Player Discussion Patrik Laine

[Tuggy]

That's awesome. In my head, I was always thinking early 2025.

 

[Vachon23]

Can? He will, he's our superstar player.

Let’s not put the expectations to high, the guy didn’t played a game since last year and he didn’t played at an elite level since a long time. he will help to have a 2nd scoring line but don’t put the expectations to high

 

[the]

Let’s not put the expectations to high, the guy didn’t played a game since last year and he didn’t played at an elite level since a long time. he will help to have a 2nd scoring line but don’t put the expectations to high

He will be just fine with the high expectations and all. He might start off slow but he will thrive here once he gets going.

 

[Vachon23]

He will be just fine with the high expectations and all. He might start off slow but he will thrive here once he gets going.

I personally have 0 expectations about him so I would be happy if he can bring secondary scoring what we really need

 

[the]

I personally have 0 expectations about him so I would be happy if he can bring secondary scoring what we really need

If he brings secondary scoring that's fine but I strongly believe he will become one of our best forward in due time.

 

[VT]

Make him the center. He can play there very well. Including defense, playing without the puck. He'll also be forced to move his feet, make pass, and not try to transition. It's the passing that is one of his strengths. He just needs to practice faceoffs. One would certainly be a better center than Dach or Slafkovský.
For example: Heineman - Laine - Gallagher. Heineman is an ideal player for him. Maybe it is strange, but he was best with similar players in Columbus, for example Jenner, Nyquist or Chinakhov. I liked him with Olivier too. And not ideal with playmakers.

 

[Murky]

I have been a fan since before draft. I have no idea why but he always seemed to have that swagger and showmanship that I love.

And he was very good for the Jackets when he was healthy. Their best player for the few past years without the support everyone always says he reguires.

But seriously he is not a superstar and he has not played in a long long time. We should be happy if he stays healthy for the rest of the season and maybe next year he will be back to ppg. And if we are really lucky he finds his scoring touch and gets 40. Both are easily within his reach but health is the issue. He has always been too eager to come back from injuries and it has bit him more times than not.

With his head on straight he might be one of the few people that thrive in the extreme pressure that is Montreal. But it reguires him to do well. He has always done well when he has felt he is loved and Mtl surely delivers if he delivers on ice. But expecting big things this season is not realistic.

 

[VT]

D

 

[Habs13]

I'm terrified that we rush him back... no reason to do so.

 

[A Loyal Demidog]

I'm terrified that we rush him back... no reason to do so.

Same.

 

[tazsub3]

When I see how much Harris has blossomed in Columbus … just that second seems a mega steal .
So anything laine does is icing on a cake

 

[JianYang]

Let’s not put the expectations to high, the guy didn’t played a game since last year and he didn’t played at an elite level since a long time. he will help to have a 2nd scoring line but don’t put the expectations to high

I think he's going to struggle but hopefully he can get his rythym back for his sake sooner than later. The way he looks out there is going to get him the slow and lazy label quickly when his offensive game is not clicking.

 

[26Mats]

Make him the center. He can play there very well. Including defense, playing without the puck. He'll also be forced to move his feet, make pass, and not try to transition. It's the passing that is one of his strengths. He just needs to practice faceoffs. One would certainly be a better center than Dach or Slafkovský.
For example: Heineman - Laine - Gallagher. Heineman is an ideal player for him. Maybe it is strange, but he was best with similar players in Columbus, for example Jenner, Nyquist or Chinakhov. I liked him with Olivier too. And not ideal with playmakers.

Well we need a 2c so this fits in team needs:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach (they can figure it out)
Dvo - Laine - Slaf
Gallagher - Evans - Anderson
Heineman - Newhook - Armia

Maybe switch Dvo and Gallagher. But Gally and Anderson are playing well together.

We have a lot of moderate to low IQ wingers that aren't play makers and don't handle the puck well. So there should be plenty of options for wingers for Laine.

I also remember Aaron Portzline saying Laine doesn't play well with another line mate that likes the puck on their stick, which is what Dach used to be. Maybe Laine will work with Suzuki and Slaf or Caufield though. None of those 3 are puck hogs.