Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
I don't get the 'doesn't show signs of improvement' thing I keep hearing?
He's doing exactly what he's been asked to do.... work on his defensive game. He's done that at the expense of being a sniper or an aggressive forward like we are used to seeing from him. He got back to that in the playoffs, but if Maurice wants him to play better defence and with less TOI and on a line with no chemistry, then that's not on Laine. He's just doing what he's told. I actually think he was a pretty good student this year. He is more physical, winning a lot of board battles, while still scoring at a pretty good clip.
Again, we will never know but at least all parties involved in the contract talks will know.
He's not moving any better than he was since he entered the league. Heck, you put Laine from WJC and Laine in 18/19 side by side and one could argue the WJC version looks quicker. I don't know how that's possible.
Just because he's doing the things his coach asks him to do doesn't dismiss that fact. Basically there's been no "damn, he looks good out there" feel after any summer.
He's tried to adapt to fix some holes in his game but he hasn't acquired any new tools to work with so to speak, besides maybe being a tad stronger.
He played with every top 6 guy on the team this past season. TOI and chemistry are excuses at this point. You earn your ice time by forcing the coaches hand. Every winger got their chance to play on the top line and Connor/Ehlers did better there. That's not Maurice's fault.
And what you say about doing it at the expense of offense is exactly the issue. As Laine spends energy to play committed defense he's giving up on offense. With better skating and endurance, suddenly that becomes less of a problem. There's way too many times potential plays die due to Laine standing still waiting to get back on the bench, instead of creating something.
It's also amazing what it does when you manage to play at a higher pace. Suddenly, you might gain some chemistry with the guys on the team.
I appreciate his willingness to do what his coach is telling him to do but i know that won't make him the offensive player he could be. The only thing that will help is him becoming a better athlete.