Odd. Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Quote Chris Johnston@reporterchrisAugust 16, 2019, 1:14 PM LAHTI, Finland — Patrik Laine says contract talks with the Winnipeg Jets have been non-existent all summer and he isn’t sure what it means for his future with the team. As one of several prominent NHL restricted free agents still without a new deal, the sniper is currently entering the late stages of summer training under a cloud of uncertainty. Speaking before the Finnish Alumni All-Star Game about an hour north of Helsinki, Laine told Sportsnet that he’s confident he’ll be playing "somewhere" next season. He just doesn’t know if that somewhere will be Winnipeg. "Well you never know. It’s still business, you’ve got to be prepared for anything," Laine said Friday. "But yeah, you never know where you’re going to play next year so I’m just prepared for anything." The response was open-ended enough that it begged an obvious follow-up: Does he still want to play for the Jets? "Well I’ve got nothing bad to say about Winnipeg, you know? It’s been good so far. But you never know, so that’s kind of my comments." The Jets have felt the salary cap squeeze more than most this summer. They also have RFA forward Kyle Connor still unsigned — he and Laine combined for 64 goals last year — and already waved goodbye to defencemen Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot, plus winger Brandon Tanev. Laine is coming off a season that featured more peaks and valleys than his first two in Winnipeg, but still boasts impressive credentials. The second overall pick from 2016 has scored more goals (110) since entering the NHL than all but five players: Alex Ovechkin (133), Nikita Kucherov (120), Connor McDavid (112), John Tavares (112) and Auston Matthews (111). He also compiled those numbers before celebrating his 21st birthday. Laine’s 30-goal season came after he hit 44 and 36 as a sophomore and rookie, but he believes it included strides in other facets of his play. "I learned when I’m scoring I’m scoring a lot and when it’s not going well, I’ve just got to stay with it," said Laine. "Still, even though you’re not scoring, there’s so many things you can do well for your team and I think that’s the most important thing." The six-foot-four winger has devoted extra effort towards making improvements with his skating during off-season workouts. He noted that there’s been more time in the gym after Winnipeg made a first-round exit against St. Louis in the spring. "I’ve been kind of working on everything, especially explosiveness and being quicker on the ice," said Laine. "I think I’ve made some really good progress during the summer and I think I’ve been skating a lot more this year than I’ve been in the past. "So that’s kind of been new to me and hopefully that works next year." Laine works out in Turku during the summer as part of a group that includes Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, another high-end RFA still without a contract. The two have compared notes about their respective situations throughout the last couple months. However, with the opening of training camps now less than four weeks away, Laine is clearly wondering when the dialogue will pick up between his camp and Jets management. He says he’ll remain in Europe until he has a new contract. "I’m not stressed. I’m not worrying about that at all," said Laine. "I know that I’ve done my job as well as I can over these three years, so I know I’m going to play somewhere next year. So that’s something I’m not thinking about too much. "Hopefully we get it done in the next couple months and be ready when the puck drops." https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/patrik-laine-prepared-anything-future-winnipeg-uncertain/?fbclid=IwAR3bi08Yysbn94KdUWwNi4xTMRJ_jqC84uOscA5k_0VmnrLWCLPBz1Ke_VM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PhillipBlunt Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2019 Chevaldayoff was a good GM at some point, right? The Jets window is really close to slamming shut. 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PhillipBlunt Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2019 1 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester13 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 In before the Boeser for Laine suggestion(s). 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Laine for Pool Party 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bure_Pavel Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Laine will get paid Jets cant afford not too, unless they trade him for a kings ransom. They dont have the luxury of waiting until the season starts either as I believe it messes up his cap hit for the fist year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucker 67 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Sounds like Laine could care less, he knows he'll be paid many millions wherever he ends up. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 6 minutes ago, Bure_Pavel said: Laine will get paid Jets cant afford not too, unless they trade him for a kings ransom. They dont have the luxury of waiting until the season starts either as I believe it messes up his cap hit for the fist year. Exactly. And if they do trade him, they’ll get a ton in return. Either way, both sides will win out. Traded or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownky Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 He disappears way too much to command top dollar. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 8 minutes ago, Bure_Pavel said: Laine will get paid Jets cant afford not too, unless they trade him for a kings ransom. They dont have the luxury of waiting until the season starts either as I believe it messes up his cap hit for the fist year. Honestly, they don't need a king's ransom. He's invisible for 70% of their games. If they can recoup some picks and maybe get a decent young guy with upside to fill in the bottom 6 they'll be okay. It'll also allow them the financial flexibility to keep more important players. Guy had 25ish goals in the first 20 games then pretty much goose egg'd the rest of the season. His stats are misleading to his value to the team. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PhillipBlunt Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2019 7 minutes ago, Monty said: Exactly. And if they do trade him, they’ll get a ton in return. Either way, both sides will win out. Traded or not. KInda like how they got a ton for Trouba? 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Just now, PhillipBlunt said: KInda like how they got a ton for Trouba? Much different situation, genius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PhillipBlunt Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2019 5 minutes ago, Monty said: Much different situation, genius. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Just now, PhillipBlunt said: I’m sorry, I’m confused. Do you really not understand the difference between the two? If not, I’m not sure I can actually explain it to you, because you’re obviously touched, then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancaster Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 If he is to be trade, he will definitely get a king's ransom. Sure, he disappears, is inconsistent, etc. But he does have the physical tool and talent that every team is looking for. Plus, he's only 21, he still has lots of time to "get it" to reach the next level towards superstardom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post theo5789 Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2019 Laine for Reinhart and Ristolainen. Buffalo gets potentially an elite 1st line winger. Winnipeg's gets their elusive 2nd line center and an RD that they need. Cost of Laine will be close to cap of Reinhart and Ristolainen. 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekey Pete Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Not a great sign when one of your star players doesn't really know if he'll play in Winnipeg next season... yikes what is going on with that franchise lately. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabychStache Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Carolina should make a pitch for him and Pullijarvi! Reunite that lethal Finnish trio. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PhillipBlunt Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 16, 2019 3 minutes ago, Monty said: I’m sorry, I’m confused. Do you really not understand the difference between the two? If not, I’m not sure I can actually explain it to you, because you’re obviously touched, then. It's alright, champ. I understand that the circumstances surrounding Trouba were different than Laine. Trouba didn't want to be in Winnipeg, and I have sneaking suspicion that Laine doesn't either. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillipBlunt Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 4 minutes ago, The Sedge said: Not a great sign when one of your star players doesn't really know if he'll play in Winnipeg next season... yikes what is going on with that franchise lately. It's headed to Quebec City. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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