Player Discussion Patrik Laine

schwang26

Registered User
Mar 15, 2022
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I don't think they have any intentions of putting Laine at center, but it will be an interesting dilemma. Laine could have the same issues as as dach as he hasn't played much of all in a long time either.
Ya I think Dach goes back to centre with Condotta being returned to Laval. There’s really no choice (other than Newhook but he’s not a centre, really). My hope is that Laine gets them both going on the 2nd line. If Dach can’t be the Habs 2nd line centre, I have no idea what they can do. May have to trade or sign someone.
 

sampollock

Registered User
Jun 7, 2008
42,789
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in my home
Our 2c situation is horrible, so for sure I could see him being the best option if he's able to get back to form down the line.

Right now I want to see Suzuki - Dach - Evan's- Newhook as our 4 C's. Newhook hasn't been good on the wing. He has speed and is bad along the wall. May be worth trying again at C.

Laine - Suzuki - Slaf
Caufield - Dach - Dvo (takes faceoffs)
Gallagher - Evans - Anderson
Roy/Heineman - Newhook - Armia
yup
KH has a HUGE job to find a #2 centre
 

Sterling Archer

Registered User
Sep 26, 2006
23,331
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I think people are bailing on Dach way too quickly.

He's been off for a year and it takes time to get back to where he left off, which was a dominate top 6 center. He's still very young and I think once he gets some support from his line mates like a skilled scoring winger aka Laine back on his wing and gets back to mid season form, he'll be just fine.

He hasn't lost his size, ability or talent. Just needs time and help to get things going like they used to.
 

Miller Time

Registered User
Sep 16, 2004
24,326
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1,000,000 question

no one trades a good #2 centre.
Reinhart, Vaerheage and Bennett were all trade acquisitions for the cup winning Panthers....

Eichel for the Knights

Kadri for the Avs

O'Reilly & Schenn for the blues

If anything, it's more accurate to say that cup winners usually acquire a top 6 C via trade.

Bolts are the only recent winners not to, and they added both Coleman & Goodrow via trade to help their C & fwd depth get across the cup winning line.

Accumulating a depth of high quality assets is step one... getting a young core to gel and push into playoffs is step two, rounding out and solidifying a strong core with key veteran trade acquisitions to push the core over the top is the last step.
 

26Mats

Registered User
Jun 23, 2018
33,382
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does any one know who could be a good trade target (realistic please) to fill this hole.

- We probably should have signed Monahan to a huge/overpay cap hit but on a 3 year deal. Maybe this summer there will be a UFA like him?

- Hopefully Hage or Dach are the future at C.

- Best bet if they're not is our top 5 pick this year. But if MSL has figured it out defensively, we may not have a top 5 pick after all.

- But we've seen good c's traded in the past: Braden Schenn, Chandler Stevenson, Eichel, Ryan o'reilly, Sam Bennett. One just has to pounce on the opportunity when it presents itself and be willing to pay the price and/or be willing to take a chance on a player that's coming off a down year (ex: Danault, Sam Bennett).
 

1909

Registered User
Jul 6, 2016
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The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?
 
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Miller Time

Registered User
Sep 16, 2004
24,326
17,221
The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?

Odds are we'll see another injury before then... But if not, I imagine Pez to be the odd man out and Dvorak traded at some point
 

morhilane

Registered User
Feb 28, 2021
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The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?
I think they will keep Condotta, he's doing a better job as the 4th line center then Dvorak was.
Pezz is probably getting waived.

Habs might be hoping Dach is out of his funk by the time Laine comes back. But Newhook might be the one demoted to run CC/Evans/Laine. Dvorak should be moved, but I don't expect HuGo to do so until the deadline.
 

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