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.

 

[The Great Weal]

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

Also I hate to be that guy, but he was not impressive in his very short camp/preseason. Guy had to take a treatment day after like 2 practices.

I'm sure he will help but thinking that he's a superstar that will turn this around is delusional. We should be happy if he's a 25-25 player.

 

[The Last Red]

Also I hate to be that guy, but he was not impressive in his very short camp/preseason. Guy had to take a treatment day after like 2 practices.

I'm sure he will help but thinking that he's a superstar that will turn this around is delusional. We should be happy if he's a 25-25 player.

25-25 would be a big add to this lineup.

 

[The Great Weal]

25-25 would be a big add, bro.

Should have been clear that this is for someone who plays 82 games. That's second line caliber player and arguably on the lower side. A useful player but not what I would classify a big add.

 

[OldCraig71]

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

That's where I am as well, maybe he will surprise us.

 

[The Last Red]

Should have been clear that this is for someone who plays 82 games. That's second line caliber player and arguably on the lower side. A useful player but not what I would classify a big add.

How many 25 goal scorers does this roster have presently?

 

[MasterD]

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

Most 2nd rd picks don't even reach Jordan Harris's level. We'll see.

 

[The Great Weal]

How many 25 goal scorers does this roster have presently?

How many teams are desperately waiting for a 50-point player to come back and help them jump 10 spots in the standings?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Things were veering off a little so I moved the Dach discussion to the Dach thread.

 

[OldCraig71]

Did you read my post?

You might be right man... maybe he's not the guy. I think he would've been had he not gotten hurt but he did. Like I said, things aren't what they were they're what they are. That injury f***ed things up.

Yes, I read it and my point stands that if Hughes and MSL thought that he could handle it, he would be there. If he is feeling physical/mental issues because of the nature of his injury they should be getting him the help he needs. If that is the case it's a failure on their part.

I would love it if he was the guy who could take some of the responsibility from Suzuki. It would be a large step forward for this team.

Hey, who knows, in a year or two it might be Michael Hage that is the guy, he is tearing up the college ranks and is only 18!

 

[Habs]

He's missed 'Dach' levels of hockey, I don't expect much

 

[Doc McKenna]

He has the tools, so if he can pot a few or be a great playmaker then the downside is we get a smidge better, the upside is he improves the team a bunch by moving guys to their proper chair.

The real downside is we get a worse draft pick given our rank at present is another top 5. We still need this as our top prospects that I hear "are amazing" each and every year are proving to be flashes in the pan like usual. Still remember the steal we got in logan M...."bergie will be vindicated for this !" And yet here we are. Hopefully PL is getting the right help he needs to get back to a very good 2nd liner and maybe a decent top liner at some point.