Don’t put much stock in Laine’s goal total dipping to 28. He was easily on pace to hit 30 goals for a fourth consecutive season, despite recording only eight goals with the man-advantage. He was more effective at even strength and set a career-high for assists . His ice time was up and so was his engagement level.About the only things missing were the prolonged dry spells of a season prior — and that’s a testament to the work Laine put in both on and off the ice.
Same goes for Ehlers, who was on the verge of his first 30-goal season at the time of the pause and was one of the most dynamic players in the Jets lineup during the qualifying round against the Calgary Flames. Both Ehlers and Laine are the type of guys that would leave other teams salivating, were they to be made available.Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox!Ehlers is under contract at $6 million for the next five seasons. At a time when every dollar counts, that’s what GMs call cost certainty.
NHLJets WiebesWorld Domi, Caufield and the habs 16th overall pick for Laine. Would you do it?