After almost a year’s break, the Montreal Canadiens returned to the puck rink Patrick Laine has been the number one talking point in the NHL in recent times for Finns.
With dominance, Laine has been very effective, with six dominance goals in seven games. Last night against the Buffalo Sabres, the 26-year-old Finn scored his first hat trick in two years. All in all, the hat trick was the 11th of his NHL career.
Laine’s last seasons have been torn due to various injuries and mental health problems.
Coaching the big club SC Bern in Switzerland Jussi Tapola know from Laine’s Tappara years. Laine played a key role with his playoff goals when Tappara, coached by Tapola, achieved the club’s first Finnish championship in 13 years in the 2015-2016 season.
– Of course, it’s a surprise that a player who has returned after an injury can immediately be at such a good level. It’s not a simple thing even for the top of the world, Tapola points out.
Tapola takes, for example, who is known as a hard scorer By Steven Stamkos. Stamkos, who represented the Tampa Bay Lightning for almost his entire career, moved to the Nashville Predators, who made heavy investments, for this season.
Despite high expectations, the season of both Nashville and the 34-year-old Canadian forward has been a huge disappointment so far. Currently, Stamkos is only on pace for 21 goals and 47 points.
For comparison, last season there were 40 goals and 81 points.
– I watched how Stamkos talked about scoring and how difficult it has been for him to help his team score points. As for Laine, the performance has been surprisingly tough considering what the backgrounds are like. We have to give a big hat to “Pate” for how he has been able to overcome his difficulties, commented Tapola.
From a risk to a big opportunity
Tapola, who piloted Tappara to four Finnish championships, is the new head coach of Leijoni Antti Pennanen in the coaching group.
In February, Tapola will not participate in the NHL’s four-nation tournament due to his club team obligations, but he has been involved in the Lions’ meetings.
Pennanen and GM Jere Lehtinen named Laine to that top tournament before the 26-year-old Finn had played a single game this season.
Laine’s possible choice sparked a lot of talk. For example, the majority of respondents to Urheilu’s survey would not have chosen a player for their team. Tapola admits that choosing Laine was a risk considering the starting points.
Now that choice seems more like a possibility.
– You can say that it was a tough choice when Patrik Laine was chosen without a single game. If things continue like this, the Finnish national team will have a strong weapon for supremacy and scoring points, Tapola says.
Tapola understands very well that Laine’s choice has raised doubts among the Finnish public.
– At least at the moment it seems like the right decision. If you leave a scorer like that out and he suddenly starts spitting out goals. The team is much better when the top-fit Patrik Laine is involved.
Rantanen and Laine
Laine’s dominant game in particular has many of the same elements as about ten years ago under Tapola. Laine’s shot is overwhelmingly hard and accurately from the left flank.
However, Tapola reminds us that Laine’s game has greatly improved to meet the NHL’s demanding level.
– As said, Laine has always been an exceptional player with an exceptional shot. He is also an excellent playmaker. If his shot is covered, he can pass the puck. He knows how to find the right choices. Either pass or make a play.
If Laine’s good form continues in the four-nation tournament two months from now, Leijon will have a rare delicious situation with the number one advantage. Colorado Avalanche Mikko Rantanen has been the NHL’s most Finnish goal scorer for a long time.
Rantanen is hard to finish from the right side in Colorado’s dominance game.
– “Rane” is on one side and “Pate” is on the other side. The games are certainly so hard that there are few top places in five-on-five. Superiority and inferiority play a decisive role, and Finland has top expertise in that. It could be Finland’s weapon.
Wrong picture
Tapola himself saw Laine in recent years at Tappara’s summer training. He has heard about Laine playing in Bern Joona Luoton through.
Tapola sees that some people have formed the wrong image of the Finnish superstar.
– Quite often people have the wrong idea of what kind of person he is. He is such a fierce competitor and the ultimate professional. Because of the competitiveness and throwing, emotions are at play. Then the career of a professional athlete is not easy.
– He is a sensitive and wonderful person. I hope that the people of Finland will now see him at his best in the NHL and in a Finnish shirt in the four-nation tournament. Let’s get one star back on the map, Tapola hopes.