Lawless: Laine Will End Up a Superior Player to Matthews

[JohnnyT]

Figured this could be a fun non-flames topic on the board.
http://www.tsn.ca/laine-will-end-up-...thews-1.626863

I personally think its a pretty ridiculous article for Lawless to get some more front page time, but it is an interesting argument none the less.

Here's Bryan Hayes' take on the article on Toronto radio earlier today:

http://www.tsn.ca/video/hayes-vs-law...hews%7E1012827

[GranteedEV]

Something like how Ovechkin is a superior player to Anze Kopitar? Give me the guy with two Cups over the guy whose style of play has prevented his stacked teams from ever making it to the third round.

[FBI]

I don't like Laine's cocky stick twirl and holster when he scores.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Something like how Ovechkin is a superior player to Anze Kopitar? Give me the guy with two Cups over the guy whose style of play has prevented his stacked teams from ever making it to the third round.

I really don't think Ovechkin is the reason the Caps havent one a cup.

[shotinthebacklund]

My pick on draft day was laine #1 and i still stand by that. Kid is a unreal scorer in a league looking to add more scoring. The sky is his limit

[Calgary4LIfe]

I don't think it is that crazy to think Laine could be better than Mathews one day. Why not?

Nobody - and I mean NOBODY in the entire world thought that Gaudreau would overtake the 1st overall pick in 2011. Anybody call that?

This isn't much of a reach. Laine and Mathews are so close. I am sure his possession stats will go up as he matures (in case people were going to bring that up). I don't think it is that absurd a comment to make.

Who knows? Maybe Laine surpasses Mathews simply because maybe Mathews fizzles out under the intense media pressure in Toronto? Or has a career-ending stubbed toe in the morning one day?

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Something like how Ovechkin is a superior player to Anze Kopitar? Give me the guy with two Cups over the guy whose style of play has prevented his stacked teams from ever making it to the third round.

Mathews isn't Kopitar though.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Something like how Ovechkin is a superior player to Anze Kopitar? Give me the guy with two Cups over the guy whose style of play has prevented his stacked teams from ever making it to the third round.

What you are saying is if the Caps traded Ovie for Kopitar in 2012 they would have the 2 cups not the Kings?

[White Out 403]

He's already better now. Each player will jocky back and forth and who knows? Dunno how this can be considered a reach. Season ends today and he wins the calder hands down.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Mathews isn't Kopitar though.

And Matthews hasn't won a cup, so I don't get the comparison

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

What you are saying is if the Caps traded Ovie for Kopitar in 2012 they would have the 2 cups not the Kings?

There's also knuckleheads who think Dan Marino wasn't a top 5 qb all time because he didn't win a super bowl.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

He's already better now. Each player will jocky back and forth and who knows? Dunno how this can be considered a reach. Season ends today and he wins the calder hands down.

He's better at scoring goals, that's about it. He's not the complete player that Matthews is.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by mdubz

He's better at scoring goals, that's about it.

A better passer as well and has very high hockey IQ. He doesn't just have a good shot.

[N-E-B]

Two totally different players. I liked Laine better at the draft and still do.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by mdubz

He's better at scoring goals, that's about it. He's not the complete player that Matthews is.

Ya goals are overrated. All those intangibles FTW.

[Sylvanfan]

I still curse that damn draft lottery....Laine would look so awesome on the Flames with Gaudreau setting him up.

I think it's way too early. Laine is a lethal sniper to be sure, and easily looks like the best Finnish position player since Selanne. But if Matthews becomes a fantastic 200 foot center, there is a positional value there.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

What you are saying is if the Caps traded Ovie for Kopitar in 2012 they would have the 2 cups not the Kings?

Not at all. I am saying that goal scoring wingers like Laine, Ovechkin, and Iginla are luxuries that end up being difficult contracts to build around in the cap world. Maybe before 2005, a big money team like the Rangers could have really capitalized on Ovechkin's talents.

Overall his style of play as a relentless shooter does become predictable for elite goalies if he is your best forward, and it's caused their team to be unable to come through late in close playoff games numerous times over the years. Teams built around guys like Kopitar, Thornton, Datsyuk and Crosby seem to more closely resemble "teams" in tight games late in the playoffs, in my opinion.

I would still love either Matthews or Laine on the Flames. But if given the choice, even with our hole at RHS winger, Matthews is the better choice foundationally and then you figure out the rest later.

[dirk diggler]

i remember everyone thinking Sergei Samsonov was the better player than Joe Thornton in their rookie year. a bit too small of a sample size i think

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Ya goals are overrated. All those intangibles FTW.

I'm not saying goals aren't important. However, I'll take the guy who will score 10% less goals but isn't a liability in his own end, any day.

[BlackWallStreet]

Love how him (as well as Matthews) went to Canadian cities. I cheer for all our teams during the playoffs, unless however they are against the flames,of course