Patrik Laine’s name has resurfaced around the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Jay Rosehill questioning whether he is worth a low-risk gamble.
Laine remains an unrestricted free agent after a difficult NHL season with the Montreal Canadiens. The winger played only five games last season because of a severe knee injury.
Speaking on Leafs Morning Take, Rosehill recalled just how highly Laine was viewed entering the NHL.
“People were talking about him at one point being the first overall pick ahead of Auston Matthews,” Rosehill said. “He’s got skill, he can shoot, but I wouldn’t risk anything to bring him in here.”
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The 2016 draft permanently linked Laine and Matthews. Toronto selected Matthews first overall, while Winnipeg took Laine second after his standout season in Finland.
Laine quickly showed why teams viewed him as an elite offensive prospect. He scored 36 goals as a rookie and reached 44 goals during his second NHL season.
Could Toronto afford to test Patrik Laine’s upside?
Rosehill believes Toronto could explore the possibility if the financial commitment remains minimal.
“What if it’s one of those things where you pick him up for nothing,” Rosehill said. “It was just injuries and he was just depressed because of the injuries, and all of a sudden he’s ready to rocket? I don’t know.”
The bigger question involves roster structure rather than Laine’s shooting ability. Toronto needs scoring depth, but the team also needs stronger defensive reliability throughout its lineup.
That makes Laine a potentially useful gamble only if his contract carries limited risk. His history gives him significant offensive upside, but his recent availability makes a major commitment difficult to justify.
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Rosehill also admitted the decision remains complicated.
“Is it worth sniffing?” he asked. “Can you test the waters on that magic without risking anything?”
That is likely the right framework for Toronto. Laine should not become a major investment, but a cheap opportunity could make sense.
At his best, his shooting could improve Toronto’s secondary scoring and power-play options. However, the Maple Leafs cannot afford to sacrifice lineup balance for the hope of recapturing his earlier form.
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