{"id":7482,"date":"2017-03-07T21:57:45","date_gmt":"2017-03-08T02:57:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=7482"},"modified":"2017-03-07T23:00:39","modified_gmt":"2017-03-08T04:00:39","slug":"importance-parik-laine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/03\/07\/importance-parik-laine\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Patrik Laine"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s no secret that\u00a0the Calder race is closer than ever. Who will it be? Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong> or Patrik Laine<\/a><\/strong>? Maybe, Mitch Marner<\/a><\/strong>, Zach Werenski<\/a><\/strong> or Matt Murray<\/a><\/strong> will come through and sweep the rug out from underneath the top two. This year’s rookie class is full of high-end talent that are already making an impact in the NHL. Especially, 18-year-old Patrik Laine.<\/p>\n

Laine is second in the league in goal scoring, behind only Sidney Crosby<\/a><\/strong>. He is on pace for over 40 goals this season. The last rookie to accomplish that feat was Alex Ovechkin<\/a><\/strong> back in 2005-06. Pretty impressive right?<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=52bf4dXuGPw<\/p>\n

The Importance of Patrik Laine<\/h2>\n

There are a lot of comparisons between Laine and Ovechkin. Both have a shot that is unmatched by many. The fact that Laine has that type of a shot at just 18 is wild. There is still a very real chance that Laine could win the Rocket Richard trophy as an 18-year-old rookie.<\/p>\n

Historically,\u00a0there have only been three players that scored at least 30 goals and averaged at least a point per game as an 18-year old. Dale Hawerchuk<\/a><\/strong> (1981-82), Steve Yzerman<\/a><\/strong> (1983-84), and Sidney Crosby (2005-06).<\/p>\n