DashingDane
Dutch boy
An article in Finnish media based on an interview after the Rangers game:
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/nhl/art-2000001948705.html
Rough translation below (I don't have time for a better one now since I'll try to sleep a couple of hours before the game):
Patrik Laine revealed what he misses from Finland – â€That’s something that should be hereâ€
Patrik Laine’s first month on NHL ice has exceeded all expectations. But everything is not perfect, because there is something missing in Winnipeg. “Kaupinoja’s Sauna from Tampere is what I miss. That’s something that should be here.†[See this sauna for yourself on the webpage, it's in English too: http://www.talviuimarit.fi/english-info/ ]
Patrik Laine left to the big dollar league with hopes of getting a spot in the Jets lineup and making good use of it. He certainly didn’t think himself being tied for league lead in goals on November. “That considered this has exceeded all expectations. As a team we could be doing better, thoughâ€, Laine summarizes in New York. He says he has gotten to play with such good guys (Mark Scheifele among others) that it has to show somewhere. “But let’s not get excited. I have a lot to improve.â€
Laine started the season with a goal to establish himself a spot in the NHL. “I had no objectives for a specific number of points or goals. Everything on top of a spot in the lineup is a bonus. I just wish I’ll get to keep it.†The head coach of Winnipeg, Paul Maurice, chuckles when he hears about Laine’s objectives. Maurice thinks that Laine has a clear-cut spot in the lineup and the Finn would crack each teams’ roster in NHL. “Doesn’t Laine share the top spot of the goal scoring list with some guy? What’s his name again, Crosby? I think Laine is in a good situationâ€, the head coach jokes. (After Monday David Pastrnak and Artjom Anisimov climbed up to share the spot, also with eight goals.)
Laine doesn’t hear Maurice’s comments about him cracking all other teams’ rosters. “I hope these showings are good enough to keep me up [with the big club]â€, Laine says and leaves to stretch after the Rangers game. “So that I won’t get completely stiffâ€, he jokes. Maurice has gotten to answer the same questions about Laine’s shot all the time. Now he goes silent for a while when I ask him for a comment on Laine that he hasn’t already said. Then he comes up with something. “Laine is 18 years old.†Maurice means that growing pains are sure to come. Laine has a lot to learn, but so far he has done everything like a veteran. “I have to say that I’ve been around this stuff for 20 years and I have never seen that kind of a shot which is a mystery to goalies. There is no chance to realize when the shot goes offâ€, Maurice says.
Laine describes Winnipeg as a small city where he can be in peace even though hockey fans identify him. Even a steak dinner with buddies goes mostly without distractions. “I quite rarely go anywhere. If I do, I don’t have to write autographs all the time.†He praises how the team has welcomed him. Especially older players have helped with practical things. “And we do have one Finnish gentleman [Joel Armia from Pori]. I don’t have to stumble with English all the time.â€
Thanks for posting and translating! He is such an impressive and humble young man. Couldn't be more excited about the prospect of him being a Jet for many years to come.
On a side note I really like how he has looked with Sheifele and Ehlers. Hopefully they put up more points tonight!
