Jets' Maurice: Laine will get immediate 'opportunity to excel'
Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice is relishing the opportunity to watch No. 2 overall pick Patrik Laine develop into an NHL star.
Laine was forced to miss development camp because of knee surgery, but Maurice said he's back at full speed, and he expects his prized prospect to transition to the NHL seamlessly.
"He's certainly going to be given the opportunity to excel right out of the gate," Maurice said, according to Mike Morreale of NHL.com.
"Patrik is going to be able to do all those things he's always been able to do. How long it takes him to do it, I don't know, but he's going to get a chance to play. He fits in to what we're trying to do as a hockey team so you'll live with some mistakes that are youth-generated, but he's a very special talent and I would not be surprised if he comes in and is able to finish and put up numbers."
Laine exploded on the the scene last season after earning a gold medal with Finland at the World Junior Championships, while also scoring 33 points in 46 games in SM-liiga, followed by 15 points in 18 playoff games as an 18-year-old.
Before reporting to Jets training camp, though, Laine will represent the Finn's at the World Cup of Hockey.