Thank God we don't have to worry about acquiring laine now!

Did they ? All fancy stats, expected wins, and analysts seem to point to the opposite. Traded one guy who wasn't playing for the team and a long disgruntled scoring winger who dogs it defensively for a young budding elite 2 way center.
- Tfaehner

I don't think they did. They have Stastny, who is the last year of his deal at 35 at center. They just added a players who is already at a 2nd line center level who is 22 and can blossom. Center is a more important position. Laine in my opinion is an overrated player.

Yea it’s really head scratching, how do you not get a signed player. Laine is UFa as well? Unless they flip Laine, idk. Couldn’t be too happy if you are a blue jackets fan.
- ClaudeFather

Rfa.

Did they ? All fancy stats, expected wins, and analysts seem to point to the opposite. Traded one guy who wasn't playing for the team and a long disgruntled scoring winger who dogs it defensively for a young budding elite 2 way center.
- Tfaehner

I don’t think Dubois is elite... he has his moments but he hasn’t exactly showed that on a regular basis. Laine scores goals, is a more physical player then Dubois, although both aren’t that physical. I would take Laine over him all day...even if a C is considered more valuable. As far as dogging it..Dubois has done enough of that as well, he’s been embarrassing at times with his lack of engagement. Throw in Roslovic ? To me it’s an ass raping.

Yea it’s really head scratching, how do you not get a signed player. Laine is UFa as well? Unless they flip Laine, idk. Couldn’t be too happy if you are a blue jackets fan.
- ClaudeFather

He’s an RFA next year.

I don’t think Dubois is elite... he has his moments but he hasn’t exactly showed that on a regular basis. Laine scores goals, is a more physical player then Dubois, although both aren’t that physical. I would take Laine over him all day...even if a C is considered more valuable. As far as dogging it..Dubois has done enough of that as well, he’s been embarrassing at times with his lack of engagement. Throw in Roslovic ? To me it’s an ass raping.
- landros 2

"Budding" elite center. Hes already a 2c. And hes likely going to get to elite status.

Dubois been dogging it for 5 games. You clearly didn't watch him last year and especially not in the bubble.

Rfa.
- Tfaehner

Still, hard to think that’s the best you could do

"Budding" elite center. Hes already a 2c. And hes likely going to get to elite status.

Dubois been dogging it for 5 games. You clearly didn't watch him last year and especially not in the bubble.
- Tfaehner

I have watched a lot of his games actually ...he has shown to be a top Center on some nights... Maybe even a # 1 on some teams. But to me he more likely fits a very good # 2....but elite is a bit much... as far as Laine, is concerned, he’s averaged 37.5 goals a season based on his first few years in the league...guys that think he’s over rated are simply clueless. When your able to produce from day one in the NHL and continue to do so, that’s not a definition of over rated.
To me I like the deal straight up...one for one, with the edge to CLB...throw in a Roslovic? That to me tilts it one way.

I'm not so sure, Jarmo Kekäläinen is Finnish and might be able to get Laine to play for him.
- jd250

So what

I keep reading ignorance on this board. Sean Couturier is an elite player in this league. He may not be considered an elite score but he is an elite player.
- MJL

an elite player should be elite in all facets

"Budding" elite center. Hes already a 2c. And hes likely going to get to elite status.

Dubois been dogging it for 5 games. You clearly didn't watch him last year and especially not in the bubble.
- Tfaehner

He's also going to potentially playing with better offensive players. I really like this deal for Winnipeg.

I keep reading who is overrated and who is underrated this morning. Patrick Laine I guess is overrated but in the options of some but if you’re 22 in the NHL and considered a mid 30’s to mid 40’s lock every season, how is that overrated. We have a core group of 6 or 7 players that are considered star but only MIGHT pot 20. Now we’re talking up our own guy’s elite status. I love Sean Couturier. You need players like Sean Couturier to win a championship but I think his status as an elite player can be questioned. I don’t believe in Couturier to lead a charge, I just believe in him to put in his own workload. I mean, who is the player media are more excited to talk to or show highlights? Patrick Laine or Sean Couturier?

It’s an interesting debate. I’m sure I’ll get pooped on but to say Laine is overrated is like saying John LeClair was overrated, in a time where it might have been easier to score.

He he he ... Laine just went from the frying pan into the fire. That dog now has to deal with meeting Torts' expectations, he is going to wish he never asked out of Winnipeg. Then again, if he does respond to Torts, wow what a player he can be. Remember when the Flyers were the team that made these kinds of moves?
- jd250

no

I keep reading who is overrated and who is underrated this morning. Patrick Laine I guess is overrated but in the options of some but if you’re 22 in the NHL and considered a mid 30’s to mid 40’s lock every season, how is that overrated. We have a core group of 6 or 7 players that are considered star but only MIGHT pot 20. Now we’re talking up our own guy’s elite status. I love Sean Couturier. You need players like Sean Couturier to win a championship but I think his status as an elite player can be questioned. I don’t believe in Couturier to lead a charge, I just believe in him to put in his own workload. I mean, who is the player media are more excited to talk to or show highlights? Patrick Laine or Sean Couturier?

It’s an interesting debate. I’m sure I’ll get pooped on but to say Laine is overrated is like saying John LeClair was overrated, in a time where it might have been easier to score.
- SuperSchennBros

I hear you on people not giving Laine his credit but you are dead wrong about Coots. The guy just won the Selke, the only other guys to win the award recently are Bergeron and Kopitar, Oreilly. Pretty good company.

I keep reading who is overrated and who is underrated this morning. Patrick Laine I guess is overrated but in the options of some but if you’re 22 in the NHL and considered a mid 30’s to mid 40’s lock every season, how is that overrated. We have a core group of 6 or 7 players that are considered star but only MIGHT pot 20. Now we’re talking up our own guy’s elite status. I love Sean Couturier. You need players like Sean Couturier to win a championship but I think his status as an elite player can be questioned. I don’t believe in Couturier to lead a charge, I just believe in him to put in his own workload. I mean, who is the player media are more excited to talk to or show highlights? Patrick Laine or Sean Couturier?

It’s an interesting debate. I’m sure I’ll get pooped on but to say Laine is overrated is like saying John LeClair was overrated, in a time where it might have been easier to score.
- SuperSchennBros

It’s an easy answer on Laine. He’s an elite winger in this league and simply has shown since his 1rst game in the NHL. I struggled to call Coots elite, but if you consider his total game, he’s a different animal like Bergeron or Kopitar. He’s not exciting as far as skill level, speed or smoothness, but his over all game is indeed elite...it took him a while to get there, but his effectiveness as a top line C is indeed elite and the Flyers are lucky to have him.

Fletcher can't even replace Niskanen!!! I want big deals! Columbus and Winnipeg not even big hockeymarkets!!!
- MJL

Garth Snow available! 🥳

Laine is not what I consider an elite winger. He can be at times an elite goal scorer. If he's not scoring goals, then he is an average player. My idea of an elite winger is Mark Stone or Brayden Point. They are much more than just scorers.

It’s an easy answer on Laine. He’s an elite winger in this league and simply has shown since his 1rst game in the NHL. I struggled to call Coots elite, but if you consider his total game, he’s a different animal like Bergeron or Kopitar. He’s not exciting as far as skill level, speed or smoothness, but his over all game is indeed elite...it took him a while to get there, but his effectiveness as a top line C is indeed elite and the Flyers are lucky to have him.
- landros 2

Indeed.

I keep reading who is overrated and who is underrated this morning. Patrick Laine I guess is overrated but in the options of some but if you’re 22 in the NHL and considered a mid 30’s to mid 40’s lock every season, how is that overrated. We have a core group of 6 or 7 players that are considered star but only MIGHT pot 20. Now we’re talking up our own guy’s elite status. I love Sean Couturier. You need players like Sean Couturier to win a championship but I think his status as an elite player can be questioned. I don’t believe in Couturier to lead a charge, I just believe in him to put in his own workload. I mean, who is the player media are more excited to talk to or show highlights? Patrick Laine or Sean Couturier?

It’s an interesting debate. I’m sure I’ll get pooped on but to say Laine is overrated is like saying John LeClair was overrated, in a time where it might have been easier to score.
- SuperSchennBros

Laine is a guy who win share is positive 8.4 which is among the best for wingers. He has to be game planned for. But as far as wingers go I find myself hard pressed in today's game to see one who absolutely changed a teams fortunes. Maybe panarin ? Kucherov ? Kane ? Either way. I dont think hes there quite yet. He does remind me to a point of Ovechkin. While he scored goals early in his career he didn't have too much impact elsewhere and it took for I believe it was year 3 or 4 for the capitals to get to the playoffs and start winning 35+ games. If he develops his all around game as ovechkin did the potential in Laine is insane.

However. Dubois is 22. Under team control for 4 years 2 years at 5 million per. Hes got a +11.6 win share. He plays great defense. And hes going to a bona-fide top line 2 way center. This was a knock out the park for winnipeg given the circumstances and Laine insistence on wanting out.

Roslovic I don't get the big deal about. Hes never scored 30 points. Hes not great in the circle. Hes not elite defensively. Hes not elite offensively. Thats why he signed for 1.9 million. Id take Scott laughton over him.

Laine is not what I consider an elite winger. He can be at times an elite goal scorer. If he's not scoring goals, then he is an average player. My idea of an elite winger is Mark Stone or Brayden Point. They are much more than just scorers.
- MJL

Giroux is an Elite winger now! 🥳🤓

I'll say this. Poll every gm and head coach in hockey and ask them if they had the chance to start a team with coots or Laine who would they pick?

Every single one picks coots and its not even close. Coots is elite. Period.

Laine is a guy who win share is positive 8.4 which is among the best for wingers. He has to be game planned for. But as far as wingers go I find myself hard pressed in today's game to see one who absolutely changed a teams fortunes. Maybe panarin ? Kucherov ? Kane ? Either way. I dont think hes there quite yet. He does remind me to a point of Ovechkin. While he scored goals early in his career he didn't have too much impact elsewhere and it took for I believe it was year 3 or 4 for the capitals to get to the playoffs and start winning 35+ games. If he develops his all around game as ovechkin did the potential in Laine is insane.

However. Dubois is 22. Under team control for 4 years 2 years at 5 million per. Hes got a +11.6 win share. He plays great defense. And hes going to a bona-fide top line 2 way center. This was a knock out the park for winnipeg given the circumstances and Laine insistence on wanting out.

Roslovic I don't get the big deal about. Hes never scored 30 points. Hes not great in the circle. Hes not elite defensively. Hes not elite offensively. Thats why he signed for 1.9 million. Id take Scott laughton over him.
- Tfaehner

Now for the record, I’m not calling out anyone. MJL was the most vocal about the arguments against Laine and for Couturier this morning. Believe it or not, I like and respect MJL, even if my comments can get out of game. What I’m saying is, I think we overrate our own guys and underrate others. If this team can get a superstar and put us on the map like Liberia did or Giroux in his prime, I want that guy. I don’t think Couturier or Konency are those guys but we’ll wait and see. I think Patrick has what it takes in time. I think our true stars in the making might be Carter Hart and Ivan Provorov IMO.

I'll say this. Poll every gm and head coach in hockey and ask them if they had the chance to start a team with coots or Laine who would they pick?

Every single one picks coots and its not even close. Coots is elite. Period.
- Tfaehner

I don’t think you can truly build a team around either guy, with Laine or Couturier as the center focus. In my opinion Sean Couturier isn’t our best player. Top 3, sure but I’ll always be on that wave where Hart and Provorov are much more important.

I don’t think you can truly build a team around either guy, with Laine or Couturier as the center focus. In my opinion Sean Couturier isn’t our best player. Top 3, sure but I’ll always be on that wave where Hart and Provorov are much more important.
- SuperSchennBros

Hows edmonton doing with mcjesus and draisalt with no goalie and no bona-fide top defenseman ? A team still needs a team. But coots absolutely can be the focal point top line center of a cup winning team.

I keep reading who is overrated and who is underrated this morning. Patrick Laine I guess is overrated but in the options of some but if you’re 22 in the NHL and considered a mid 30’s to mid 40’s lock every season, how is that overrated. We have a core group of 6 or 7 players that are considered star but only MIGHT pot 20. Now we’re talking up our own guy’s elite status. I love Sean Couturier. You need players like Sean Couturier to win a championship but I think his status as an elite player can be questioned. I don’t believe in Couturier to lead a charge, I just believe in him to put in his own workload. I mean, who is the player media are more excited to talk to or show highlights? Patrick Laine or Sean Couturier?

It’s an interesting debate. I’m sure I’ll get pooped on but to say Laine is overrated is like saying John LeClair was overrated, in a time where it might have been easier to score.
- SuperSchennBros

Laine played on a pretty good offensive team, he had guys who could get him the puck, lets see who gets him the puck in Columbus. PLD had his best season with the bread man, have to see how he does also... seems like no one wants to play Columbus