It’s often said that there are no two ways about making a good first impression. In Patrik Laine’s case, he passed the test with flying colors yesterday with the press conference he broke into.
If he’s won over a lot of fans, his fiancée is also doing her bit to be loved in Montreal.
It’s always important to know the market you’re going to live in and feel the pulse of the people. Like it or not, the use of French by Habs players continues to be a controversial issue.
Laine said yesterday that he misses playing in a Canadian market where people “don’t give a damn” about their team.
He joked that he wore a toque even though he was in Florida to get used to Quebec’s winter climate.
Despite his hefty contract for the next two years, it’s a nice gamble by Kent Hughes and could become a steal if he starts producing like he used to.
Laine definitely has all the tools he needs in the NHL. There’s a reason he was picked 2nd overall in the 2016 auction. His problems on and off the ice have hurt him in recent years, but he seems to be in a good frame of mind.
If there’s one coach who can get him back on track, it’s Martin St-Louis. I’m confident we’ll see a good version of Laine when the season starts.
Overtime
– Jays on fire (for once).
Five home runs in 5 innings for the Blue Jays! pic.twitter.com/8W9q4FTPIj
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 21, 2024