Ehlers will be back in a week or less. Possibly a trade coming for a guy like Stone. Jets 3rd and 4th line are pretty solid with the exception of maybe Perreault. The top line will likely stay the same.

Here is something to ponder. Who is vulnerable? Call it blasphemous, but it's not entirely out there that it could be Laine. As mentioned earlier he leads the NHL in turnovers, and overall has done absolutely nothing the last 20 games. He could end up in the press box for a decent stint, and the second line could be something like Ehlers - Little - Stone , with Roslovic or Perreault gone in a trade. Jets could be a better team without Laine, at least this year, or until he matures. It also wouldn't help his case in contract talks....an added benefit.

If Laine stays , then the Jets biggest trade chip has got to be Perreault. This is especially true if we don't want to lose out on Roslovic's potential upside. My bet is Chevy has Perreault's name on the board with a big circle around it.
- jetsnation

It’s not Laine. Laine will not be traded. Laine will also not be scratched. You don’t take your biggest weapon, and put it in the press box. That 2nd line has been brutal for over a month, with Little and the rotating door of other wingers also struggling. They have no chemistry, they never have, and Little can no longer support anyone. Laine’s struggles fall squarely on the man supposedly responsible for helping the young guys develop: Paul Maurice.

I would keep Tanev anytime over Perreault and YES, you can trade a contract to free up cap space. Until the Trouba saga reaches a conclusion, Myers is a valued member of this team.

Some observations on Laine: (Notice I am not discussing goal scoring)

Rookie season - I vividly remember him battling for pucks, even in the corners. He would use his big body to put himself between the oppossing player and the puck, protecting the puck. I can also remember that when he did this, he would also back up agressively using his backside with force to push the player back, creating some space, push off the player and then do something with the puck. I can't remember the last time he did this type separation. I think this disappeared last year already and definatly not this year.

Also in year 1, he carried the puck up the ice in rushes until McCabe delievered the concussion. After that, his puck carrrying ability seem to reduce and reduce. Anyone notice him carrying the puck this year, last year?

Season 2 - i noticed reduction in puck carrying, battling in the corners using his big frame for puck separation disappeared and his board play or lack of became very evident and turnovers became very evident. Getting the puck out out zone became problematic. My wife spotted this long ago (former ringette player) but I was like everyone else and would repeat, he is only 19, just a kid, give him time, blah, blah, blah. Then he grew the beard and had some success, got Stats, had a bounce with Stats and tailed off at the end of the year, and in the playoffs contributed but rookie season Laine just wasn' there.

Season three - Starts off slow, goes to Finland and gets a bounce, comes back and has an enomoumous November where is outscoring his mistakes, then his game goes cold. Board battle non existent, no physical play using his size for space separation or just outmuscling someone for the puck, carrying the puck up the ice is completley gone, 50 /50 pucks -
gets beat nearly everytime and then peels off the other direction with a big loop which now he is completly away from the play, turnover machine was already evident early last year. I just see lack of drive.

But why? I am sorry but if you say that its because he has no chemistry with Little, give me a break or its PoMo's fault, please save your breath or your fingers typing.

The first change when I noticed a different player was his return from the concussion. The confidence was not as high. No confidence to carry the puck was one first indicator in my books. It has grown from there. We see glimpses of rookie Laine once in a while but rookie season Laine has been gone for a long time now. The confidence is gone, drive and battle gone. He looks like a fish out of water, like he simply should not be on the same ice surface as his teamates and the opposing team. An enigma.

I dont know what the answer is to help him because i think he is battling himself internally upstairs. He looks hesitant to engage with any degree of intensity. His confidence is gone. A very "young" player with tons of upside, how do you draw out or re-find rookie season Laine?

Just some thoughts and observations.

If you don't want to blame Laine's problems on Little that's fine. Then explain why Roslovic has 2 5x5 points since his promotion to the second line 17 games ago.

I know people don't like to agree with Rexypoo on this board, but in the case that the second line has no chemistry he is right.

If you don't want to blame Laine's problems on Little that's fine. Then explain why Roslovic has 2 5x5 points since his promotion to the second line 17 games ago.

I know people don't like to agree with Rexypoo on this board, but in the case that the second line has no chemistry he is right.
- BWJumper

My point is there is a trend from day 1 to today. Little has nothing to do with Laine's puck battle, board battles, 50 /50 pucks, clearing pucks, and intensity. Thats all on yourself as a player.

If you don't want to blame Laine's problems on Little that's fine. Then explain why Roslovic has 2 5x5 points since his promotion to the second line 17 games ago.

I know people don't like to agree with Rexypoo on this board, but in the case that the second line has no chemistry he is right.
- BWJumper

That's a very good point. Not about agreeing with Rexy though

What I think irks many with the roster is the changes are so simple and undynamic. Laine to 2nd PP and Roslovic up. Yawn. Switch Connor and Ehlers back and forth. Yawn.

Whether it's Little or not the issue does not change- the fit is not right and there are other options. Maurice is too stubborn or can't see it. He looks at numbers, he's given reports and works with the data they pay for and they pay a lot. He needs to see a bigger picture here.

Some observations on Laine: (Notice I am not discussing goal scoring)

Rookie season - I vividly remember him battling for pucks, even in the corners. He would use his big body to put himself between the oppossing player and the puck, protecting the puck. I can also remember that when he did this, he would also back up agressively using his backside with force to push the player back, creating some space, push off the player and then do something with the puck. I can't remember the last time he did this type separation. I think this disappeared last year already and definatly not this year.

Also in year 1, he carried the puck up the ice in rushes until McCabe delievered the concussion. After that, his puck carrrying ability seem to reduce and reduce. Anyone notice him carrying the puck this year, last year?

Season 2 - i noticed reduction in puck carrying, battling in the corners using his big frame for puck separation disappeared and his board play or lack of became very evident and turnovers became very evident. Getting the puck out out zone became problematic. My wife spotted this long ago (former ringette player) but I was like everyone else and would repeat, he is only 19, just a kid, give him time, blah, blah, blah. Then he grew the beard and had some success, got Stats, had a bounce with Stats and tailed off at the end of the year, and in the playoffs contributed but rookie season Laine just wasn' there.

Season three - Starts off slow, goes to Finland and gets a bounce, comes back and has an enomoumous November where is outscoring his mistakes, then his game goes cold. Board battle non existent, no physical play using his size for space separation or just outmuscling someone for the puck, carrying the puck up the ice is completley gone, 50 /50 pucks -
gets beat nearly everytime and then peels off the other direction with a big loop which now he is completly away from the play, turnover machine was already evident early last year. I just see lack of drive.

But why? I am sorry but if you say that its because he has no chemistry with Little, give me a break or its PoMo's fault, please save your breath or your fingers typing.

The first change when I noticed a different player was his return from the concussion. The confidence was not as high. No confidence to carry the puck was one first indicator in my books. It has grown from there. We see glimpses of rookie Laine once in a while but rookie season Laine has been gone for a long time now. The confidence is gone, drive and battle gone. He looks like a fish out of water, like he simply should not be on the same ice surface as his teamates and the opposing team. An enigma.

I dont know what the answer is to help him because i think he is battling himself internally upstairs. He looks hesitant to engage with any degree of intensity. His confidence is gone. A very "young" player with tons of upside, how do you draw out or re-find rookie season Laine?

Just some thoughts and observations.
- CharlieDog

I don't agree that the McCabe concussion was a turning point, there was enough 'good' Laine since then to conclude that is in the past. Finland was a bounce in the season - could it be he is missing his countrymen Armia and henceforth unnamed defenceman?

I don't agree that the McCabe concussion was a turning point, there was enough 'good' Laine since then to conclude that is in the past. Finland was a bounce in the season - could it be he is missing his countrymen Armia and henceforth unnamed defenceman?
- 2.0

Possible, the issue lies beyond a computer screen imop.

That's a very good point. Not about agreeing with Rexy though

What I think irks many with the roster is the changes are so simple and undynamic. Laine to 2nd PP and Roslovic up. Yawn. Switch Connor and Ehlers back and forth. Yawn.

Whether it's Little or not the issue does not change- the fit is not right and there are other options. Maurice is too stubborn or can't see it. He looks at numbers, he's given reports and works with the data they pay for and they pay a lot. He needs to see a bigger picture here.
- Peter.Tessier

Interesting how a number of ppl interpret my observations as "not" agreeing with Rexy. That's a bit of vanity statement imop. Read again, it has nothing to do with Rexy. The observation talked about playing trends, observations with no discussion on scoring.

The kid is not the same for some reason and I believe it is deeper than what you find in a computer screen. Forget scoring for a minute and take an honest look at the play intensity away from scoring.

Possible, the issue lies beyond a computer screen imop.
- CharlieDog

Nobody mentioned a computer screen...

That's a very good point. Not about agreeing with Rexy though

What I think irks many with the roster is the changes are so simple and undynamic. Laine to 2nd PP and Roslovic up. Yawn. Switch Connor and Ehlers back and forth. Yawn.

Whether it's Little or not the issue does not change- the fit is not right and there are other options. Maurice is too stubborn or can't see it. He looks at numbers, he's given reports and works with the data they pay for and they pay a lot. He needs to see a bigger picture here.
- Peter.Tessier

👍

I am pretty sure that Jets management sees what we see in Laine, and I can only hope that Laine is seeing a Sports Psychologist.

Interesting how a number of ppl interpret my observations as "not" agreeing with Rexy. That's a bit of vanity statement imop. Read again, it has nothing to do with Rexy. The observation talked about playing trends, observations with no discussion on scoring.

The kid is not the same for some reason and I believe it is deeper than what you find in a computer screen. Forget scoring for a minute and take an honest look at the play intensity away from scoring.
- CharlieDog

You nailed it Charlie. Its all on Laine and no one else. This supposed goal scoring machine is one goal above not being in the top 40 in goals scored. Add that to all his obvious flaws and its time someone took a serious look at all the deficiencies in his game and has a serious sit down with the kid. I somehow think its no coincidence that Matt Hendricks would have helped here. He was a fabulous mentor and motivator for all the young Jets. His hockey skills have since been surpassed by our new fourth line but we definitely miss him in practice and in the dressing room. I'd love to see the Jets hire him as some type of development coach once Hendrick's career comes to an end.

If you don't want to blame Laine's problems on Little that's fine. Then explain why Roslovic has 2 5x5 points since his promotion to the second line 17 games ago.

I know people don't like to agree with Rexypoo on this board, but in the case that the second line has no chemistry he is right.
- BWJumper

The lack of chemistry is Laine's fault. Its hard to develop any type of chemistry or cycle when the minute Laine touches the puck he loses it to the opposition. I'm not saying that Roslovic is the perfect fit on that line. When Little and Laine had that fabulous November Roslovic wasn't there. There was chemistry. I think it may have been Conner as the third guy during that time. Little has been doing everything he can as second-line center . Its not easy on him though when Laine keeps losing the puck. Stone might be the answer here .

As for Rexy, people on here don't agree with him because he is a troll who is only on here to stir up controversy with insane opinions steered by players he cleary favors.

The lack of chemistry is Laine's fault. Its hard to develop any type of chemistry or cycle when the minute Laine touches the puck he loses it to the opposition. I'm not saying that Roslovic is the perfect fit on that line. When Little and Laine had that fabulous November Roslovic wasn't there. There was chemistry. I think it may have been Conner as the third guy during that time. Little has been doing everything he can as second-line center . Its not easy on him though when Laine keeps losing the puck. Stone might be the answer here .

As for Rexy, people on here don't agree with him because he is a troll who is only on here to stir up controversy with insane opinions steered by players he cleary favors.
- jetsnation

Little hasn’t had chemistry with anyone but Perreault and Ehlers in 2 full seasons now. Laine needs a specific type of centre, yes, but Little has been impossible to keep rolling.
I don’t wanna dump on Little here, as it’s not his fault and age comes for everyone, but literally one line combination featuring 18 has seen all 3 players rolling

If Laine worked as hard as Little does, and skated half as well as Little, he would have 100 goals this season.