Finnish Flash to Chevy: Laine is a no-brainer

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 10:29 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 23, 2016

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says he’s been locked in for some time on who he will select with the second-overall pick in tonight’s first round of the NHL Entry Draft.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says he’s been locked in for some time on who he will select with the second-overall pick in tonight’s first round of the NHL Entry Draft.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says he’s been locked in for some time on who he will select with the second-overall pick in tonight’s first round of the NHL Entry Draft.

Of course, Cheveldayoff hasn’t revealed his choice ahead of time, even though the majority of the hockey world expects him to make winger Patrik Laine of Finland the newest member of the Jets.

Assuming the Toronto Maple Leafs will choose No. 1-ranked Auston Matthews with the first-overall pick, Cheveldayoff’s options would seem to be either Laine or highly regarded right-winger Jesse Puljujarvi, also of Finland.

‘People are going to love him, he’s going to score a lot of goals if he gets a chance. He’s going to love Winnipeg people. That’s going to be a great fit’– Teemu Selanne on Patrik Laine

Cheveldayoff has no doubt been getting endless advice on the matter and two more voices added their opinion this week when speaking to the Free Press.

Both came out for Laine, the MVP of the Finnish league playoffs and the world championship, as the best fit for the Jets.

“Absolutely,” said the Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne. “People are going to love him, he’s going to score a lot of goals if he gets a chance. He’s going to love Winnipeg people. That’s going to be a great fit.”

TSN director of scouting Craig Button, the former GM of the Calgary Flames, said the choice ought to be easy.

“I think Laine’s the best fit for the Winnipeg Jets,” Button said. “He’s a left-winger and Mark Scheifele’s their No. 1 centre and he’s a right shot. He can get him the puck. The way they attack up the ice, the way that Mark can occupy defenders and Laine can get open on his forehand side feeding Mark, that’s a natural fit.”

Button, like Selanne, said Puljujarvi wouldn’t be the wrong answer to this question.

“I think Puljujarvi’s a heck of a player, more in the mould of a Blake Wheeler type, a real engine, and can play in a lot of different areas, but I do think Laine has that special offensive ability of a Brett Hull,” Button said.

Playing this pick safe should not enter the equation, Button said.

“I don’t think about safe players here,” he said. “If Patrik Laine doesn’t play in the NHL and isn’t a real offensive force, I’ll be shocked. Everybody will be.

“The comparison I’ve used, and only to try to talk about how good the players are and how different … is to ask me to pick between Puljujarvi and Laine is like asking me to pick between (Jari) Kurri and Selanne.

“To me, you put the two names in a hat and pick out one and you can’t go wrong. But the reason I’d take Laine is because of the fit with Scheifele. And for the record, I love Laine. I love his personality. I love his flair. I have a problem with people and players who aren’t true to their personality.

“Patrick is being true to himself. And he has matured….a terrific young man.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca