Prospect Info: Jets Select Patrik Laine 2nd Overall

[kelsier]

"Slightly less explosive..." Let's reserve judgment on that until he's done with the summer training that specifically targets that, shall we?

I doubt many people expected him to go from being a healthy scratch in Mestis(The division below Liiga) playoffs during the summer to generating 12 scoring chances out of 31 total for Tappara in his second game ever as well as eventually winning playoff MVP. Many people have said that that's the greatest leap they've ever seen anyone take during a summer.

Hence, let's see what he does during the summer while working with the guy who's been working on skating with players like Ristolainen and Rantanen while having some noticeable results with them.

Yeah I know, everything is possible but I was making a cautios prediction. Laine had one serious injury which resulted into losing off-season training already. That means he is quite far behind in development, which is a good thing. It is possible Laine becomes as good of a skater but I'd still wager against that. That said I would rather take a bit slower Ovechkin who possess higher overall talent and larger toolbox. Of course at this point we are talking about potential and everything can happen. Laine is better than Ovechkin was at the same age all things considered. Will he be as good in the NHL? Can he become even better? The answers are I think so and it's very much possible, but only time will tell.

Historically speaking there hasn't been an European prospect even close as good resume that Laine has in the draft season. The kid is the brightest gem I've ever seen while actively watching hockey prospects.

 

[Saintb]

Yeah I know, everything is possible but I was making a cautios prediction. Laine had one serious injury which resulted into losing off-season training already. That means he is quite far behind in development, which is a good thing. It is possible Laine becomes as good of a skater but I'd still wager against that. That said I would rather take a bit slower Ovechkin who possess higher overall talent and larger toolbox. Of course at this point we are talking about potential and everything can happen. Laine is better than Ovechkin was at the same age all things considered. Will he be as good in the NHL? Can he become even better? The answers are I think so and it's very much possible, but only time will tell.

Historically speaking there hasn't been an European prospect even close as good resume that Laine has in the draft season. The kid is the brightest gem I've ever seen while actively watching hockey prospects.

I love having the Finnish contributors finding their way here. it really enriches the forum.

 

[ijuka]

Well, the thing with Ovechkin is that his acceleration was at least in his prime the best in the entire league. It's not even necessary for Laine's to be -that- good. But it in my opinion has the serious potential to become very good nonetheless, especially for a guy with his size. He does have other assets making up for it, anyway.

For some reason, I have a feeling that Laine's skating has more room to improve than most people would expect. For instance, his trainer did specifically say that Laine's still very undeveloped and "raw" physically and he has much that he is still able to work on in comparison to more physically mature players. But the thing is, he already does so well and is already physically ready for NHL in spite of that.

This is another reason why some of us feel that he has pretty unexpected amounts of growth and improvement left in him.

 

[Aavco Cup]

Nice? Video of this?

https://www.nhl.com/jets/video/patrik-laine-meets-the-media/t-277437442/c-44275903

 

[Aavco Cup]

So in the Heritage Classic we get

Kurri vs Selanne on saturday

And

Puljujarvi vs Laine on sunday

Is it Finnish heritage?

 

[The Blue Baron]

Welcome Liane


He'll be a beast and a serious contender for the Calder.

 

[The Blue Baron]

So in the Heritage Classic we get

Kurri vs Selanne on saturday

And

Puljujarvi vs Laine on sunday

Is it Finnish heritage?

Lol good point

It'll be a national holiday there on heritage weekend.

 

[HannuJ]

no one's talking about the smokescreen that Bob McKenzie tweeted, where there was no guarantee that the Jets were going to take Laine.

Looking back, it's pretty clear that Columbus was sending out the signals, not the Jets, to possibly trade down.

 

[ijuka]

Yeah, Chevy said he was set on Laine since lottery.

This makes McKenzie lose reliability as a reporter to me.

 

[QnebO]

So in the Heritage Classic we get

Kurri vs Selanne on saturday

And

Puljujarvi vs Laine on sunday

Is it Finnish heritage?

That sounds awesome. Nice2know, cant miss that one, I think they should also have Teemu pass an olympic type of torch symbolic way to Laine

 

[Winnipeg Jets]

Surprised this thread only has 5 pages while the Stanley one is going on 22. Is anyone happy we got Laine? I for one am ecstatic, as soon as I heard the T in Tappara I started freaking out.

 

[surixon]

no one's talking about the smokescreen that Bob McKenzie tweeted, where there was no guarantee that the Jets were going to take Laine.

Looking back, it's pretty clear that Columbus was sending out the signals, not the Jets, to possibly trade down.

I never bought it and figured we where definitely taking Laine so I was not the least bit worried.

With regards to the player, incredibly happy to now officially welcome him to the fold. Hes going to be a terrific player for us and can't wait for the fall.

 

[kelsier]

I'm f*** thrilled. We watched the Finland - Russia (U20) gold medal game with friends just for the kicks of it. Even the hangover from yesterday doesn't bother me!

 

[garret9]

LAINE!!

 

[Flair Hay]

Yeah, Chevy said he was set on Laine since lottery.

This makes McKenzie lose reliability as a reporter to me.

100% agree. He was probably spoon fed BS by someone and ran with it, "soiled" his name a bit

 

[Sweech]

Surprised this thread only has 5 pages while the Stanley one is going on 22. Is anyone happy we got Laine? I for one am ecstatic, as soon as I heard the T in Tappara I started freaking out.

It's expected.

This is a discussion board. Everyone has opinions on Stanley and different takes and arguments with one another.

As for Laine we pretty unanimously like him and there's not much to discuss that hasn't been discussed since we realized we'd won the #2 overall pick.

 

[BB88]

Care to link. I'm curious to which poll it was.

I'm sorry I just read it quick and moved on, it just said our poll had 90% of the voters hoping for you, no names.

 

[DaJackal]

Congratulations, Jets! This was exactly what I wanted to happen.

You got yourself an absolute monster. The local media will love him, too - he is a nice guy to interview and he actually gives real answers and opinions instead of the usual North American blatant and politically correct BS.

Your PP just went from horrible to scary. Buff on the right side blueline and Laine as the sniper on the left. Add in Scheifele etc and the end product is a complete nightmare to defend against.

Please please please use him as LW!!!!

 

[Georgetown Al*]

Patrik Laine and Winnipeg have always been a perfect fit

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/patrik-laine-winnipeg-always-perfect-fit/

Go Jets Go Go Jets Go

 

[Huffer]

So very happy.

 

[rehf]

I get the feeling he's going to be used at RW, even though I'd prefer him on LW.

 

[ganiseri]

Now it is official, im becoming a jets fan. Suomi, perkele, viina ja kirves

Laine is going to be a beast.

 

[ijuka]

Laine as RW would make absolutely no sense.

He needs passes from either front of him or from the right.

Laine has to be a center or LW. RW is the one position that he should not play under any circumstance.

 

[rehf]

Laine as RW would make absolutely no sense.

He needs passes from either front of him or from the right.

Laine has to be a center or LW. RW is the one position that he should not play under any circumstance.

I'm with you, I don't understand why every media place has him as RW. Even the Jets list him as a RW.

Hopefully he's utilizied as a LW though.

 

[Gsus]

Laine as RW would make absolutely no sense.

He needs passes from either front of him or from the right.

Laine has to be a center or LW. RW is the one position that he should not play under any circumstance.

I hope he can play LW. If they need him to be RW, then it time to adapt for him. Great wingers can play both wings effectively. Eager to see where they see him but I'm sure Laine will tell them where he's playing the latest.

Great fit for Winnipeg and the Jets are gonna be the team I'll keep eyes on, maybe they'll be my second favourite team soon.