Player Discussion Patrik Laine: ruining the tank

[BehindTheTimes]

Besides the otherworldly shot he really does remind me of Vanek when he was with us. Great smart possessions. Savvy playmaker. He’s f***ing terrific

Vanek was not terrific with us.

 

[Marioesque]

When Patty had a season where he had more assists than goals, he was asked about it and he said he wanted to make sure that was the last time.

"Assists are for assistants" -Laine

And he's a wicked playmaker

 

[nippanappa]

 

[Marioesque]

It's facts. Big Buff was great, but not like Hutson.

The damage these two will do together is gonna be incredible

Laine is the best shot in the world. Hutson can draw so much attention to him and make plays after that. It's the perfect recipe.

Suzuki is crucial too. The skill of these players opens up the room for Laine to shoot. That's all he's ever needed

 

[Bumbul]

Laine had somewhat ok stats while paying in Winnipeg.

Knowing your post history I know that's just an ironic understatement, but just in case, educating the audience: Laine turns 20, happy with goal total as teenager for Jets | NHL.com

 

[Marioesque]

Knowing your post history I know that's just an ironic understatement, but just in case, educating the audience: Laine turns 20, happy with goal total as teenager for Jets | NHL.com

Yeah. Had they kept Laine in 1st line and no concussion, he would have easily reached 50 goals at 18 as a rookie.

He reached 44 at 19, suffering most of season from a "past expiry date" Brian Little. They still scored but rarely. This was around the time he reached 100 goals 4th fastest in NHL history

And immediately when they got Stastny Laine blew up the league again.

He got buried in Columbus and injury. The generational talent was always there.

Now he finally gets the front page he deserved , in the biggest market/stage of hockey.

The biggest talent deserves the biggest stage

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

I know it's out of etiquette to quote one's own posts, but at least once I managed to foresee something. From page 17th of this same thread:

Happy with this unexpected, but fortunate move. Could be career-defining for Patrik.

I'd keep expectations on hold for most ridiculous numbers, but it is clear that Patrik should be at least utilized as PP force multiplier: it is hardly secret to anyone that when that cannon appear anywhere near his traditional office, an opponents tend to cheat toward him, sometimes even with 2 or 3 players, but always at least with one dedicated for the job. Only his presence there make more room for others regardless of do he get a puck or make a shot or not.

Hoping reasonably sheltered role and minutes for Patrik, and possibility to use his main weapon a lot. At least first as designated PP specialist, possibly doubling in both PP1 and PP2. Kind of embracing that age old "one-trick pony" metaphora, knowing it is not entirely true, but for that One trick certainly effective way to get started. I would give Patrik a lot of responsibility in re-organizing Habs powerplay, from shooting drills to actual tactical schemes...

And hey, everyone should just end idiotic experiments, desires, and fantasies concerning vision of "Patrik the center", it's waste of resources. Just pass the puck!

Patrik is an artist. Of rare specimen. Feed that inspiration.

Everything will go fine.

I didn't see his pre-season knee injury, but considerations are otherwise gone far above and beyond my expectations.

@Marioesque I can still remember those endless line-brawls against overwhelming odds vs. fans of Maple Leafs, but I hope sincerely that those days are gone now forever. I'm just happy.

 

[Bumbul]

He reached 44 at 19, suffering most of season from a "past expiry date" Brian Little.

Just 5 goals behind the league leading Ovechkin that season - while getting 98 minutes less PP TOI (and 4 minutes less TOI/G) than Ovie.

 

[Marioesque]

I'm just happy.

Me too buddy.

Might be about time I return to jatkoaika.

I think I have punished them enough with my absence. Maybe.

 

[BB88]

Today every pp is exciting for Montreal, you always know there’s that chance

Also Montreal seemed to be slumping a bit just before Laine got back and the entire feeling around the team is completely different today

 

[BB88]

That’s definitely true and why it’s working

In the past he has spend time way too much on the right side on pp and as great as Werenski is he’s for some reason never been a pp QB

Hutson has next level ability to pass and create vs his past linemates& on top of it MSL has probably told Laine to be Laine and not a 2way powerforward. Just play to his strenghts instead of trying to be something else. That’s why it’s working

That shot has every time a chance to go in