Player Discussion Patrik Laine: wearing a regular practice jersey

[Mike C]

I honestly think we will only see some flashes of him this year, probably getting better at the end of the season if he manages to stay healthy.

The real test will be next season, if he can prove that he could be part of this core and wants to stay. That would be a massive plus for us, two pure goal scorers isn’t too much on a team imo.

best moment of the season for me so far has been when Dakota Joshua hit the ice for the first time. i will get goose bumps when Laine comes out for his first shift also!

 

[LaP]

I honestly think we will only see some flashes of him this year, probably getting better at the end of the season if he manages to stay healthy.

The real test will be next season, if he can prove that he could be part of this core and wants to stay. That would be a massive plus for us, two pure goal scorers isn’t too much on a team imo.

Laine is a huge gamble but it's one that could pay. Laine is still young. He's just one year older than Suzuki. If he can figure it out here it would be huge. In career his average production over 82 games is 35 goals and 66 points.

 

[sampollock]

Laine is a huge gamble but it's one that could pay. Laine is still young. He's just one year older than Suzuki. If he can figure it out here it would be huge. In career his average production over 82 games is 35 goals and 66 points.

its a good gamble
this team needs something what do they have to lose
so many problems this may be a good thing

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

That's true there does seem to be some intensity/pressure to win right now. I heard Gorton punched a wall the other day. Wonder why they haven't made any moves tho....

We'll see, Laine seemed very determined and motivated at start of year. He's hungry to play. And I think fans will give him a huge boost, he's exciting. Finally something to cheer for like when Hutson arrived.

Laine himself should be feeling good for first stretch of games at least. Especially at the Bell.

I'm pretty sure that wall was a placeholder for the referees's faces, not the state of the team.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

His entire issue is being a head case. I don't put any stock in this mental health stuff he's been on about. In terms of his physical gifts he was born to replace Teemu Selänne as the Finnish GOAT, but he doesn't have the attitude. He's only ever been good when the game is easy for him. If anything this mental health stuff is going to further impede him achieving his destiny. The second he encounters adversity he's going to retreat into his security blanket again.

Dude. He's a kid. Everybody has a path where they need to figure out things about themselves, their past and how to overcome personal problems. Some fail on that path, some don't, but reducing all that to 'headcase' is misguided. It sounds like PK's detractors using the same brand of shit slinging.

I've personally known several people who've gone through similar situations at the age (minus the millions in $, which is not failsafe against depression et al) and some came out of it as very different people. Personality stayed the same, but their lives became better because they had awakenings/introspection that led to behavioral change. When the trade happened, I started reading-up on what happened to him. The way he described things, it sounded very familiar to those I mentioned before. Only time will tell if he turned a corner or if it was all a sham of pretty words, but I think he deserves the benefit of doubt.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

These things are tricky, i remember watching Stephane Richer have a great season followed by a mediocre one then a great one, then another mediocre year… He was deemed moody, lazy, selfish… and then got traded.

Then the day after he won the cup with the Devils he was sitting in a room debating whether or not he should kill hilself. It made no sense to him. It should’ve been the happiest day of his life but he was suicidal. That’s when he went for help.

How can any of us know what’s going on inside a person’s head?

That sounds so much like bipolar disorder. The highs are too high, making the lows even lower. He had something to latch unto, the cup run, which kept him focused, but once it was done, it left an emptiness. This is the hallmark or BPD. Same with that actor who was on Radio City, can't remember his name. He ended-up killing himself. He was bipolar and I remember reading an interview where he spoke of his disorder, and said that the end of shooting was when he felt most depressed. Bipolars can run on a high when they have focus for something they are passionate about, but once they can't put that focus to use, it leaves them empty.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Is taking Kirby's spot on PP1 and Dach will go to PP2.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Is taking Kirby's spot on PP1 and Dach will go to PP2.

I like this. If Hutson could get Kirby going on the PP, it could snowball from there.

I'd have Caufield play bumper on PP1.

 

[Captain97]

Is taking Kirby's spot on PP1 and Dach will go to PP2.

Is this confirmed?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Is this confirmed?

By Marty himself.

 

[Captain97]

By Marty himself.

I am very happy about this

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

You’re thinking of Joe Rogan

Naw. I'll find who it was, ill post it later

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Naw. I'll find who it was, ill post it later

Sorry I made a distasteful joke (I think?) you’re likely thinking of Phil Hartman

 

[26Mats]

I like this. If Hutson could get Kirby going on the PP, it could snowball from there.

I'd have Caufield play bumper on PP1.

Only thing is, hopefully Hutson will be on pp1.

Still, you hope Dach, Newhook, Matheson, Gallagher and Heineman could get something going on pp2. Gally is good in front of the net, Heineman in the bumper, Dach on the half wall and Matheson is a good 2nd pair dman.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Sorry I made a distasteful joke (I think?) you’re likely thinking of Phil Hartman

Nah, it was a guy in his late 20's or early 30's. I remember Hartman's story well. It was his wife, in his case.

 

[overlords]

Nah, it was a guy in his late 20's or early 30's. I remember Hartman's story well. It was his wife, in his case.

David Strickland?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

David Strickland?

Yes i think that's him.

He was playing in Suddenly Susan, which i mixed up with Hartman's show.

 

[overlords]

Yes i think that's him.

one of the sadder moments in tv history, I think

 

[26Mats]

He's a keeper. It's exciting.

He may not be a shooter. He may be a playmaker and a shooter. Finding the right linemates will be key. So far so good with Dach amd Slaf though.

 

[boompuffboom]

those cobalt blue skates...!!!

anyone have a pic of those lightning greaves?

 

[Tabarouette]

Disastrous night for the “big guys take a while to come back from an injury” crowd in Dach’s thread

 

[KevSkillz4]

I'm sooo happpy for him !!

 

[Bouboumaster]

What a laser of a shot

 

[Kennerback]

His shot needs to be registered at the police station.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

those cobalt blue skates...!!!

anyone have a pic of those lightning greaves?