Blue Jackets' Laine in the spotlight ahead of first game vs. Jets

WINNIPEG - Given the circumstances, it was next to impossible that Patrik Laine was going to find himself anywhere else but in the middle of the spotlight.

Such is life when a guy is chosen second overall in the 2016 NHL Draft and immediately infused life into the Winnipeg Jets organization, bringing them the type of natural, game-breaking goal scorer that was missing since the 2.0 version of the Jets relocated from Atlanta in 2011.

Not only does Friday represent the first time Laine is facing his former team since the blockbuster trade sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets in January of 2021, it’s his first visit back to Winnipeg as well.

With that comes a heavy dose of anticipation and excitement.

As Laine spoke to members of the media for nearly 14 minutes on Friday morning, he displayed a wide range of emotions and you can expect the same in the moments before puck drop.

While the trademark humour came out in full force - with a tongue-in-cheek warning to Nikolaj Ehlers to keep his head up and a joke about wanting to pump a couple goals past Connor Hellebuyck (since he didn’t know backup Eric Comrie would be the guy starting for the Jets), Laine was also a tad reserved.

The banter was friendly, though Laine seemed to be holding back just a little.

Perhaps that had more to do with the ground he’s covered off the ice, in addition to bouncing back big-time after a disappointing start to his tenure in Ohio.

“Yeah, it’s been kind of a roller coaster emotionally this year,” said Laine. “It’s been definitely one of the toughest years, not hockey-wise, that I’ve had. But I think it’s just a good time to learn and grow as a human. I feel like I’ve done that so far. It’s been a weird one.”

The loss of his father was at the heart of that emotional roller coaster and dealing with that brought a heavy dose of perspective.

“I've just realized this year that, or you learn to respect and appreciate these things that we're doing,” said Laine. “This is a pretty cool profession that we get to do, and there's not too many people in the world that can say the same thing.

“After losing my dad I probably learned to appreciate these small things a little bit more. You never know when it's going to end. So just have fun every day, work hard and at least after that you won't have any regrets. Just appreciate the small things every day.”

One thing Laine had little to no interest in doing was revisiting his time with the Jets, other than to thank the fans and to speak glowingly about his time here. This wasn’t a time to focus on any potential regrets or wonder about why might have been.

“Honestly, no. Ever since the trade I don't think I've had many thoughts about it,” said Laine. “Doesn't matter how much you think about it, it's not going to change. I haven't started analyzing it, really. It just didn't work out for me, it didn't work out for the team. And obviously they found a great trade for them that's been working out.”

The trade is working out for both parties, with Laine and Jack Rolsovic contributing to a team that is showing some direction and potential under head coach Brad Larsen, while Pierre-Luc Dubois has grown into a leader and key contributor with the Jets.

We won’t fully know the true winner of the deal until long-term deals are signed or subsequent deals are made, but that’s a subject for another day.

Laine has definitely kept tabs on how players on the Jets are doing. But he’s not watching their games and he most definitely had no interest in weighing in with any thoughts on why his former team finds itself in such a precarious position below the playoff line in the Western Conference.

“Honestly haven’t paid too much attention. For the team’s success, I have no idea. I haven’t watched it enough,” said Laine. “It’s not really my job to try to analyze why are they where they are right now. Just happy for the guys, a lot of my good buddies, they’re having really good years. I wish them all the best. Just not tonight."

“Last year was just overall tough. I didn’t want to think about anything," Laine added. "Right now, I just appreciate the time that I spent here. All the great memories here. A lot of great times. But now, just happy to be where I am right now. Obviously I miss a lot of the guys still. Try to keep in touch with them. It was a great chapter I had. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed it. But it was time to move on for myself and for the team. Really happy with where I am right now.”

Laine has moved on and found himself a place where he feels he can be himself. He’s no longer worried about whether or not he will be promoted to the top line or when he might be given an expanded role.

He’s wearing flashy suits and showing off his fashion sense. He’s also working on the same things the Jets were trying to bring out of him and Larsen sees progress in that area.

“He's a special player. There are things that he can do that – he's a one percenter, really,” said Larsen. “And, again, I'll reiterate this: It’s not just the goals. That can be a really dangerous indicator if that's all you're basing your game on. You talk to his teammates, I think he's made huge strides from last year with us and how he's approaching the game; how he approached it away from the game, even in the locker room, in the gym, his practice habits."

“Everything seems to have turned the dial a little bit for him. Then you add his shot, his skills, what he can do with the puck, his release; all of those things Winnipeg saw for a lot of years, you’re starting to see that at a consistent pace. He's a really good player. And I think there's a lot more there, too.”

Through it all, Laine never lost faith in himself or his ability, even though he continues to be a critical self evaluator.

“Yeah, I don't know. I've always believed and I've been told that every time you work hard, the success is going to come at some point,” said Laine. “It didn't come last year, and I wasn't working hard enough. That's no secret. Kind of let it go at times. But try to learn from your mistakes and not make them happen again. So that's kind of what I took from last year, that I don't want this kind of season ever happen to me again.”

Despite dealing with an injury that sidelined him for nearly eight weeks and dealing with the death of his father, Laine is playing some of the best hockey of his career.

He’s scored 19 goals during the past 23 games -- a heater that resembles the ridiculous 18 goal stretch he produced with the Jets in Nov. 2018 -- that was kickstarted during the Global Series games in his home country of Finland.

Laine isn’t quite sure what type of reaction he will receive.

Yes, he was beloved for his candid nature and ability to fill the net. That doesn’t mean there won’t be some folks disappointed he didn’t stick around longer.

“For us to win. That’s what I’m expecting. From the fans, I have no clue. I don’t know. I’ll take whatever they give me,” said Laine, who has 25 goals and 48 points in 46 games this season. “Just try to be the same guy on the ice, and off the ice, that I was here. And I think that’s just it.”

The last time Laine stepped on the ice in Winnipeg was for the season opener against the Calgary Flames on Jan. 14, 2021.

In what not even Laine knew would be his last game with the Jets, he scored twice -- including a highlight-reel overtime winner. He’d love nothing more than to leave another lasting impression.

“No, I had no clue. I didn't think that was going to be my last game. But at least I left with style, so that's good,” said Laine. “I have those memories in the back of my head forever, that I had here and had with this team. But yeah, try to make it the same kind of night, but just with the other team this time.” 

Much has transpired since those days, including the informal request to be moved that was ultimately granted.

There is no doubt there are many folks who will be thrilled to see Laine skate onto the ice, even if he’s wearing visiting colours.

And while Roslovic and former Jets assistant and Manitoba Moose head coach Pascal Vincent are sure to receive a warm welcome back as well, it will be Laine who is the recipient of a standing ovation as a stick tap for what he meant to this organization.

Even if things didn’t last as long as they could have -- or maybe even should have.