Columbus’ Finnish cannon Patrick Laine will be in the spotlight again on Friday when the Blue Jackets face the Colorado Avalanche in Tampere. On Thursday, Laine appeared in a good mood at many media events in Tampere’s Koulukatu traditional disc sanctuary and Nokia Arena.
– It’s really cool to be able to play in your hometown. He has been waiting for this ever since he heard that they were coming here to play, Laine told .
Laine, now 24, appeared as an NHL player in his twenties in 2018 with the Winnipeg Jets at the Helsinki Arena. Laine stole the show back then with a hat trick as Winnipeg beat Florida 4–2.
– Four years ago I got to play with an old gang in Helsinki. It was also a trip that he will surely remember for the rest of his life. Now you can still go home. You couldn’t write about these things, that such a chapter would appear in the hockey player’s story.
The Columbus Blue Jackets got off to a rough start to the NHL season. The team is the worst in the taala league based on the standings and has collected only six points in the ten games they have played.
– We know that we have a better team, what the statistics show at the moment. Game systems have been changed since last season, and new faces joined the team. We anticipated that the start could be quite difficult, although of course you would like to win all the games right away.
– It has been a little more difficult for everyone now. Crying doesn’t help here, you have to put your work overalls on your neck and go to work. We try to improve day by day. This trip to Finland went well. We can turn the course if we take this the right way, Laine believes.
Hand injury small back pack for Lainee
Laine’s training season and training games went promisingly. However, in the first NHL game of the season, his games ended with a hand injury. Before that, he had time to shoot the opening goal of the season. Since his return, the goalscorer has played three matches without scoring.
– It (the injury) was a small step backwards. Now I’ve tried to get back into the rhythm of the game. Based on three games, I’m not going to throw in the towel yet. There are still 70 games left, Laine describes the two-week mandatory break from real action.
Laine admits that it would be great if Columbus won in Tampere and he could succeed on that side himself. In the two games in Tampere, the “blue jackets”, who are the NHL’s mainstays, are seeking – no more and no less – than four points.
– Even the last time I came here (Finland) to play, the games were not based on points. Now at least I feel that I am in the best shape of my career and in the best situation than before. My role is such that I have to succeed in it. Of course, if I succeed myself, that will also help the team a lot.
“You have to succeed when you’re paid this much”
With his glove, Laine refers to the big pressure in front of the home crowd.
– There is, of course, the desire to show off and the desire to play well. There are people here who are really under pressure. They struggle with different things. Our job is just to play hockey. Your life doesn’t depend on playing a couple of games badly.
Laine has been known throughout his career for not squeezing the stick in tight spots. He’s actually usually at his best in pressure situations, when the stakes are higher than usual and the spotlight is bright. The man has proven it both in Tappara, Leijon and in the NHL.
– The goal has been to be able to pull through the season evenly. It’s always great to succeed in tough situations. That’s what you pay for here. When you enjoy yourself on the ice and do your best, that’s usually enough for good performances, Laine insists.
Columbus Blue Jackets signed a four-year contract extension with Patrik Laine in July. Its value was 34.8 million dollars, which means that Laine earns about 8.7 million dollars a year.
– It makes you realize that you have to succeed when you are paid this much. However, you don’t have to think about it, it gives more freedom to play and do everyday things. I personally feel that I have played every year for a contract and I have to succeed. I can say that it’s always on my mind – at least a little. Now this is out of the equation and you can go and play in a relaxed way, emphasizes Laine.
Having moved from Calgary to Columbus with great fanfare, Laine’s new chain friend Johnny Gaudreau scored an incredible 115 (40+75) power points in the 82 games he played last regular season.
– I’ve liked playing with him, nothing but good things to say about the guy. I still have a bit to learn, as he plays differently than anyone else I’ve played with. Doing it is a bit like night and day, so in a positive sense.
A rare experience for an NHL player
Laine emphasizes that the team’s week-long trip to Finland is a perfect opportunity to make the team spirit even closer.
– For me and Korppar (For Joonas Korpisalo) this is unique. The experience in general is one that most European NHL players will never experience. This will be fully enjoyed, promises Laine.
In social media, Lainee has recently become quite a style sensation with her colorful outfits. He has one costume designer assistant and then maybe half of the clothes are entirely his own creativity.
– I haven’t agreed to every (clothing) suggestion, I haven’t had enough self-confidence for them. I don’t want to communicate anything by dressing. I’m a bit of a flamboyant person. I stand out and I’m a bit of a showman. I like to present my own personality, although outside the hall I don’t mind being in the limelight at all. When you put a tag on your chest, it’s still nice that the gang likes to follow.
Does Lainee have something new and surprising to offer when she arrives at the Tampere arena on Friday night?
– I do not know. We’ll see what I’m wearing in the evening.
Style points from Rantas for Laine’s outfit
of Colorado Mikko Rantanen26, will battle in the rink Friday and Saturday night for NHL points against Columbus’ Laine.
Rantanen started in North America a year earlier than Laine, playing the opening season mainly in the AHL. In the 2016–17 season, the Finnish duo already played more than 70 regular season NHL games. The two have been training together for five years in the summer, in addition, the star duo is united by the same agent, Petteri Lehto.
The Athletic publication (you are switching to another service) recently chose Laine as the most stylish dresser in the entire NHL.
– “Patella” today is a colorful, non-Finnish dress. I really like it myself, I take my hat off to him. I don’t know if he has a professional to choose them. I’m pretty boring when I go to games. Three suits and always the same ties, laughed Rantanen.
Colorado’s early season has gone more sticky than expected. The reigning NHL champion has collected the same number of points in the nine games they have played, which is only 10th place in the Western Conference.
– There is always room for improvement in one’s own game, there is little reason for self-criticism. I’m still looking for that mid-season “tats”. When playing in a big role, it feels like my own performances go hand in hand with the team’s. When you lose, you can always look in the mirror, thinks Rantanen, who earns $9.25 million annually for this and the next two seasons.
Rantanen has scored eleven (4+7) points in nine games, with which the Turku native is ranked 30th in the NHL point exchange as the third most effective Avalanche player.
Rantanen says that the party buzz related to the NHL trophy has not disturbed the preparation for the season. The team stayed together well after the championship.
– The drive is good for us, even though we always talk about the championship hangover. Usually it comes from leading personalities. Although for example Gabriel Landeskog hasn’t played, so he’s a pretty big presence in the booth. Nathan MacKinnon certainly “leads” the most of all, and his level of demands has not gone anywhere. Winning didn’t calm him down at all. It seems that he demands even more, Rantanen grins.
– Getting a ring is a dream come true, but my stomach is not full yet. Although my general playing is maybe at a good level, I try to focus on small things and polish them better.
Identity important to Colorado
Colorado has not abandoned its proven identity.
– There have been no changes to the game system, while the coaching is the same. We want to play a fast game, just like last spring. It was a factor that helped us even at the end. Let’s play upwards, not terribly to the side.
Another Finn of Colorado’s credit is the man for important goals in the playoffs Artturi Lehkonenwhich adds to Rantanen’s words that Colorado never waits in the rink, but looks for mistakes from the opponent, and does not let the enemy down easily.
Lehkonen has forged the power of 2+4=6 in nine games. The two-way forward has had several hits at the beginning of the season, with chances to score. The gunpowder was still partly wet.
Rantanen says that the team has arrived in Tampere above all to win.
– So many friends, family and Finns come here. Two wins would be a pretty good recipe. Winning is what warms you up.