Aitio: A harsh assessment dropped from Patrik Laine – "No longer have the heart to play"

For the first time in his career as an unrestricted free agent exploring new teams, Patrik Laine is still without a new job, even though the market has been open for a week.

The controversial hockey personality Petteri Sihvonen paints a rather bleak picture of Laine’s current situation in the NHL in his recent article. Sihvonen sees Laine’s passion for hockey as having faded.

– From what I have observed of Laine in the NHL, my conclusion is that he no longer has the wings and heart to play properly, Sihvonen states in his article on Aition.

– The disadvantage he gives to others is related to what’s between the ears. When you give away even five percent from there, the games are over, Sihvonen continues.

According to Sihvonen’s assessment, Laine’s passion for the sport has gradually diminished. The former goal scorer’s career spiraled downwards around the same time as the surprising death of his father, Harri.

– Even those who have seen him up close somehow did not notice that Laine’s mental side was fading, that the most important thing in his soul and life was no longer playing hockey, Sihvonen laments.

Sihvonen does not believe Laine will continue his career outside the NHL. The analyst sees Laine’s life continuing more likely in North America than in Europe.

– It would surprise me if Laine came to Europe to play again. I don’t believe that. Who knows, he may have become so Americanized that he stays there to live once his career is over. Go figure, Sihvonen concludes.

Laine has played 537 regular season games in the NHL over ten seasons. In these, the 2016 second overall pick has amassed 224+198=422 points.