Player Discussion Patrik Laine: ruining the tank

[Lafleurs Guy]

I never bought the argument that MTL wasn't a good place for him but maybe wait more then 4 games before declaring anything. Any problems were always going to only show up after the honeymoon period.

My worry was a slow start. Him getting early success is crucial. That will give him confidence and get the fans on his side. Couldn't have asked for a better start here.

 

[NotProkofievian]

His shot really is something else. It's like watching a prime Tyson knock someone out, or early 2000s Tiger smoke a 2 iron.

 

[BergevinBurner]

Laine's been a very pleasant surprise so far. I'd love nothing more than to see him stay healthy and productive this season and the next, then sign a long term extension with us.

Laine, Caufield, Suzuki and Demidov would give us more talent up front than I've seen in my entire lifetime. We just need our coaching staff to keep molding Slaf into a modern power forward and for management to look for a solution at 2C and we should be in a fairly good spot.

 

[Jets4Life]

As a Winnipeg Jets fan (coming in peace), I want to thank the fans and the Canadiens organisation for your support of Laine. We loved him in Winnipeg. However, there were some behind the scenes issues, that were possibly not understood at the time. It's great that he is happy in Montreal. I hope he goes on to become a 40+ goal scorer for your team. We all saw it in Winnipeg. He is definitely capable of greatness.

 

[Mulletman]

Ok just put down 200 bucks on Laine to score twice against Pittsburgh! Home ice against the team that's let in the most goals so far this season. Don't let me down Montreal!

 

[Scriptor]

Laine's been a very pleasant surprise so far. I'd love nothing more than to see him stay healthy and productive this season and the next, then sign a long term extension with us.

Laine, Caufield, Suzuki and Demidov would give us more talent up front than I've seen in my entire lifetime. We just need our coaching staff to keep molding Slaf into a modern power forward and for management to look for a solution at 2C and we should be in a fairly good spot.

With Laine in top form, Montreal has three legitimate 30+ goal threats in Suzuki, Caufield and Laine, with two 40+ goal threats in Caufield and Laine! Haven't seen that since 1993 -- in a higher goal-scoring era -- when Bellows scored 40, Damphousse 39, Muller 37 and Lebeau 31.

It's unknown whether Slafkovsky and Demidov will be better playmakers than goal scorers in the end, but I see another two surefire 20+ goal scorers.

That matches the five 20+ goal scorers frothy 1993 edition (Leclair gets an honourable mention with his 19 goals scored) and Bergevin already demonstrated that it isn't all that complicated to acquire 20+ goal scorers either through trades, or on the UFA market.

Even discounting the possibility that Roy, Hage, Beck, an eventual 2025 draft pick, or some other prospect becomes another 20+ goal scorer, it wouldn't be all that difficult for Hughes toads another one or two such forwards to further spread out the offense and make the Habs a balanced offensive threat three years or so down the line.

With Suzuki, Demidov, Hutson, Dach and Slafkovsky as solid playmakers, all the goal scorers would be well served.

A return to form for Dach is paramount for Montreal's future success. That or finding another solution at C for the top-6.

Beyond that, the Habs definitely need another top-4 RHD, maybe two, should Reinbacher fail to properly develop, or not properly recover from his current knee injury.

Fowler -- or some other G -- at least developing into a solid platoon option to play alongside Montembeault would round out the team needs towards becoming a contending hockey club.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Sign him asap before he cost too much money.