Literally the only response I ever see from anyone defending Laine is "but goals."
Yes, his goal scoring is very impressive. T-2nd in goals over the past 3 years. He's also T-132nd in OT goals over that time (1), T-16th in GWG, T-158 in assists, T-41 in points, T-175th in primary assists over that time (just 33!). He doesn't PK, doesn't play a two-way game, doesn't take faceoffs, is a pedestrian hitter, isn't a game breaker, isn't an elite skater, and most of this stuff matches the eye test.
He came into the NHL and his shot tore up the NHL at even strength. Very impressive. The next year, his goal total increased slightly, but his even strength goals dropped while his PPG skyrocketed. Now, his even strength goals are dropping further but his powerplay goals are now as well.
He's scored in just 15/54 games this season.
He's scored 18/25 of his goals against just 4 teams.
I'm not a "what have you done for me lately" person when it comes to Laine (or anyone else for that matter). I felt the same about him in the prior two years as I do know. The only reason why I'm voicing my opinion now is because his contract is up and never at any point has he made me think he deserved to be a top paid player in the NHL.
Very nice, well-researched post.
I will be honest, I was completely blown away by Laine in his rookie year, watching his awesome shot. His release is/was nothing short of elite and he is/was poised to take over for Ovechkin as the premier goal scorer on the planet.
That said, when I watched him last year in the playoffs, I was very concerned by what I saw. He looked like a player who was strictly content with relying on his shot, even though the results weren't there. Outside of firing bombs, his compete level was not there. He rarely hustled, and even more concerning, he would lose practically all of his one-on-one battles, and in most cases to smaller opponents. He was just being out-hustled. At times in the Conference Finals he looked flat-out disinterested.
This season has been a wacky one for Laine and it sticks out to me even more because it is on the heels of a disappointing playoffs. I don't know how a player as talented as Laine can go game after game with zero points and only muster 11 assists in 58 games - that's absolutely horrific for a high-end player.
Laine has the size, hands, and obviously the shot, but he often floats and just sleepwalks through games as if he's hoping to get a couple of chances to light the lamp with his shot. This is all very concerning if we're being totally honest, and I'm a Laine fan.
I'm hoping that we're not looking at another Thomas Vanek - a player who burst out of the gate scoring oodles of goals, then rounding into a very nice (but never elite) player because he was content with his contact and niche as a "goal scorer." Granted, Laine and Vanek get their goals in different fashion, but truly elite players find ways to impact a game when they are not scoring goals - Laine does not.
Each game I think to myself, "THIS is the game Laine breaks out, scores 4 and the floodgates open" and it doesn't happen.
As great as a "team" that the Jets are, you wonder if they were to trade Laine for a monster package, if they could win a Cup or two over the next 4 years. I'm talking Laine for a couple of steady, impact pieces, like when the Flyers traded a superstar in Recchi to Montreal for LeClair and Desjardins.
