ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Yeah, most reviews indicate the Blue Jackets came out with a decent return in the trade:
Jets grade: A
Blue Jackets grade: A-
In his presser, Kekalainen noted that the team drafted Dubois at No. 3 overall in 2016 and would have loved to have moved up to No. 2, if given the chance. Five years later, the Blue Jackets GM got his man.
"I think he's an excellent power-play player and often people think of him as a shooter — which, he is a great shooter — but he's also a great passer, and those things excite me a lot," Kekalainen said of Laine on a Zoom call with reporters. "We have a weapon for the power play that we may have not had before."
Laine is an elite goal scorer who brings 140 goals in 306 games. He potted 36 in his rookie year, an impressive 44 the next season, followed by 30 and then 28 in the shortened season (he was on pace for 33). Only eight players have scored more goals since his debut. In the Jets' first game of the 2021 season, he scored two goals (along with an assist) including the game-winner in overtime.
"I won’t lie. It’s kind of sad," said the Jets' Wheeler. "Just rewind four years ago and the excitement when we drafted Patty and the steps our organization has taken and he’s a big part of that. It’s disappointing to be having this conversation. It’s the nature of pro sports and for our organization, we move forward."
Laine does have some defensive lapses to his game that could irk feisty bench boss Tortorella and it'll surely be interesting to watch this duo work together. For now, the only issue, aside from quarantining after his visa is approved — which could take some time — is that he hasn't played a game since that Winnipeg opener. He has been on the shelf with an upper-body injury.
While Laine will add a sniper to Columbus' lineup that they haven't seen since the days of Rick Nash, the one guy who should pay dividends immediately is Roslovic. The hometown kid, while not a pure talent like Dubois, could slot in soon — as mentioned, he's almost through protocol — and will be a nice addition down the middle for the club.
"He’s a good playmaker, he’s a good passer, he’s got great speed. And, again, he's going to have to earn his ice time with the coach. We fully believe that he's going to add to our center position and bring skill down the middle and time will tell how it goes."
Selected 25th overall by Winnipeg in 2015, Roslovic brings 67 points (26 goals, 41 assists) in 180 games to Columbus. In the last two seasons, where he played in 148 games, he saw his ice time, Corsi For percentage at 5 vs. 5 (51.54 in 2019-20) and ixG at 5 vs. 5 (4.54 in 2018-19 to 8.15 last season) all increase, per Natural Stat Trick. Last season he won 47.29 percent of his faceoffs, which is a few ticks higher than other guys — such as Max Domi at 46.8 and Boone Jenner at 46.7 — whom Kekalainen mentioned on the call would slot at center.
Maurice noted that Roslovic, 22, ran into some center depth in Winnipeg with Scheifele, Little and Adam Lowry in front of him. He played the wing some last year too, so he has developed a more overall forward game.
"He skates well, he can handle the puck, he can make plays, he’s got good vision and in great shape. I think playing at home will be real good for him," added Maurice.
As the Columbus GM said, time will tell how this one shakes out. But, on paper, it does give a boost to the struggling Blue Jackets' offensive numbers.
Entire article: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl...disgruntled-players/6hzrx1wccjto1qbz18xxytqpx
Just askin': Why do so many Blue Jacket players not really want to stay in Columbus?
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