Laine named Finland’s player of year

Injured Jet no closer to a return

By: Jason Bell Posted: 10:33 PM CST Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017

Finland’s 2016 hockey player of the year won’t be rejoining the Winnipeg Jets any time soon.

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Finland’s 2016 hockey player of the year won’t be rejoining the Winnipeg Jets any time soon.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/01/2017 (3162 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Finland’s 2016 hockey player of the year won’t be rejoining the Winnipeg Jets any time soon.

Patrik Laine has missed five games after suffering a concussion in Buffalo in a game against the Sabres Jan. 7 and hasn’t resumed skating.

The 18-year-old right-winger, who was recently named his homeland’s player of the year, took a huge hit in the neutral zone from Sabres defenceman Jake McCabe and had to be helped off the ice.

CP
Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine (29) warms up for an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Buffalo, N.Y. Rookie star Laine skated with the Jets today for the first time since suffering a concussion earlier this month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes — CP Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine (29) warms up for an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Buffalo, N.Y. Rookie star Laine skated with the Jets today for the first time since suffering a concussion earlier this month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said progress from the injury comes slowly.

“I could tell he’s improving and that would be true. And then we have to wait til (today) to see if it’s more true,” Maurice said.

“Yes, it’s good. We like to think (he’s) getting better every day, (but) careful about saying that because (with the) normal course there are times when it doesn’t get better every day.

“I’ll tell you the first day that he’s on the ice. He’s in that process of feeling better, (doing) light stuff, and then the first day he skates, we won’t hide it from you.”

Laine, picked second overall in June’s NHL Draft behind Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), was the leading goal scorer at the 2016 world junior championship and led Finland to a gold medal.

He followed that up with a terrific performance at the world championship and then won the Liiga league title with club team Tappara.

He was tied for first with Matthews in NHL rookie scoring with 37 points (21 goals) prior to the Maple Leafs game against the Sabres Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Jets blue-liner Tyler Myers is back with the team, but is still dealing with a personal family matter and a lower-body injury. He’s been sidelined for 31 games and missed five games earlier this season.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPJasonBell