Winnipeg Jets: Patrik Laine is not the NHL’s new Alex Ovechkin
The Winnipeg Jets seemingly struck gold when they drafted Patrik Laine second overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Finnish winger has 80 goals in just two NHL seasons.
I doubt Toronto’s kicking themselves over drafting Auston Matthews, but give me Laine every day of the week. And the Winnipeg Jets are lucky to have him. Patrik Laine is also a big series away from bringing the Jets into the Western Conference Semifinals.
That would be a big deal, even without understanding that being in the Conference Finals is a great accomplishment, especially for someone who just celebrated their twentieth birthday last week.
The player most associated with Patrik Laine, as far as comparisons go, is Alex Ovechkin. They both have big, powerful strides. Not to mention their frames. Neither are the speediest of skaters but they get where they need to be.
Both of them, however, are known for their booming shots. Ovechkin and Laine both have lightning-quick releases and bullet wrist shots that allow them to be the 40+ goal threats they have become.
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It’s easy to see Laine coming out, and his performance this season, and think ‘Oh, this is the next Ovie!’. And that type of career numbers would be a wonderful outcome for the kid. Only, as you’ve noted, it’s not entirely accurate.
Laine winning this series would accomplish something that Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals never have. If Laine’s Winnipeg Jets can make it to the Conference Finals, he would have surpassed Ovechkin’s playoff success.
Alex Ovechkin has made the playoffs in all seasons he’s played save for three. His first two years, 05-06 and 06-07, were fruitless, and the Caps missed the tournament again in 2013-2014. Ten years, ten losses. Four in the first round, six in the second.
Patrik Laine has a chance to erase this stigma in just his second season, and first playoff trip. And, sure, futility in the playoffs is rarely attributed to one player (Unless it’s a goalie).
And yet, even with 52 goals and 100 points in 102 games, Ovechkin is seen as unclutch. The Leafs took them to six games last year. The Blue Jackets almost bumped them off this year. No, it isn’t just Sidney Crosby, although he seems to be at the heart of it. Laine can prove that Ovie isn’t his destiny.
Bringing a Stanley Cup to Winnipeg would be a sight to behold, and the Winnipeg Jets would forever be beloved. Getting past the Conference Semis will prove that Patrik Laine has a winning touch and toughness that Ovechkin’s Captials have never did.
It’s hard to put the pressure of having the kind of career Alex Ovechkin’s had on Patrik Laine, but that’s not what we want for him.
And, hey, maybe the Capitals overcome blowing game one and do blow past Crosby and the Penguins this year. But I wouldn’t bet on it. Win the series you’re supposed to win, and that’s exactly what the Winnipeg Jets did in round one.
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They were a better team than the Minnesota Wild, and they proved it. No letdowns. Maybe they aren’t a better team than Nashville, but they gutted out a win in game one. Nobody would blame the Winnipeg Jets for losing this one, but hey, they can prove a lot by winning it. And so would Patrik Laine.