Patrik Laine crashes in 2016 NHL re-draft
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Patrik Laine once went second overall behind Auston Matthews. In a full 2016 NHL re-draft, the Montreal Canadiens winger now falls near the 20th pick.
On draft night in Buffalo, the Winnipeg Jets grabbed Laine at No.2 after his explosive season in Finland. His shot immediately made him one of hockey's most feared young scorers.
Early returns backed that hype.
Laine scored 36 goals in his rookie season and followed with 44 goals the next year. Few players from that class exploded offensively as quickly.
But the long view of the draft tells a very different story.
Over 537 NHL games, Laine has produced 224 goals and 422 points. Strong totals, yet not enough to keep him among the elite names from the class.
And when the entire group is evaluated today, the board shifts dramatically.
The 2016 class looks completely different
Auston Matthews still sits comfortably at No.1. The Toronto Maple Leafs center has piled up 428 goals and 780 points across 689 games.
Matthew Tkachuk rises to No.2 after building one of the league's most complete power-forward profiles.
Then comes Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson at No.3. Originally drafted 26th overall, he has already scored 210 goals in 514 games.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy lands at No.4, while New York Rangers star Adam Fox jumps all the way to No.5 after being taken 66th overall.
Several other late picks surge into the top ten.
Clayton Keller continues to produce offense year after year, Brandon Hagel evolves into a relentless two-way winger, and Alex DeBrincat piles up goals wherever he plays.
Even Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson climbs into the top group thanks to his strong numbers in net.
Mikhail Sergachev rounds out the new top ten after years of heavy minutes from the blue line.
That wave of development pushes several original top-ten picks far down the board.
Laine becomes the most dramatic example.
A player once projected as a franchise sniper now lands around the 20th spot when the class is rebuilt from scratch.
The 2016 draft still produced stars.
It just didn't produce them in the order anyone expected.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 14|29 ANSWERS Patrik Laine crashes in 2016 NHL re-draft Did Patrik Laine fall too far in this 2016 NHL re-draft ? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 51.7 % |
| No | 14 | 48.3 % |
| List of polls | ||