This is exactly why general manager Jarmo Kekalainen went out of his way to acquire countryman Patrik Laine in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade. The superstar has finally arrived. 13 points in his last 7 games, and playing like an all around machine on the offensive front in the Union Blue uniforms. He is doing every single thing right, from setting up defenders, to get the puck past the goaltenders he is facing nightly. It could be his best run since his rookie season in the Matthews v him with the Canadian introduction
Money may be the motivation, and with them paying every dollar for Werenski, why not continue the momentum with his big new deal? Him supporting Johnson or Sillinger could be lethal as they continue to upward projections into the league. It could be a dynamic duo. The core of guys in their prime could become a wagon around him, and could help him see more opportunity in Columbus compared to other markets around the league.
Additionally, the thought of him as a power forward seems to have disappeared, proving he is a complete playmaker, though more of a natural goal scorer than anything else.
Thoughts?