We now know that Patrik Laine didn’t stay in Winnipeg even though to me it looked like he’d stay.
Now with his new team the Columbus Blue Jackets I hope Laine gets new opportunties. Laine has game-breaking talent. If you don’t know yet the bin Fin has one of the best shots in the game (I’d argue the best) and he’s scored a phenomenal rate since he broke into the league as an 18 year old.
One aspect of his game that hasn’t been utilized is his end-to-end ability. In the NHL players aren’t often given the opportunity to try to take it on there own into the opposing teams zones. The only player that comes to mind is Connor McDavid. It would be hard for any coach to stop McDavid since he creates constant full-ice rushes with his beyond generational speed and quickness. Laine doesn’t have the quickness (although his top level speed is elite) of McDavid and not many in the history of the league do. But Patrik does have a combination and speed, stick-handling and shiftiness that he can use to go end to end.
Again, you won’t see this often in the NHL because of how the game is played. Coaches and teams don’t want to get beat on the other end and giving players a shot at taking it in themselves is frowned upon.
That should change.
If one player goes it alone and coughs up the puck you may be at a slight 5 on 4 disadvantage till the player gets back. But the rewards of giving a talented level of Laine’s caliber a shot are enormous. Goals are often hard to come by any using this tactic sparingly could be a boon for a team that elects to give it a shot. There are few players that have the skill. Laine has it. There aren’t many examples of him trying (he did more often earlier in his short career) because he’s been on a team that as like most of the league doesn’t elect to try it.
If Laine was set-up to attempt an end-to-end rush a handful of times each game the Blue Jackets could be greatly rewarded. Laine as well.
But possibly most importantly it would be excited for the fans. We watch the NHL to watch the most talented players in the world play and but those talents on display. In hockey one of the most exciting plays in the end-to-end rush.
