Eklund: Patrick Laine's Stock Going "Through the Roof" Teams Calling Jets.

I asked if Patrik has yet to catch Matthews and the source said, "No, but he is absolutely starting to get the old 'generational tag' connected to him...

So if he hasn't yet caught up to matthews but is getting the generational tag then Matthews must be a generational prospect.

That is becoming such a over used term.

Laine has looked better this whole year. Good thing both of them are going to Canada.

Laine has looked better this whole year. Good thing both of them are going to Canada.
- fry

It's great. It's a slam dunk toronto takes Matthews and the Peg is crazy if they trade number two. Just blog fodder for hits.

I'm sure teams were calling since the draft lotto, but can't see any of the top 3 teams moving those picks.

The guys are looking good at the tournament considering their ages.

Good for Toronto and Winnipeg especially. Can't see the Leafs unhappy with Matthews or Winnipeg less than thrilled about getting Laine.

Good times.

It's not generational when there is 2 of them a year...

People suck at language.

To me McDavid is generational, Matthews, Eichel, likely Laine and others are all just great players. If people are going to call top prospects from every draft class generational then they need to come up with a new term to differentiate the Crosby's, And Mcdavid's.

Anyways, if Winnipeg trades that pick they're fools. Yes they have a good lot of prospects, but take Laine and move one of the others if they feel the need to acquire something.

To me McDavid is generational, Matthews, Eichel, likely Laine and others are all just great players. If people are going to call top prospects from every draft class generational then they need to come up with a new term to differentiate the Crosby's, And Mcdavid's.

Anyways, if Winnipeg trades that pick they're fools. Yes they have a good lot of prospects, but take Laine and move one of the others if they feel the need to acquire something.
- ehabs9

I liken Matthews to a Tavares, not a Crosby or McDavid.

Still an awesome player to have that every team would want.

Laine for McDavid + Nurse + 4th overall pick + conditional 7th round pick in 2018

lol

THe old generational tag isn't so it. It appeared last year.

Source close to...Ek it's cool that you frequently talk to your mother - it makes a you a good man - but your momma is not close to any NHL franchises.

I liken Matthews to a Tavares, not a Crosby or McDavid.

Still an awesome player to have that every team would want.
- Mashadar

Yeah you can't put any player in the Crosby/M.C. David(my new rapper name btw).

I think Malkin and Ovechkin are in that generational talent conversation too. But you know, they are commies and must spread their talent around to other non NHL events. Wait that made no sense...

I respectfully disagree. None of McDavid, Matthews, Eichel or Laine can be called generational talents at this point. They all show promise. McDavid has had two injury scarred seasons in a row. To make an assumption that he will become one of the best players in the league immediately - might be a bit presumptuous. Assuming he will be significantly better than the other three players - is only speculation. We will have to wait and see. How they develop will be a product of them, their respective teams and how they are coached and managed.

The Blues have proved you can go far in the playoffs (WCF) with a deep team. The Jets have a (for lack of a better word) deep prospect pool, which would improve with Laine. They should select him and build off of what they already have.

You have all these "sources" all over the world that are so connected to teams yet you couldn't get a trade right even after it happens

I respectfully disagree. None of McDavid, Matthews, Eichel or Laine can be called generational talents at this point. They all show promise. McDavid has had two injury scarred seasons in a row. To make an assumption that he will become one of the best players in the league immediately - might be a bit presumptuous. Assuming he will be significantly better than the other three players - is only speculation. We will have to wait and see. How they develop will be a product of them, their respective teams and how they are coached and managed.
- winsix

He's already one of the best players in the league. At barely 19.
Don't bother with semantics, it's just a fact

U can say the injury hurts his chances of winning the Calder. That's fine. But it doesn't hurt what he's done and shown when playing


Crosbys had 4 injury plagued seasons and 3 in a row. Didn't change how good he is then or afterward

He's already one of the best players in the league. At barely 19.
Don't bother with semantics, it's just a fact

U can say the injury hurts his chances of winning the Calder. That's fine. But it doesn't hurt what he's done and shown when playing
- HB77

Agreed.

The dude averaged over a point a game coming into the league as an 18 year-old; playing over a half a season.

List of guys who have done that is pretty short.

Foolish if Peg trades that pick. When you get lucky you don't gamble that luck to get lucky again...

You gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em...

Agreed.

The dude averaged over a point a game coming into the league as an 18 year-old; playing over a half a season.

List of guys who have done that is pretty short.
- Tumbleweed

Oh totally

His ability to reach ludicrous top speed/close large gaps in two steps while blowing by even elite defenders, as well as what he can do with the puck at that speed, is something I had never seen before.

And after years of struggles, I was very hesitant to claim on the next oiler kid. But he's on a whole other level and even better than I hoped

You have all these "sources" all over the world that are so connected to teams yet you couldn't get a trade right even after it happens
- sliprock65

I think we all know he doesn't. I don't know why Ek continues to talk sources when all he has to do is manage this site and have his opinions etc. this is a good place to go for hockey players to talk to other hockey players that root for the same team you like and also talk to fans from other teams.

It's not a place if you are truly looking for valid rumours from reliable sources.

Generational would be 1.5x to 2x the points of a superstar player (just 1 metric to go by). The 1 thing to notice is that Canadian players get a lot more hype than non Canadian with the "Generational" tag, so take that with a grain of salt. When was a nonCrosby or McDavid ever called generational? Dont think even Ovi got that tag back then, and he'd probably qualify (looking back).

Either way, if Winnipeg trades their pick, the townspeople should reach for their pitchforks imo.

I dont think 1-2-3 are tradeable this year, but Columbus might surprise.

Laine for McDavid + Nurse + 4th overall pick + conditional 7th round pick in 2018
- AlfieisKing

Good one...

You really suck at this.

I think that's a legit offer for this generational talent.

To me McDavid is generational, Matthews, Eichel, likely Laine and others are all just great players. If people are going to call top prospects from every draft class generational then they need to come up with a new term to differentiate the Crosby's, And Mcdavid's.

Anyways, if Winnipeg trades that pick they're fools. Yes they have a good lot of prospects, but take Laine and move one of the others if they feel the need to acquire something.
- ehabs9

They are all 18, how do you know what they will and will not be?

The hype around Laine is getting ridiculous this kid is going to have a lot of pressure

Toronto should swap with Winnipeg draft Laine, get something else for swapping and I hate to say it sign stamkos. Thats a good start to a line