Patrik Laine is going to blow the roof off NWA & Hockey in Ohio

[ijuka]

Read the Tortorella interview on Laine, pretty cool stuff. I think that this combo will end up working out better than people expect.

 

[BullLund]

Read the Tortorella interview on Laine, pretty cool stuff. I think that this combo will end up working out better than people expect.

I doubt it. Tortorella seems just about finished with Columbus.

 

[ViD]

I doubt it. Tortorella seems just about finished with Columbus.

There’s absolutely no indication for this

 

[VT]

I doubt it. Tortorella seems just about finished with Columbus.

I doubt that even the Holy Spirit would have played better with our roster. We have good players, but as already I wrote in the Torts` theme, there are no true centers, or rather is, Nash and Stenlund.
IMHO, Torts should be supported. Now neas is rebuilding the center line, and it is not so easy, so these results are not so perfect game. In addition, Torts is trying to rebuild the Laine, to make it a complete player. In his case, this means radically changing the game, actually starting over.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Read the Tortorella interview on Laine, pretty cool stuff. I think that this combo will end up working out better than people expect.

I agree but I don’t think they’ll be together long

 

[BullLund]

I doubt that even the Holy Spirit would have played better with our roster. We have good players, but as already I wrote in the Torts` theme, there are no true centers, or rather is, Nash and Stenlund.
IMHO, Torts should be supported. Now neas is rebuilding the center line, and it is not so easy, so these results are not so perfect game. In addition, Torts is trying to rebuild the Laine, to make it a complete player. In his case, this means radically changing the game, actually starting over.

Maurice tried that during the entirety of Laine's stay in Winnipeg. It only brought mediocre results at best. Arguably, he was better fresh off the draft than he has been afterwards.

He doesn't have the potential to be a "complete player". He is what he is, a goal scorer and PP specialist who needs help on driving plays and defense.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Maurice tried that during the entirety of Laine's stay in Winnipeg. It only brought mediocre results at best. Arguably, he was better fresh off the draft than he has been afterwards.

He doesn't have the potential to be a "complete player". He is what he is, a goal scorer and PP specialist who needs help on driving plays and defense.

I have had zero issues with his defense here. He’s made a few plays on the backcheck and the effort is there. Is he going to play the PK? Probably not. But he’s not a liability either

As far as driving the play I think he has the potential to do it. When he gets his legs moving he’s hard to stop. Big body and good reach, and a pretty good passer. But I will admit he’s unlikely to be the driver of any line

 

[BullLund]

I have had zero issues with his defense here. He’s made a few plays on the backcheck and the effort is there. Is he going to play the PK? Probably not. But he’s not a liability either

He's okay. Just saying that his defense isn't what should be focused on (outside of having players around him who can defend). They should focus on creating chemistry between Laine and the other guys on offense. Every second wasted on making him a better defender, is a second wasted in my opinion.

He's not even a center so I don't really understand the point in trying to turn him into some two-way powerhouse player. That's not what the team needs him to be. He should be a guy that you can count on to score goals on PP and be a threat 5on5. But often times he's not even getting a shot off on PP. That's something to worry about, not his defense.

Every game, we should see him with about 4-5 shots on goal on average. But recently he has been having games with 0 shots, or 1-2 shots. That's a problem.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

He's okay. Just saying that his defense isn't what should be focused on. They should focus on creating chemistry between Laine and the other guys on offense. Every second wasted on making him a better defender, is a second wasted in my opinion.

He's not even a center so I don't really understand the point in trying to turn him into some two-way powerhouse player. That's not what the team needs him to be. He should be a guy that you can count on to score goals on PP and be a threat 5on5. But often times he's not even getting a shot off on PP. That's something to worry about, not his defense.

Every game, we should see him with about 4-5 shots on goal on average. But recently he has been having games with 0 shots, or 1-2 shots.

I agree on the shooting, but everyone should make an effort to be a good defensive player.

 

[VT]

Maurice tried that during the entirety of Laine's stay in Winnipeg. It only brought mediocre results at best. Arguably, he was better fresh off the draft than he has been afterwards.

He doesn't have the potential to be a "complete player". He is what he is, a goal scorer and PP specialist who needs help on driving plays and defense.

Only Maurice is not Torts, who will mess with Laine, try to do it in all ways. Patrik is a great talent who reads the game perfectly. If he listens to Torts, he can grow into a real complete player. It all depends on him.

 

[BullLund]

I agree on the shooting, but everyone should make an effort to be a good defensive player.

On defense, he's only ever going to be mediocre at best. That's just the reality of it.

I'm sure he can improve but not enough to where he can truly help the team become better. Not enough to where it will make a difference. After all, he's not even a center so his effect on defensive play is limited at best. But on offense, he can certainly grow to become a guy that can make the team a lot better, by reliably scoring on PP and generating plays 5on5.

Only Maurice is not Torts, who will mess with Laine, try to do it in all ways. Patrik is a great talent who reads the game perfectly. If he listens to Torts, he can grow into a real complete player. It all depends on him.

He has his physical limitations. He's not the athletic specimen that some of the NHL superstars are. He's a big dude with a hell of a shot who has pretty good hockey IQ, but he also has his short-comings, for example acceleration and puck-handling (particularly in close/when standing still). The massive stick he uses, doesn't help (but then again that's why he can shoot how he does). That's not something that he can address by just listening.

If this was chess, you could call him a bishop, a rook or a knight. But I wouldn't expect him to turn into a queen. That doesn't mean that he can't be utilized to a great effect.

 

[VT]

On defense, he's only ever going to be mediocre at best. That's just the reality of it.

I'm sure he can improve but not enough to where he can truly help the team become better. Not enough to where it will make a difference. After all, he's not even a center so his effect on defensive play is limited at best. But on offense, he can certainly grow to become a guy that can make the team a lot better, by reliably scoring on PP and generating plays 5on5.



He has his physical limitations. He's not the athletic specimen that some of the NHL superstars are. He's a big dude with a hell of a shot who has pretty good hockey IQ, but he also has his short-comings, for example acceleration and puck-handling (particularly in close/when standing still). That's not something that he can address by just listening.

Torts ' answer to your opinion

Btw, I`m Slovak and I know Zdeno Chara`s history from his young years, so I think you`re mistake. To
"puck-handling (particularly in close/when standing still)" IMHO we must wait. We don`t know as far as he is all right with his hand, because he injured it.

 

[ThisIsMyAlibi]

Still waiting for the roof to blow off

 

[Calendal]

The massive stick he uses, doesn't help (but then again that's why he can shoot how he does). That's not something that he can address by just listening.

Shorter still than Barkov’s.

But which recent star has really been a great defensive player? Not Matthews or McDavid, Ovie or Malkin. Maybe Crosby but that’d hard to argue. Mark Stone? Sure. Marchand? Perhaps.

Defense is hard in hockey. Most players getting toward 30 raised their value by improving on defensive side of things, not by generating more offense.

 

[Jive Pawnbroker]

Still waiting for the roof to blow off

The only thing that will blow the roof off of NWA is the team winning the Cup there. One player by himself ain't gonna do it.

 

[QnebO]

Still waiting for the roof to blow off

He would've done it, but couldnt because of the Corona. Now we'll never know

 

[Bruce Granville]

He is gone.
Either in 2 years for nothing or JK finds a trading partner next year.

It makes no sense to overpay him, because there is no decent first line in sight.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

He is gone.
Either in 2 years for nothing or JK finds a trading partner next year.

It makes no sense to overpay him, because there is no decent first line in sight.

The doom and gloom for no reason is agonizing.

Bjorkstrand is a first liner. Laine is as well. We're missing a center.

We have cap space and some prospects. We have picks, and an aggressive GM. We have good trade bait to make swings for good players.

Laine is likely going to sign here. I think he embraces the challenge here. All of his quotes in the Finnish media have been positive about his experience here and as we know in his past I don't think he'd mince words.

There's a lot to complain about here. Valid things. Worrying about Laine right now is not one of them right now IMO.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Still waiting for the roof to blow off

I think they meant that the walls would cave in and the floor would collapse. Or something like that.

 

[Bruce Granville]

The doom and gloom for no reason is agonizing.

Bjorkstrand is a first liner. Laine is as well. We're missing a center.

We have cap space and some prospects. We have picks, and an aggressive GM. We have good trade bait to make swings for good players.

Laine is likely going to sign here. I think he embraces the challenge here. All of his quotes in the Finnish media have been positive about his experience here and as we know in his past I don't think he'd mince words.

There's a lot to complain about here. Valid things. Worrying about Laine right now is not one of them right now IMO.

If he signs, it will be an overpayment.
Like Eichel did in Buffalo or even McDavid in Edmonton.
Both knew, they would not win anything. Both took the money.
Before Laine signs long term, CBJ need to sign Werenski and Jones.

Bjork is only first liner because he plays 1st line?
No other team in the league would play him on the 1st line.

And if you want to keep your top pair D‘s and Laine and sign your prospects you have no cap space.
You should hope that Seattle takes Elvis, because the goalie market isn‘t that hot either.

 

[VT]

If he signs, it will be an overpayment.
Like Eichel did in Buffalo or even McDavid in Edmonton.
Both knew, they would not win anything. Both took the money.
Before Laine signs long term, CBJ need to sign Werenski and Jones.

Bjork is only first liner because he plays 1st line?
No other team in the league would play him on the 1st line.

And if you want to keep your top pair D‘s and Laine and sign your prospects you have no cap space.
You should hope that Seattle takes Elvis, because the goalie market isn‘t that hot either.

Laine is out of contract after this season, and Jones and Werenski are out of contract after the next, so we'll have to talk to him first.

EDIT: You can change / not extend several players. For example Savard, Harrington in defense, Nash (personally, I like him, I would not want him to leave), Grigorenko in offense. In the worst case, you can not extend Foligno. It could be $15 333 333. And someone from Atkinson/Nyquist (I wouldn`t it). Atkinson - $ 5 875 000, Nyquist - $5 500 000. I would be $21 208 333/$20 833 333.
If everyone wants $10 million, then the difference between salaries today and then would be $14 605 000.

 

[KJ Dangler]

If he signs, it will be an overpayment.
Like Eichel did in Buffalo or even McDavid in Edmonton.
Both knew, they would not win anything. Both took the money.
Before Laine signs long term, CBJ need to sign Werenski and Jones.

Bjork is only first liner because he plays 1st line?
No other team in the league would play him on the 1st line.

And if you want to keep your top pair D‘s and Laine and sign your prospects you have no cap space.
You should hope that Seattle takes Elvis, because the goalie market isn‘t that hot either.

Bjork is definitely a first line talent , his production is being held back by Torts system . Rarely do they ever set up their shooters . We are seeing that play out with Laine , only it’s magnified due to his status .

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If he signs, it will be an overpayment.
Like Eichel did in Buffalo or even McDavid in Edmonton.
Both knew, they would not win anything. Both took the money.
Before Laine signs long term, CBJ need to sign Werenski and Jones.

Bjork is only first liner because he plays 1st line?
No other team in the league would play him on the 1st line.

And if you want to keep your top pair D‘s and Laine and sign your prospects you have no cap space.
You should hope that Seattle takes Elvis, because the goalie market isn‘t that hot either.

Yeah I’m sure Edmonton and Buffalo really regret those contracts.

Come on now. It’s not an overpayment for those two. He hasn’t even gotten paid yet. Will we have to pony up around 10 million for him? Yeah probably. Should we? Yup.

Jones and Laine will be signed this summer. Werenski next. If some won’t negotiate, you trade them.

Keeping the D and Laine and your prospects sounds like good spending to me. Cap space is useless if you don’t use it.

Elvis is exempt from the draft

 

[majormajor]

Yeah I’m sure Edmonton and Buffalo really regret those contracts.

Come on now. It’s not an overpayment for those two. He hasn’t even gotten paid yet. Will we have to pony up around 10 million for him? Yeah probably. Should we? Yup.

Jones and Laine will be signed this summer. Werenski next. If some won’t negotiate, you trade them.

Keeping the D and Laine and your prospects sounds like good spending to me. Cap space is useless if you don’t use it.

Elvis is exempt from the draft

I should have stopped reading when people put Laine in the same convo as Eichel and McDavid. He's not a $10m player, at least not yet.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I should have stopped reading when people put Laine in the same convo as Eichel and McDavid. He's not a $10m player, at least not yet.

Doesnt mean he’s not going to ask for it