Laich is a good player but AKost is the only potential gamebreaker of the two. If the Habs needed a tying or OT goal I wouldn't expect it to come from Laich. Besides, Laich is older.
Brooks Laich. No doubt about it. He has the size of Kostitsyn, the points of kostitsyn, but unlike kostitsyn, he can play in all situations. He's can be on any line and succesfully fill that role. You want him to score on the powerplay, he'll do it. Kill of a 5-on-3. Done. Gooutthere with white and Moen and start banging. he's your guy. He's got a heart too, something kostitsyn lacks. That's the kind of players montreal needs.
The thing with Laich is that he can play all Position very well, so if u need a big center at the draw or if injuries occur that guy can be place anywhere in ur top 6 and that a big + compare to AK ... However AK is more skills but Laich is wayyyyyyyy better in the corners and mostly he goes in front of the net.
I will love to get both here in Mtl but if i had to pick only 1 Laich is my Boy
The thing with Laich is that he can play all Position very well, so if u need a big center at the draw or if injuries occur that guy can be place anywhere in ur top 6 and that a big + compare to AK ... However AK is more skills but Laich is wayyyyyyyy better in the corners and mostly he goes in front of the net.
I will love to get both here in Mtl but if i had to pick only 1 Laich is my Boy
AK goes in front of the net. If you look at his goals this year you'll see that a lot of them were from in close to the net. I'm tired of having to say this. People assume he's soft and allergic to the front of the net just because he's russian.
AK goes in front of the net. If you look at his goals this year you'll see that a lot of them were from in close to the net. I'm tired of having to say this. People assume he's soft and allergic to the front of the net just because he's russian.
yes he goes in front of the net but he never stop in the crease while Laich stop right there and get a lot of garbage goals in the crease.. and nobody with a right mind will tell u that AK is soft....
This isn't the general consensus but I think AK46 has heart, especially after this season (defensively)
Still ppl seem to forget that Laich is +30 is his last 2 years while AK is +4
Laich is way better then AK defensively..there is a reason why hes first in his team in SH time per game
Laich is way better then AK defensively..there is a reason why hes first in his team in SH time per game
That wherein lies a problem. You don't want to be paying $4m+ to someone to be a defensive specialist. Its why Pleks is so ineffective in the playoffs, we are forced to use him as our shut down guy. That is a waste of $5m in cap space in the playoffs. We need him to score.
There is a reason for teams having 3rd line shut down guys. Look at how Kessler's numbers have improved in Vancouver with him taking a more offensive role and having Manny Maholtra take on the defensive roles.
Find legit shut down players, don't tire our your $4m and $5m top six forwards in a shut down role.
Still ppl seem to forget that Laich is +30 is his last 2 years while AK is +4
Laich is way better then AK defensively..there is a reason why hes first in his team in SH time per game
Not saying Laich is bad defensively but his plus-minus is difficult to follow as he plays for washington.
Ak will get about 3.75M while Laich will get probably at least 4.5M
And there are alot of other teams interested that could raise that into the 5 millions, unfortunately for them.
Andrei. He's the better scorer and he's the better matchup guy, IMO. And anyway the two are close but AK will be cheaper (he's RFA and doesn't have Laich's reputation).
People who diss Andrei's game should remember that Jacques Martin would unhesitatingly throw him over the boards alongside Plekanec against the opponent's top guns. I don't think he is awesome, but he is far from helpless.
That said, looking over Laich's even-strength scoring I was impressed -- he has 30+ even-strength points over his last couple seasons. But then so would AKost if he hadn't been hurt last year.
That wherein lies a problem. You don't want to be paying $4m+ to someone to be a defensive specialist. Its why Pleks is so ineffective in the playoffs, we are forced to use him as our shut down guy. That is a waste of $5m in cap space in the playoffs. We need him to score.
There is a reason for teams having 3rd line shut down guys. Look at how Kessler's numbers have improved in Vancouver with him taking a more offensive role and having Manny Maholtra take on the defensive roles.
Find legit shut down players, don't tire our your $4m and $5m top six forwards in a shut down role.
First i never said Laich was a defensive specialist but hes great at it while having second line duties + 2PP
Secondly look at Kesler time on SH this year and u will see that hes still second on his team on PK and first in the playoff while having a Career high + 40 goals + maybe MVP SC!!!
If MTL sign Laich he will become one of the best PP&PK guy on this team while creating a lot of space on 5 on 5 for players like Cammy and Pleck
ok heres the deal. i like laich good team guy and can gets points and isnt afraid to go to the net but habs have a player like like in max pacioretty. ak will be cheaper and habs fans can just pray he can get to his potential. laich is probably the 4th best forward out there and will get like 4_4.5 mil and he doesnt deserve that.
What choice?? You're talking about a Hab that measures out point wise against the league as a top 6 player. Not only that, the guy brings a physicality to the game rarely seen in players with his skill set. Cripes! Besides Kostitsyn, Plekanec, and Pacioretty the top 6 is really soft.
PS: Take a look at the Canucks. That is how a winning team is built.
