Player Discussion Patrik Laine: ruining the tank

[Lshap]

Man…Hugo are a better GM then I could ever be. I would have easily given a 2nd round draft pick for Laine.

If only I could be a fly in the wall, I would be really interested to see how Hugo convinced Columbus to pay them a 2nd round draft pick for Laine.

Sam Pollock level trade. Generation trade. I would have easily folded and given Columbus whatever they wanted.

With Laine it all comes down to health. He became known more for being damaged goods than for being a star sniper, which is why Hughes was able to pull off this deal.

It's possible he's finally healed, psychologically and physically. If so, yeah, absolutely look to re-sign him. You don't let rare talent slip away.

But let's be cautious. So far, we've only seen injured Laine and red-hot Laine. Let's see what happens in the vast in-between.

 

[HHel]

Most people says, that if he can stay physically healthy. In 3th season he had back problems, but after that all his injuries have been freak accidents and few covid's.

Now his head seems to be in right place (hopefully), so mostly he has to have better luck in those situations, where those injuries has come in previous seasons.

Hope he keeps fireing, signs extension and hoist the cup whit Habs!

 

[Calendal]

With Laine it all comes down to health. He became known more for being damaged goods than for being a star sniper, which is why Hughes was able to pull off this deal.

It's possible he's finally healed, psychologically and physically. If so, yeah, absolutely look to re-sign him. You don't let rare talent slip away.

But let's be cautious. So far, we've only seen injured Laine and red-hot Laine. Let's see what happens in the vast in-between.

Most people says, that if he can stay physically healthy. In 3th season he had back problems, but after that all his injuries have been freak accidents and few covid's.

Now his head seems to be in right place (hopefully), so mostly he has to have better luck in those situations, where those injuries has come in previous seasons.

Hope he keeps fireing, signs extension and hoist the cup whit Habs!

Barkov misses 10-15 games basically every season. A team that is good enough to win the cup can make playoffs even if their star misses some games. It’s not optimal, ofc.

That said (and as Laine fan) he sometimes puts himself at unnecessary risk. His first concussion may have been a suicide pass but also something an experienced player would avoid. This last preseason injury was him trying too hard. Perry in WHC (although no time missed) was a cheap shot but also a degree of naivete. Etc.

 

[HHel]

Barkov misses 10-15 games basically every season. A team that is good enough to win the cup can make playoffs even if their star misses some games. It’s not optimal, ofc.

That said (and as Laine fan) he sometimes puts himself at unnecessary risk. His first concussion may have been a suicide pass but also something an experienced player would avoid. This last preseason injury was him trying too hard. Perry in WHC (although no time missed) was a cheap shot but also a degree of naivete. Etc.

You are right. He has to avoid those situations, where he is in vulnerable for injury.

 

[HuGort]

Habs 5-3 since Laine return

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It was obvious since the beginning he would have gotten over 20 goals. Easily. I never doubted his abilities.

He was always so much better than whatever above average talent we had.

The talent was never in question. His health (both mental and physical) was.

 

[mitchmagic]

Finally nice to have a few stars on our team.

 

[Scriptor]

Habs tracking as a 100+ point team in the standings since Laine's return, for sure, but you really need to take into account the quality of the opposition faced...

Matchups against FLA and Vegas, etc., may well take that 5-3 record down a notch...

 

[GrandBison]

Finally nice to have a few stars on our team.

Yeah, let's not Radulov him without a real plan