From superstardom to possible last chance!
Photo credit: The Boston Globe
The Montreal Canadiens made one of the bigger trades this offseason, acquiring Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
2016 was a good year for draft selections for Canadian teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs got the first overall pick, followed by the Winnipeg Jets at 2nd overall, followed by Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary at 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Montreal and Ottawa didn't face much better selecting 8th and 10th. All eyes were on Toronto and Winnipeg, and the debate between Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine.
Now which is certain what the right choice was. Matthews was named the next captain of the Maple Leafs, while Laine has just been traded for a former third-round pick, and Columbus even had to offer even more in the deal. There was a time, where people were seriously debating Matthews vs. Laine.
"There are legitimate counterpoints, and I would not fault any team for preferring Matthews. There are risks with Laine. Laine's lack of complete game and Matthews' extra season of proving himself - and doing so at an extremely high level - lower the risk on his projection. He could be one of the game's best players and a centerpiece center for a decade. But I think Laine at the very least has a chance to be something special, and I'd almost always take a chance on special." - Corey Pronman
In the eyes of some the debate came down to as little as Matthews being a centre and Laine being a winger. If Laine was a centre, there was a good chance he could have selected with the first overall pick. Either way, it was a debate many people assumed we would be having for years and years to come.
Laine's first year as a Jet, it looked like the two players were close. In Laine's rookie season, he scored 36 goals and 64 points in 73 games. Pretty close to Matthews' 40 goals and 69 points in 82 games. Matthews got the nod for rookie of the year with the Calder.
Next season Laine stepped up again, beating his goal and point total for his rookie year, while playing in all 82 games for the Jets. It was a statistically a better year than Matthews, who missed 20 games due to injury, and all seemed to be going the way everyone predicted in 2016.
Unfortunately, that would be the peak of Laine's career for now. His production went down 14 goals and 20 points in the same amount of games. After which saw himself looking at lowered playing time and head butting with then head coach Paul Maurice.
Laine was eventually traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for fellow 2016 selection, third overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois. It was clear that both young players needed a change of scenery.
Laine's time in Columbus was odd to say the least. He hasn't played more than 56 games in a single season as a Blue Jacket, however, his numbers while he plays have been pretty great. His first full season in Columbus he scored 56 points in 56 games, and was just 3 points below a point-per-game in his next season.
Last season was basically a wash. Laine only played 18 games, due to a myriad of injuries and off ice issues, and it was clear once again that Laine needed a change of scenery.
Laine since which has been trade again this time to the Montreal Canadiens. once again looking to re-jump start his career. With already being on his 3rd team in just seven seasons under his belt, the concerns are with all the talent Laine possesses will he even reach his full potential. Or is the once touted player just going to become just another role player. Only time can tell.
| POLL | ||
26 AOUT | 90 ANSWERS From superstardom to possible last chance! Will Patrik Laine ever reach his full potential? | ||
| YES | 25 | 27.8 % |
| NO | 65 | 72.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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