That’s why Patrik Laine believes he can once again become the 40-goal scorer he was at the start of his career. If he can do that, it will be a huge blow to Kent Hughes. But is it realistic?

• Read also: Laine’s complicated past and the silence of his agent

If he is mentally and physically healthy, yes. While he hasn’t hit the 30-goal mark since the winter of 2018-19, that was his last full season. Converting his performance into average goals per game played is enough to see that he is still one of the NHL’s most dangerous scorers.

Since his arrival on the Bettman scene in 2016 and 2017, the Finn has moved the strings 204 times in 480 games. So we are talking about 0.43 goals per game or, if you prefer, 35 goals per season of 82 games. For comparison, in the case of Cole Caufield we are talking about an average of 32 goals (0.40 per game).

In the 2016 class, Auston Matthews is in a class of his own with 0.65 goals per game. Laine is in second place ahead of Alex DeBrincat (0.40), Matthew Tkachuk (0.37) and Tage Thompson (0.35).

If we expand the sample to include all players who, like Laine, have played at least 480 games since the 2016-2017 season, the Canadian’s new addition again performs well compared to his teammates.

It indicates 15^e Rank, tied with Brad Marchand and Chris Kreider, veterans whose reputations are well known. Sidney Crosby (0.45) and Steven Stamkos (0.47) are not far ahead.

Reinforcements for the massive attack

If the Canadian wants to be “in the” mix», as his General Manager reiterated, he must improve his productivity through numerical superiority.

In the last three campaigns, Montreal’s massive attack could not rank higher than 27^e In the 2021-2022 season, it was even close to the bottom with a success rate of 13.7%, finishing second to last.

With his 70 power play goals, Laine could be the answer. No one on the Habs has come close to that production. Nick Suzuki is the closest with 38 power play goals in 373 games.

It remains to be seen whether Martin St-Louis will place Laine and Caufield in the same unit or whether he prefers to separate the two right-handers just so they can occupy their preferred area: the faceoff spot on the right side of the guard.

In the most likely case of the second option, there could be a lot of competition.

More mature?

The question now is whether he will be willing to get his hands a little more dirty on defense, something that has apparently never been his thing. But at 26 years old, and making his third stop at the Bettman circuit, we can assume he has achieved a certain level of maturity at this level.

Especially because St-Louis has proven so far that he is a skilled head coach who pulls the right strings and encourages everyone to fit into the team culture and get the best out of each of his players.

But first and foremost, we hope he stays healthy.

Average goals per game for players drafted in 2016

1. Austin Matthews 0.65

2. Patrick Laine 0.43

3. Alex DeBrincat 0.40

4. Matthew Tkachuk 0.37

5. Tagus Thompson 0.35

Average goals per game since the 2016-2017 season (minimum 480 games)

1. Austin Matthews 0.65

2. David Pastrana 0.56

3. Alex Ovechkin 0.56

4. Leon Draisaitl 0.53

5. Connor McDavid 0.53

15. Patrick Laine 0.43

Average goals per game among Canadiens players

1. Cole Caufield 0.40

2. Nick Suzuki 0.29

3. Brendan Gallagher 0.29

4. Alex Newhook 0.27

5. Josh Anderson 0.25

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