Blue Jackets Must Score Big With Laine Contract

It’s easy to compare every talented player that comes through Columbus to Panarin. Artemi stole the show on a near nightly basis for the Blue Jackets, showcasing elite playmaking skills while also being a responsible two-way player. He drove the offense, especially on the rush, and made decisions that I don’t even think other NHL players saw as options.

Before Panarin, there was Rick Nash, whose jersey now hangs in the rafters. Nash burst onto the scene as the only first overall pick in franchise history, and quite literally wrote the record books in Columbus. Nash was big, physical, had some of the best hands and finishing skills in the game, and was the face of the franchise for almost a decade.

Patrik Laine is not really comparable to neither player. Laine doesn’t have the glowing personality of Nash, or the play driving skills of Panarin. While he checks in at 6-5, 216 pounds, he isn’t likely going to run someone through the end boards with a huge hit. So in these regards, I don’t see Laine as the center piece of a Cup contending team.

With all that said, Patrik is an elite talent in his own way. We all know about his lethal shot. We’ve all seen the flashy dangles and sneaky passes, that often catch other teams off guard. And, it’s noteworthy that he has worked hard to improve his two-way play, which was evident this season even when he was struggling to find the net. So, surely, Laine is an extremely important piece in this team’s future, one that Jarmo should find a way to lock up long-term. But the dollars in this deal are important, especially with rumors of a potential flat cap for the next several seasons. Imagine losing a Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, or any other of the talented young players coming into this system; because of a top-loaded team.

Laine is the kind of player that will need to be surrounded by talent, to be at his most potent. It’s extremely unfair to call him a one trick pony, but his shot is his biggest asset. Skilled players can free up time and space for him, and he is capable of scoring almost at will when he has time and space. Imagine a power play with him not being the only consistently dangerous weapon. Boone Jenner had a fine year as his center, but is it fair to lean on Boone for that role long-term? Giving Laine a legitimate, #1 NHL center will also be a priority as we move along.

Perhaps the most fair comparison to Laine is a less-physical version of Alex Ovechkin. “The Great 8” has been the premier goal scorer in the NHL since bursting into the league in the 2005-06 season, and Laine brings a lot of the same qualities to the table. That said, Ovechkin would not be nearly the same player he has become over the years, without the talented supporting cast in Washington.