Player Discussion Patrik Laine

[Estimated_Prophet]

I am definitely partially correct. The list of ultra skilled possession monster wingers that play their off wing is a long one.

It absolutely is not a long list relative to strong side puck handlers but yes, there are plenty of examples over the years

I only stated that you were "entirely incorrect" because you used an absolute in saying that skilled puck handlers should always play on their off hand. This is clearly false as the vast majority play on their strong hand side and the reason for that is the one that I stated. I believe that the players that do conform to your philosophy do so because they are either left or right eye dominant depending on what side they are playing on and just don't see the game as well with their dominant eye on the outside of the play.

 

[themilosh]

Imagine if Laine works out and produces as a top six forward; after the solid calibre of play that Monahan delivered.

The Canadiens would have received four seasons (combined) of top six play from Monahan and Laine, plus two first round draft picks, plus a 2nd round draft pick, plus anything they may get should they move Laine at next year's deadline; or extend him as a piece moving forward, and all for the price of Jordan Harris.

Makes you wonder why Bergevin thought he was smart for saving 9.2$m in cap space.

An organization like the CH should be appalled at the decades long mishandling of their asset value.

 

[the valiant effort]

It absolutely is not a long list relative to strong side puck handlers but yes, there are plenty of examples over the years

I only stated that you were "entirely incorrect" because you used an absolute in saying that skilled puck handlers should always play on their off hand. This is clearly false as the vast majority play on their strong hand side and the reason for that is the one that I stated. I believe that the players that do conform to your philosophy do so because they are either left or right eye dominant depending on what side they are playing on and just don't see the game as well with their dominant eye on the outside of the play.

Your view is narrow-minded, especially as skaters continually improve their edge-work and the game embraces east-west play. The offensive zone advantages to playing off wing for the ultra skilled outweigh all disadvantages and perceived disadvantages.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Your view is narrow-minded, especially as skaters continually improve their edge-work and the game embraces east-west play. The offensive zone advantages to playing off wing for the ultra skilled outweigh all disadvantages and perceived disadvantages.

My view is not narrow minded if it is factually correct.

Narrow minded would be presenting an absolute statement as you did that is in contrast to the evidence. I am the only person in the conversation saying that there are useful applications for both of these tactics when dealing with skilled puck handlers. That is literally the opposite of only presenting one option as you did which would be definitively narrow minded.

To then arbitrarily claim that there are more offensive zone advantages for off wing forwards is simply not true, especially when presented in a manner that is devoid of context and nuance. In the context of the individual, playing off hand is only a shooting advantage, it is a disadvantage in puck possession, passing and board play. It is true that super skilled players can mitigate these disadvantages but there is a reason that most of them choose to play on their strong side as they become possession monsters with their stick naturally shielded from defenders on top of their elite skills where they can expose the puck when they choose to do it and are not forced to their back hand where they are far less dangerous.

Why are we even discussing this in a vacuum that is the offensive zone when strong hand wingers are unarguably far more effective in the other two zones? Are you suggesting that the players should switch back and forth, creating longer routes and mayhem in the neutral zone for defenders looking to find breakout lanes? You can't just arbitrarily dismiss these issues and only focus on the offensive zone.

Power plays are different as there is less puck pressure and more room to expose the puckhandler's stick to defenders. I think too many people see power plays and think , "hey, why don't they always play on their off wing". There is also little to no danger of having to defend against sustained pressure in the d-zone.

I have been through this exercise so many times as a player and a coach that I am not going to be presented with a view point that I have not considered. There is no universal right or wrong answer, it is just that most players including the most skilled puck handlers are more effective on their strong side.

I respect your opinion and hopefully i am not coming off as too harsh, we are in agreement in some aspects but I am not sure that we are going to close the gap on your absolute statement unless you move off of that.

 

[the valiant effort]

My view is not narrow minded if it is factually correct.

Narrow minded would be presenting an absolute statement as you did that is in contrast to the evidence. I am the only person in the conversation saying that there are useful applications for both of these tactics when dealing with skilled puck handlers. That is literally the opposite of only presenting one option as you did which would be definitively narrow minded.

To then arbitrarily claim that there are more offensive zone advantages for off wing forwards is simply not true, especially when presented in a manner that is devoid of context and nuance. In the context of the individual, playing off hand is only a shooting advantage, it is a disadvantage in puck possession, passing and board play. It is true that super skilled players can mitigate these disadvantages but there is a reason that most of them choose to play on their strong side as they become possession monsters with their stick naturally shielded from defenders on top of their elite skills where they can expose the puck when they choose to do it and are not forced to their back hand where they are far less dangerous.

Why are we even discussing this in a vacuum that is the offensive zone when strong hand wingers are unarguably far more effective in the other two zones? Are you suggesting that the players should switch back and forth, creating longer routes and mayhem in the neutral zone for defenders looking to find breakout lanes? You can't just arbitrarily dismiss these issues and only focus on the offensive zone.

Power plays are different as there is less puck pressure and more room to expose the puckhandler's stick to defenders. I think too many people see power plays and think , "hey, why don't they always play on their off wing". There is also little to no danger of having to defend against sustained pressure in the d-zone.

I have been through this exercise so many times as a player and a coach that I am not going to be presented with a view point that I have not considered. There is no universal right or wrong answer, it is just that most players including the most skilled puck handlers are more effective on their strong side.

I respect your opinion and hopefully i am not coming off as too harsh, we are in agreement in some aspects but I am not sure that we are going to close the gap on your absolute statement unless you move off of that.

I am of course willing to back off the absolutism. We see this aspect of the game a little differently but we can still be friends.

 

[Scintillating10]

Heard any reports how Laine played in camp?

 

[MMANumminen]

My view is not narrow minded if it is factually correct.

Narrow minded would be presenting an absolute statement as you did that is in contrast to the evidence. I am the only person in the conversation saying that there are useful applications for both of these tactics when dealing with skilled puck handlers. That is literally the opposite of only presenting one option as you did which would be definitively narrow minded.

To then arbitrarily claim that there are more offensive zone advantages for off wing forwards is simply not true, especially when presented in a manner that is devoid of context and nuance. In the context of the individual, playing off hand is only a shooting advantage, it is a disadvantage in puck possession, passing and board play. It is true that super skilled players can mitigate these disadvantages but there is a reason that most of them choose to play on their strong side as they become possession monsters with their stick naturally shielded from defenders on top of their elite skills where they can expose the puck when they choose to do it and are not forced to their back hand where they are far less dangerous.

Why are we even discussing this in a vacuum that is the offensive zone when strong hand wingers are unarguably far more effective in the other two zones? Are you suggesting that the players should switch back and forth, creating longer routes and mayhem in the neutral zone for defenders looking to find breakout lanes? You can't just arbitrarily dismiss these issues and only focus on the offensive zone.

Power plays are different as there is less puck pressure and more room to expose the puckhandler's stick to defenders. I think too many people see power plays and think , "hey, why don't they always play on their off wing". There is also little to no danger of having to defend against sustained pressure in the d-zone.

I have been through this exercise so many times as a player and a coach that I am not going to be presented with a view point that I have not considered. There is no universal right or wrong answer, it is just that most players including the most skilled puck handlers are more effective on their strong side.

I respect your opinion and hopefully i am not coming off as too harsh, we are in agreement in some aspects but I am not sure that we are going to close the gap on your absolute statement unless you move off of that.

It absolutely is not a long list relative to strong side puck handlers but yes, there are plenty of examples over the years

I only stated that you were "entirely incorrect" because you used an absolute in saying that skilled puck handlers should always play on their off hand. This is clearly false as the vast majority play on their strong hand side and the reason for that is the one that I stated. I believe that the players that do conform to your philosophy do so because they are either left or right eye dominant depending on what side they are playing on and just don't see the game as well with their dominant eye on the outside of the play.

Hopefully Laine plays with both eyes open and the third one should be open too for optimal aerodynamics.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Hopefully Laine plays with both eyes open and the third one should be open too for optimal aerodynamics.

That eye will require a window in his pants......perhaps for back skating

 

[Rapala]

Heard any reports how Laine played in camp?

He was kind of invisible yesterday.