Laine eager to return to play, regardless of format

Winnipeg Jets sniper Patrik Laine is excited to hopefully get back on the ice this summer and compete for the Stanley Cup, but he knows his game won't pick up where it left off.

"My game is probably gonna look terrible since I haven't skated for two months," Laine said on a video conference call Friday, according to The Canadian Press. "It's always a struggle to come back after a long period when you haven't skated."

The NHL is reportedly voting on a 24-team playoff format that'll be used if the league returns to finish the 2019-20 season. Under the proposed format, the Jets would take on the Calgary Flames in a best-of-five play-in series.

Despite the potential expanded field, tougher path to the title, and the likelihood of being quarantined in a hub city, Laine is simply looking forward to competing.

"I just want to play, and I can do whatever format they decide. It's still hockey, but I don't mind the format. It's not an issue for me," Laine said. "I'll have to bring my computer so that I can play some video games. It will be boring, but if that's what it requires to play hockey this summer, that's fine with me. I don't mind and I don't need to go anywhere but my hotel room. So that would be just normal for me on the road.

"If that's necessary, I don't mind it."

The 22-year-old was having a solid season before the pause, recording 28 goals and 35 assists in 68 games.