Hard to play well when Maurice is holding you back. Only 5 guys in the League have more powerplay goals than Laine this season. But Laine is still forced to be on the 2nd powerplay unit. Jets and Maurice don't even want to use Laine on the only place he's been good. At this point either Maurice or Laine has got to go. No point in the Jets keeping both, because they clearly don't get along.
I am kind of getting sick of this excuse.
I could see that point being made if he was getting chances and just not scoring but his all around game is just garbage right now.
He's not skating. He's not hustling. He's losing EVERY SINGLE puck battle against the boards. You don't just keep throwing a guy out there who's not competing.
Thing is, he has shown glimpses of his old compete level....and he's looked REALLY good when he has. I don't give a shit about his goal scoring drought. I give a shit about how bad he looks during it. It would be one thing if he was snake bitten but he's just not moving.
Roslovic played his ass off and got moved up to that line...and has looked really good. Him and Little work well together. I am done saying that it's Little that's holding him back.
I say this as someone who's not worried about Laine. I know he's going to get out of this funk at some point but until then, I am done shifting the blame on everyone else.