Laine on no longer being included in the same class as Matthews, Eichel, and others

When Patrik Laine was drafted at the number 2 position at the 2016 draft, he was pegged as one of the best pure goal scorers to come through the system in a while. He quickly proved people right, netting 36 goals in his first season and 40 in his second. Since then, Laine has dropped off and is no longer being mentioned as being in the same class as guys like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and others. He insists it doesn't bother him.

"I know that when I'm on, I'm probably just as good as those guys. I can do things that not many guys can do," he said. "It doesn't matter if I'm not in the conversation for winning [an award] in someone's opinion. I don't care about that. I want to win and play good. That's all that matters to me."

Laine had his worst season in the NHL in his career in 2020-21, and admits it wasn't fun.

"Last year was tough. Kinda lost the reason why we play hockey: the passion, having fun," said Laine. "I feel like that's been back for this year. I think this year, I've been able to just enjoy hockey."

Laine has managed just 15 games this season after going through an oblique injury and the loss of his father. He has four goals and 12 points in those 15 games. Laine told ESPN he doesn't want to just be known as a goal scorer.

"I don't want to be thought of just as the guy who scores. I want to do more than that," he said.

"I mean, I've dealt with certain labels pretty much my whole career. It's not easy to get out of it. But I don't keep myself in a box. I know I can do different things. I want to be able to do multiple things on the ice. Not just score and be a liability in every other aspect."

Source: ESPN

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