Is Laine a right handed defenseman?

Ranking of top forwards in NHL by some scribes:

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-nhl-forwards/c-319823812

13 journalists were asked to each provide a list of their top 16 forwards. There was remarkable unanimity in the list of names. Collectively, the lists could have had 208 names, but actually had just 33.

Flyers had just one member there: Couts, ranked the last (#33). Just one of the 13 journalists had him as a top 16 forward, and the guy who did, Dan Rosen, had him as the last one on his list.

I think he has an uphill battle to be in the starting lineup for opening night. I don't think Gustafsson's acquisition boded well for Gostisbehere getting back in the starting lineup off the bat, even though Chuck Fletcher has said that he'd be comfortable with both in the same lineup.
- bmeltzer

Well, Chuck is the only one comfortable with that sort of line up.

I don’t think Sandin is a center.
- Djapana

I think you’re right. Thought I saw he was somewhere.

Ranking of top forwards in NHL by some scribes:

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-nhl-forwards/c-319823812

13 journalists were asked to each provide a list of their top 16 forwards. There was remarkable unanimity in the list of names. Collectively, the lists could have had 208 names, but actually had just 33.

Flyers had just one member there: Couts, ranked the last (#33). Just one of the 13 journalists had him as a top 16 forward, and the guy who did, Dan Rosen, had him as the last one on his list.
- PT21

our team is (frank)ed

It's done. TK, Myers and York going the other way. Can't wait.

They are still working on the Fortnite clause in the contract. Its section 15. That is the Force Majeure.



Laine, being Finnish, is of course going to have a chip on his shoulder about being part of a team with so many Swedes on the roster. He will be even more pissed about a contract that has a Swedish film as a clause, excellent though the film is.

(frank) him.
- PT21

The flyers should not do the above deal. The jets I’m guessing would in a heartbeat.

You said he is not guaranteed a spot? How are you in a position to state that unless you are privy to information others are not?
- Striiker

Is this a joke? Are you being this silly because you think its funny? You know why I know he isn't guaranteed a spot in the top 12? Because I use common sense. You seem to be convinced otherwise so state your case.

My case is that is is coming over here on a one year FA contract that is worth
$792,500. If for some reason you have inside information that he is guaranteed a spot please share. Otherwise I will draw on years and years of precedent that tell me that a guy like that is rarely guaranteed a spot in any NHL lineup and I challenge you to show me other players that will disprove my educated guess.

The flyers should not do the above deal. The jets I’m guessing would in a heartbeat.
- Peter Richards

Yes they would. That deal would be insane and Fletch should be fired immediately if it ever happened.

Is this a joke? Are you being this silly because you think its funny. You know why I know he isn't guaranteed a spot in the top 12? Because I use common sense. You seem to be convinced otherwise so state your case.

My case is that is is coming over here on a one year FA contract that is worth
$792,500. If for some reason you have inside information that he is guaranteed a spot please share. Otherwise I will draw on years and years of precedent that tell me that a guy like that is rarely guaranteed a spot in any NHL lineup and I challenge you to show me other players that will disprove my educated guess.
- MBFlyerfan

Well if your using common sense put yourself in his shoes. You think he is going to come here on a 1 year deal to play in the AHL? He can stay at home while making more money. He was signed to be on this roster.

Also since your taking educated guesses do you think he had any interest from other NHL teams?

Now if he looks out of place or is passed over internally then all bets are off. Based on how he has played this year I don't see that happening. He has a spot to lose; using common sense and all. If he does lose it he will head back to Europe more than likely.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by a guy like that? Is it a guy like raffle? OR is it a guy like someone else.

Well if your using common sense put yourself in his shoes. You think he is going to come here on a 1 year deal to play in the AHL? He can stay at home while making more money. He was signed to be on this roster.

Also since your taking educated guesses do you think he had any interest from other NHL teams?

Now if he looks out of place or is passed over internally then all bets are off. Based on how he has played this year I don't see that happening. He has a spot to lose; using common sense and all. If he does lose it he will head back to Europe more than likely.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by a guy like that? Is it a guy like raffle? OR is it a guy like someone else.
- Striiker

A guy like that meaning his contract amount. You seem to be convinced he is guaranteed a spot. I don't think its a guarantee. Agree to disagree.

All that being said if he makes the team all the better.

Yes they would. That deal would be insane and Fletch should be fired immediately if it ever happened.
- MBFlyerfan

Glad I’m not the only one.

We all know how this is going to turn out. Ghost will get in when there is an injury and either A.) get limited minutes on a 5-6 pair role or B.) put on an appropriate pairing with PP time and play well until he commits a bad giveaway with the puck and put in the doghouse.

It's going to take some time for Ghost to get his confidence back. That's not gonna happen if he "earns" a spot and then is subsequently benched due to a bad decision or two. Personally, and needless to say I'm not the coach or have any experience coaching, but I give him a long look with a looser rope than usual to give him an honest chance at getting back to his former self. Because if he does, that is a tremendous weapon for this team.
- StepfordSam

I think he should get the same leeway as other, Braun and Hagg, though Braun has the RD thing going on. Is Ghost worse than Hagg or is it that more is expected from Ghost and Hagg just has to be a non factor.

Well if your using common sense put yourself in his shoes. You think he is going to come here on a 1 year deal to play in the AHL? He can stay at home while making more money. He was signed to be on this roster.

Also since your taking educated guesses do you think he had any interest from other NHL teams?

Now if he looks out of place or is passed over internally then all bets are off. Based on how he has played this year I don't see that happening. He has a spot to lose; using common sense and all. If he does lose it he will head back to Europe more than likely.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by a guy like that? Is it a guy like raffle? OR is it a guy like someone else.
- Striiker

It’s a one year prove it deal. That’s it. This happens often with top performers in other leagues. No the guy who was not drafted and has not played in NA is not guaranteed a spot. His numbers in the shl weren’t terrible, but compare it to lindblom

If Laine is still available after the expansion draft I re-explore it. Right now there’s too many variables in play between the looming expansion draft, not knowing who is stepping up on defense this year, and Nolan Patrick to make the move.

As much as I’d like to trade for him there’s not a realistic move that makes much sense for both teams right now.

A guy like that meaning his contract amount. You seem to be convinced he is guaranteed a spot. I don't think its a guarantee. Agree to disagree.

All that being said if he makes the team all the better.
- MBFlyerfan

His options to me are he will be on the roster or head home. Even if there is an AHL season I do not see him playing there. His contract even makes it more palatable that he will be on the team.

It's done. TK, Myers and York going the other way. Can't wait.

They are still working on the Fortnite clause in the contract. Its section 15. That is the Force Majeure.



Laine, being Finnish, is of course going to have a chip on his shoulder about being part of a team with so many Swedes on the roster. He will be even more pissed about a contract that has a Swedish film as a clause, excellent though the film is.

(frank) him.
- PT21

swap myers with ghost and it's a done deal

Glad I’m not the only one.
- Peter Richards

I was kidding. That's a silly deal. I wouldn't do Laine for TK alone, given the disparity in likely contracts.

His options to me are he will be on the roster or head home. Even if there is an AHL season I do not see him playing there. His contract even makes it more palatable that he will be on the team.


- Striiker

If patty is healthy then maybe NAK sits. But if patty isn’t the need is at center. But could also see a rotation and injuries will get him in. A lot of players have to adjust after coming over. More often then not they are done after one year. Pyorala, Roman lub, thoresen,medeved. Of the ones I can remember from the last 19 years raffl was the only one that stayed.

Ranking of top forwards in NHL by some scribes:

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-nhl-forwards/c-319823812

13 journalists were asked to each provide a list of their top 16 forwards. There was remarkable unanimity in the list of names. Collectively, the lists could have had 208 names, but actually had just 33.

Flyers had just one member there: Couts, ranked the last (#33). Just one of the 13 journalists had him as a top 16 forward, and the guy who did, Dan Rosen, had him as the last one on his list.
- PT21

He is lower than some others and doesn’t deserve to be. My take is his lack of flash. But being a top shutdown center that puts up 70 points a year. Yeah no respect. He shuts down most of those players on a nightly basis. I think he is 4 th in the league of 5v5 scoring over the last few years. And at this point I feel he passed Bergeron as best defensive center in the game.

His options to me are he will be on the roster or head home. Even if there is an AHL season I do not see him playing there. His contract even makes it more palatable that he will be on the team.


- Striiker

All this is true. So tell me how me saying he isn't guaranteed a spot is wrong.

I was kidding. That's a silly deal. I wouldn't do Laine for TK alone, given the disparity in likely contracts.
- PT21

Of course you were.

Here is some perspective as well for those who would advocate for such a deal.

Over the last two seasons:

Laine 150 gp, 58 g, 55 a, 113 pts, -16, .753 ppg.
TK 148 gp, 48 g, 62 a, 110 pts, -5, .743 ppg.

TK is better defensively imo. I wouldn't trade him for Laine straight up let alone with another asset. Especially given what TK's contract is compared to what Laine will demand.

He is lower than some others and doesn’t deserve to be. My take is his lack of flash. But being a top shutdown center that puts up 70 points a year. Yeah no respect. He shuts down most of those players on a nightly basis. I think he is 4 th in the league of 5v5 scoring over the last few years. And at this point I feel he passed Bergeron as best defensive center in the game.
- Peter Richards

Its always interesting to see how others view your own players. Fans always overvalue their stars and undervalue their busts.

But otoh you are undoubtedly correct about the "inertia" factor. Certain players keep getting voted into top lists and all star games and pro bowls and the like purely because of past reputation.

What he needs to vault into the top 10 is a dominant post-season. I hope he can channel his inner Primeau. We have seen flashes of that. I think he has that in him.

What do you think of sliding the wingers up/down?

Lindblom-Couturier-TK
Giroux-Hayes-Voracek

rest as before.

All this is true. So tell me how me saying he isn't guaranteed a spot is wrong.
- MBFlyerfan

Stop entertaining this stupidity lol

If patty is healthy then maybe NAK sits. But if patty isn’t the need is at center. But could also see a rotation and injuries will get him in. A lot of players have to adjust after coming over. More often then not they are done after one year. Pyorala, Roman lub, thoresen,medeved. Of the ones I can remember from the last 19 years raffl was the only one that stayed.
- Peter Richards

the hard part is the if is all season, even IF he plays he could be 1 hit away from not playing, planning for that is difficult

Of course you were.

Here is some perspective as well for those who would advocate for such a deal.

Over the last two seasons:

Laine 150 gp, 58 g, 55 a, 113 pts, -16, .753 ppg.
TK 148 gp, 48 g, 62 a, 110 pts, -5, .743 ppg.

TK is better defensively imo. I wouldn't trade him for Laine straight up let alone with another asset. Especially given what TK's contract is compared to what Laine will demand.
- MBFlyerfan

How do they compare to each other in the playoffs?