I found this new video pretty encompassing
I can imagine the guys flexing their international accolades in the habs dressing room, until Patty comes along. 16 year old Patty did everything far better than you did, kid. Whoever you are.
Laine won U20 gold, was the best player in that tournament (puljujarvi got the honors instead of the 2 superior players Aho and Laine in his line)
Laine broke the playoff scoring record in Finnish league, he was MVP of playoffs for Finnish league as a teenager. Not even Selanne did that.
Laine was the MVP in mens World championships. 17 year old Laine was better than Connor McDavid at 19 in that tournament.
I met Saku Koivu in person when he was 16 (pitsiturnaus), he was not an efficient member of his hockey club at that age. He was all the rage, we knew he was gonna be great, but he was a rather unremarkable kid at 16. Saku became one of the biggest reasons why Finland won so much through 94-06.
Laine as a 16-17 year old broke Finnish league playoff record of goals, and most of them were from ridiculous distance and often right at the end of time, he tied or won games in last seconds. For me, that taught me you should always try to set up a chance for Laine to shoot, because there's never been anyone better at delivering that shot.
Laine has Always been a better player than his rival Auston Matthews. Laine has always won the head to head. U20 to NHL. Matthews never beats Laine head to head. Prove me wrong. Show head to head data.
There is only one person who shoots with that accuracy. Patrik Laine.
I grew up idolizing Koivu and Selanne, but as an old man now, I can easily tell that Laine is the biggest Finnish talent so far.
His best friend Sasha Barkov just hoisted the cup. I can't be more happy for Sasha for winning it. He's the best 2 way player in the world (not arguable, he has Selke and Stanley). Barkovs best friend Patty is at least offensively far better.
Can't stress enough how much I want him to stay in one piece. He's a ridiculous talent when available
At some point Sasha Barkov said that after every team practice, Laine stayed out to take hundreds of shots after each practice, daily.
So when people tell me about "lazy Laine" I can't take them seriously. You do not become the greatest of all time in shooting pucks, unless you work on it more than anyone else. He has done that.