Patrick Laine became the talk of the NHL week in a sad and on the other hand encouraging way by applying to the NHL’s treatment program. Laine commented on her decision on social media, stating that mental health is an important issue for her, and therefore, in the middle of a difficult period, she decided to seek help. You can get support in substance abuse and mental health issues from the NHL’s treatment program. In the case of Laine, there was no mention of intoxicants.
Laine has been suffering from a collarbone injury for the past few weeks and has therefore been out of action. Laine’s season has already been marred by injuries for the second year in a row, and in any case, his own identity on the rink, as far as a place to play, has been badly sought after. The drama has been increased by clashes with the coaching staff and the subsequent bench and stand orders.
On the civil side, the turbulence was increased by the sudden death of my own father in 2023.
– Laine has been under the magnifying glass ever since the national team, and we’ve certainly all noticed that underneath all the glory, it’s a sensitive person, not a superhero. He has had a pretty heavy load in and out of the rink for a long time. The situation seems to have reached a point where the game had to be called off, ‘s ice hockey expert Ismo Lehkonen states.
Laine can return to real activities only when the staff of the treatment program gives the green light to the plans. Lehkonen naturally wishes Lainee the best possible recovery period, but gives a taste of the realism that lies ahead.
– Laine has the ball now in terms of what condition she will be back in the end. When the rehabilitation is over, you should be faster, harder and produce results again. The NHL is a tough league of top athletes these days.
Lainee must be given recognition for having the courage to face problems and seek help – and above all to openly talk about a topic that still seems to be some kind of taboo in the sport. Seeking treatment openly and talking about mental health issues is a great example for many young people who are following suit. You can get help and you have to dare to ask for it.
– Absolutely. At the same time, the NHL is a rough world and maybe something like this can even leave a small mark. I know that professional world so well that this might get other clubs on their toes with him, Lehkonen points out.
Who surprised?
The quality and entertainment value of the MVP competition surprised me. Maybe it was also a little surprising that Edmonton didn’t Connor McDavid at least with these prospects, fight for the victory of the Hart Trophy. The league’s most valuable player award will most likely be given to either Colorado To Nathan MacKinnon or Tampan Nikita Kutcherov. Both of them play an unimaginably wonderful season, dragging the whole other orchestra behind them from night to night.
The race is at times like following a tennis match. When Kutsherov hit 3+1 in the match against Philadelphia at the end of January, MacKinnon responded the next day with 4+1. Kutsherov, who leads the NHL’s point exchange, is one point ahead of the Canadian star.
– I am so excited about how such players take the sport to a new level. Big points must also be given to the coaches, how to play these guys. There is a unique kind of gaming and there you find routes for the boys to solve those games. This is by far the best thing that can be found in the NHL. Individuals and the game must be entertained and that’s what these guys do, Lehkonen praises.
The competition will also feature two very different players. MacKinnon is an incredible skating machine that maintains an unimaginable tempo from one change to another. Kutsherov, on the other hand, is more of a maestro of the possession game operating with a cigarette in his mouth, who shines near the wings.
– The way MacKinnon generates power in the first two kicks and from the legs and buttocks, no one else can do that. The passing skill has also developed and has also been worked on. Kutsherov is by far the best at playing near the wings and making small moves from there. The way he takes possession of passes, grabs pucks from the rim and delivers passes with the number one is amazing to watch.
But who is leading the race?
– I have to say MacKinnon. There have been a lot of guys out of line and they have had to adjust the way they play because of that. In the middle of it, he has led the troops in a great way and sometimes had to play for up to half an hour in the evening. He has a great lead.
Who cheated?
NHL discipline has failed once again. The latest uproar arose when Montreal Brendan Gallagher tackled really badly after coming off the puckless Islanders Adam Pelech on. The NHL’s disciplinary department announced that the Canadian player would get away with a phone interview, which meant a maximum five-game suspension. For suspensions larger than that, the NHL requires an on-site hearing in New York.
Moni was ready to give Gallagher a longer ban than what was put on the table (5 matches).
– I don’t know what kind of brain fart got into him. Maybe in that suspension, they wanted to maintain moderation and give mercy to a player who has been punched in front of the goals all these years. Especially since Gallagher has no history of such. In my opinion, that suspension was a good measure, says Lehkonen.
In a broader view, Lehkonen is not satisfied with the disciplinary boss By George Parros and to the actions of those responsible for the safety of other players.
– There are now a lot of signs that the rink has started to make star players pay for rudeness. That game should be called off immediately, because it starts an endless cycle of revenge. Another thing is transverse clubs, which is still cultivated a lot. Now it would be worthwhile for the discipline and other leaders to sit down before the playoffs, so that this doesn’t really start to get messy in the spring.
Goal of the week
of Toronto Austin Matthews hit his 600th career RBI against Winnipeg. The catch is handsome, considering the number of matches (527). Still, the ability to score is what charms Matthews night after night. The Yankee center has already accumulated 40 hits this season. It is already the fifth season in a row when Toronto’s number one player breaks the 40-goal mark. Two years ago, there were 60 hits.
– I like it very much. It’s amazing how he’s made himself one of the best players in the league. The physics, playing position, passing and taking possession of the puck, and the shot are among the world’s elite. And he’s not squatting because of the Toronto pressure.
What next?
Next week’s hot topic is related to the Canadian Hockey Association scandal. At the beginning of the week, the London police will hold a press conference regarding the events of summer 2018. At that time, five Canadian under-20 national team players are suspected of gang-raping a woman in a London hotel. London police have asked the players to appear and answer the charges.
Four of the players play in the NHL. After the information session at the beginning of the week, we will receive confirmations of the names and more information about the following twists and turns.
– Now the police are investigating and turning over all the stones, and there are no explanations or a way out through the money. Ice hockey is a sacred thing for me and I see all this as a wake-up call for the whole sport. We talk about the right values and good manners and the idea is to make others better. Now is the time for federations and clubs to put their values in place in this great sport. There are no gray areas, Lehkonen insists.
– This is a stoppage place for ice hockey. Here it is just expected that because all this will come out. Now you have to think about how to fix it. The community must now take a spoon in the beautiful hand and update the operation. You have to be able to give young people the right world of values and the right kind of tools.