Author: SFDI

Coming off a disappointing first season with Columbus, which saw the right-winger score 10 goals and 21 points in 45 games, there was a lot of scrutiny about whether this 23 -year-old from Finland could recapture the glory he enjoyed when with Winnipeg.

This season saw a re-dedicated Laine who averaging just over 18 minutes per game got off to a strong start with 3 goals and 10 points in the Blue Jackets first 9 games.

Laine has also been drawing rave reviews in Columbus for his strong playmaking skills.

Unfortunately, Laine suffered an unfortunate setback when during an overtime win on November 3^rd he suffered an oblique injury which will keep him sidelined for roughly 4-6 weeks.

Back in the 2016 NHL draft, this athletic Finn was selected second overall in the 2016 draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He dazzled as a rookie by totaling 36 goals along with 64 points which earned him runner-up status in the Calder Trophy voting.

During the next three years, this natural pure scorer kept producing as he went on to score 44 goals as a sophomore followed by 30 and 28 goal campaigns. Meanwhile, those three seasons saw Laine total 70-, 50- and 63-point seasons.

Following that fourth campaign, which saw him score 63 points in 68 games, Laine was involved in a blockbuster trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In giving the fans one more thrill, Laine’s final game in a Jets uniform was a three- point performance in the January 14, 2021 season opening 4-3 overtime against the Calgary Flames. This was a true vintage performance for Laine who notched an assist along with two goals including the overtime winner.   

A few days later, on January 23^rd Laine, who was nursing a recent wrist injury, was officially swapped to Columbus along with Jack Roslovic in return for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third-round pick.

After returning from that wrist injury, Laine ran into controversy four games in with Columbus when according to various sources, he got into a verbal altercation with an assistant coach and was benched for the remaining 26:19 of what was an eventual 3-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“He’ll be the first to admit he just has to be better,” Columbus forward Cam Atkinson told NBC Sports. “It’s plain and simple, and he knows it. That’s what we have to do, whether you’re a new guy, an old guy, we have to hold each other accountable. It doesn’t matter who you are on where you play, we have to all buy-in.”

During that first year as a Blue Jacket, Laine averaged about two shots per game which was under his career average of just over three. Also, he wasn’t getting the offensive chances he usually generates and his defensive play was being questioned.

Following the season, Columbus decided to roll the dice and on July 27, 2021, signed the streaky forward to a one-year $7.5 million dollar contract.

This season Laine was on a mission to show that he could still be a natural pure goal scorer. He was off to a strong start until unfortunately he got hurt. Here’s hoping he comes back sooner than projected and continues where he left -off.

By Neil Becker

Not surprisingly, there seems to be some growing concern in Leafs nation.

Entering the 2021/2022 season full of high expectations, the Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten off to a 2-3-1 start which has raised some concerned eyebrows. The absolute low point came on Saturday, October 23rd, when on Hockey Night In Canada, they dropped a 7-1 decision in Pittsburgh against a Penguins team who were missing such players as captain Sidney Crosby, forwards Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter, and defenceman Kris Letang.

“I have a lot of thoughts, obviously. Not many good ones,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe told NHL.com. “It’s tough playing from behind. (We’ve) been doing it too much lately.  But Pittsburgh, full marks. They were fast and competitive all through the game. They don’t make it easy on you.”

So far, Leafs forwards Mitch Marner, Austin Matthews, and John Tavares have taken some heat in the media after getting off to bumpy starts. Marner, who played 55 games last year and produced 20 goals and 67 points, has totaled only an assist and is -3 after 6 games this year.

Star centerman Austin Matthews who Toronto selected first overall in the 2016 draft is still looking for his first point and is a -1 after 3 games. Matthews’s slow start shouldn’t be unexpected given that he had wrist surgery in August and missed training camp. The reigning Maurice  “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner has been getting lots of opportunities and has hit a few posts and crossbars. Every Leafs fan should realize that it’s only a matter of time before they go in.

Meanwhile, John Tavares who totaled 19 goals and 50 points in last year’s COVID-19 shortened campaign, has scored only 1 goal and 3 points in 6 games this year with a -2 plus/minus rating.

Also taking some heat is newly acquired left-winger Nick Ritchie who a night before the Penguins game, saw his ice time drastically reduced in what was a 5-3 home loss to the San Jose Sharks. Ritchie, who last year with the Boston Bruins had 15 goals and 26 points, is after 6 games still looking for his first point and is a -3.

The Leafs have so far had some major defensive masques which have resulted in goals against. Veteran defenceman Jake Muzzin is an ugly -6 after 6 games and partner Justin Holl is a -6 after 5 games played.

Meanwhile, goalie Jack Campbell has a 2.22 GAA and a .916 save percentage but is coming off a bad start against Pittsburgh where he was pulled. Backup Petr Mrazek was injured early and Michael Hutchison has struggled.

Despite this negativity, Toronto media and fans alike should take a deep breath and realize it’s only October. The Leafs are a deep talented team who are young. When Christmas rolls around, chances are this slow start will be long forgotten and they will be sitting comfortably in a playoff spot. That being said, Leafs know the success or failure of this season doesn’t lie in the regular season but rather how far they go once playoffs roll around. Toronto fans, management and media alike are expecting a deep playoff run and perhaps a Stanley Cup celebration in June.