

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

And Laine's scoring has gone way down, but yeah, we should bank on the player whose scoring has dwindled while scoring has gone up league wide, to outscore the player who has scored at a higher pace (than Laine's best season) for 2 of the last 3 seasons. 2 out of 3 because he had surgery. Otherwise Caufield might already be a 45 goalscorer.

Banking on Laine to become our best goalscorer is expecting too much. I live Laine, but people are acting like irrational fanboys.

In all likelyhood, he'll be our second best goalscorer, and that's not bad at all.

It’s hard to say really. Both have insane goal scoring pedigrees. It’s amazing to have both.

People dismissing the 48 goals in 82 games was never not silly especially when it’s not RHP doing it but a kid we drafted who had Messi as a player comparable.

You can tell a lot of people want to wait to see Caufield do it over the course of a year which is understandable. I’d be curious if these same people are also as ‘patient’ in wanting to shoot Dach out of a cannon. But I digress! lol.

I’m really confident in Laine. It’s not that hard to imagine him entering his prime with us and eclipsing his past highs tbh.

They could be neck and neck going forward. Hopefully pushing each other. But yeah two world class snipers on the same team is gonna be huge. If the kids struggling can turn it around sooner than later then offense shouldn’t be a problem going forward. The RD situation will be the tough one

 

[Marioesque]

I was just watching the shift by shift and noticed that his first shot attempt on the first PP hit the opponents stick and broke it in half. It's something that happens a lot with him and then the opponent has to play without a stick. I've seen it happen many times over his career.

 

[the]

It feels so good to finally have a superstar caliber player.

 

[tazsub3]

It feels so good to finally have a superstar caliber player.

I am not only impressed by the goals, but I saw him back check so hard , intercept passes , as you said a superstar caliber player

 

[hardcorehabs]

Top 5 shot in the NHL

 

[Marioesque]

I was just watching the shift by shift and noticed that his first shot attempt on the first PP hit the opponents stick and broke it in half. It's something that happens a lot with him and then the opponent has to play without a stick. I've seen it happen many times over his career.

And happened again, this time he scored from it.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Weirdly enough, he reminds me of Kovalev quite a bit. Big winger, heavy feet, likes to dangle, devastating wrister, sorta shy but ended up feeling quite comfortable in Montreal. I'm really seeing it.

 

[Andrei79]

Weirdly enough, he reminds me of Kovalev quite a bit. Big winger, heavy feet, likes to dangle, devastating wrister, sorta shy but ended up feeling quite comfortable in Montreal. I'm really seeing it.

Traded for spare parts.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Traded for spare parts.

That too !

 

[Kennerback]

Traded for spare parts.

The guy has so much talent yet traded for so little. There must be a lot more weird than just his jacket today. Otherwise it makes no sense.

 

[Prettyisland]

I can only imagine going through what he’s been through and having a home crowd like this show him what to him must seem like unconditional love. A goal in each game is just perfectly scripted. This love affair between him and the fans at this very specific time could create a monster.

 

[Benstheman]

He also has 3 block shots. Great game. Great effort.

 

[Andrei79]

The guy has so much talent yet traded for so little. There must be a lot more weird than just his jacket today. Otherwise it makes no sense.

Yeah, hes uber talented. While I always thought Matthews was a 50 goal 100 point center, Laine was always just as skilled. Hes a 5 tool player, he's like Rantanen, he literally had everything to be a top 5 winger. It's still soon, but it's at least fun to see he hasn't lost the skill or IQ.

 

[red devil]

Top 5 shot in the NHL

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It feels so good to finally have a superstar caliber player.

I think we have a couple on the cusp.

Caufield I think still has superstar potential. He's still pacing for 50 goals.
What Hutson's doing is off the hook. He's having a season comparable to Subban and Chelios. Legit superstar potential.
Demidov is on the way.
Slaf still has so much promise.

There's a lot of talent on the way.

 

[Bouboumaster]

GOAT

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Top 5 shot in the NHL

yeah I don't think it's quite Matthews/Ovi level but it ain't that far off. As long as he brings it come playoff time, I'll be happy.

But like everyone else said could've had a couple assists too. That one play where the guy just bounced off him lol. I think he's gonna be a Hab long term.

 

[26Mats]

I was just watching the shift by shift and noticed that his first shot attempt on the first PP hit the opponents stick and broke it in half. It's something that happens a lot with him and then the opponent has to play without a stick. I've seen it happen many times over his career.

Yep you called it.

First he broke the opposing players stick with a shot, turning a 5 on 3 into basically a 5 on 2.

Then, when he had the guy who had no stick covering him, he had all day to tee it up and put it home.

 

[Marioesque]

yeah I don't think it's quite Matthews/Ovi level but it ain't that far off. As long as he brings it come playoff time, I'll be happy.

But like everyone else said could've had a couple assists too. That one play where the guy just bounced off him lol. I think he's gonna be a Hab long term.

I've held the firm belief since 2016 that Laine's shot is in fact the best, and his highlight reel compared to the other mentioned is evidence of it. They might be better overall goal scorers but distance shooting is all Laine.

 

[Tabarouette]

Traded for spare parts.

please do not slander Jozef Balej like that he scored that sick ass goal once!

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I think we have a couple on the cusp.

Caufield I think still has superstar potential. He's still pacing for 50 goals.
What Hutson's doing is off the hook. He's having a season comparable to Subban and Chelios. Legit superstar potential.
Demidov is on the way.
Slaf still has so much promise.

There's a lot of talent on the way.

Only watched the first two periods but our boy CC looks dynamite. Possibly our most dangerous forward this game. If he had slightly better puck skills I think he'd be a superstar no question about it. I think he's damn close. He's just really smart. The playmaking is starting to show. It's funny how many still seem slow to praise him. So many really dug their heels in against him. It's clear to me though that he's a huge piece.

Hutson is unreal. Not much else to say. Someone on here was saying on the GDT that both teams are garbage but the Preds have Josi. Hutson already has more points than rookie Josi got in like 25 less games lol. Christ he's only 6 points behind him now ffs. I'm as shocked as anyone by the start but guys, he broke Brian f***ing Leetch's freshman point record. Wasn't exactly a stacked team either. He could be a damn near generational talent. Everything he's done since drafted points to that.

Really liked Slaf's game. I saw maybe one brain fart and a BIT casual of play but still, tons of great board work, back checking, forechecking, playmaking some chances. He can be much better and yet he still brings so much. If people want to rehash the bust talk or middle 6 forward nonsense or whatever, let them. He still has tons of room to grow. Even with Hutson, Demidov and Laine--there's a chance that at the end of the day, Slaf could be our best all around player in a few years.

My 30+ year fandom of this offensive starved franchise (during that time) can't even comprehend the addition of Demidov. It's gonna be so fun at the very worst. We got plenty of fire power. It's all about filling the holes.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I've held the firm belief since 2016 that Laine's shot is in fact the best, and his highlight reel compared to the other mentioned is evidence of it. They might be better overall goal scorers but distance shooting is all Laine.

I've definitely heard that even before we got him. I can't stand Nostrils but I can't help but think his is the best but I'll gladly stand corrected if I was to look in it more seriously.

I know many who can't take any joy or can't take their hearts being broken for the millionth time--seem to think he'll be a 60 point guy at best for whatever reason but I don't think so. It's very possible we get the best and most out of him of any team he's been with so far.

We may just be able to have nice things again. Quite a few of them actually.