What if the Helsinki Titans didn't draft Patrik Laine?

[Laine 1,361]

 

Everyone could've guessed that Helsinki had young Finnish winger Patrik Laine on their radar in the S73 draft, but what would've happened if they didn't pick him?

 

Well, Laine would fall all the way down to the 11th spot in the S73 draft, being picked by the Calgary Wranglers. Former Calgary GM Jubis actually admitted after the S73 draft that Laine was the #1 player on their board and they would've taken him had Helsinki not beat them to it. Warsaw also showed general interest in Laine, but not enough for them to be purely in on the Finnish Winger.

 

In his first season, Laine would be called up as a rookie in S73. He would have an okay rookie season, putting up 30 points, but 25 of them are goals. Calgary would miss the playoff, but would end up with the first overall pick, where they would select LW Aloe Dear. Not many people remember this, but Laine actually played on a line with Dear and fellow European Forward Venus Thightrap at the S73 WJC, leading Europe to a Gold Medal, so there would already be some friendship and chemistry between the two young forwards.

 

Laine, now playing alongside Dear, would finally find his footing in his second year, putting up 35 goals and 65 points, leading Calgary to the North American Conference Finals where they would be defeated in a grueling 7 game series against the Seattle Bears.

 

Laine's third season would be one to remember. He would record 56.....GOALS! 114 POINTS as the Wranglers would tear apart the North American Conference in the regular season and the playoffs, including 2 playoff hat tricks from Laine in another Conference Final against the Bears, this time swiftly defeating them in 5 games. The Continental Cup would finally be there for Calgary, if they just beat the Titans.

 

WAIT? THE TITANS? Yeah, the Helsinki Titans! They are on a hot streak themselves thanks to Sophomore Dakota Lamb and Rookie Phenom Venus Thightrap! The truth is, if Laine wasn't available, I still think Jubo would've rounded out his forward core by getting a potential 1C in Dakota Lamb in S73 and trading up to snag Venus Thightrap in the S74 draft.

 

Who wins? Well, some would tell you that Calgary would run them over thank to Laine's physicality and shot, mixed with white hot defense, while others believe Helsinki had a well more rounded lineup with Lamb and Thightrap patrolling the middle. The series would definitely go 7 games, but a 64-save shutout performance by Helsinki Netminder Zamboni Driver would seal the series, with Helsinki going all the way.

 

Laine and the Wranglers would not be done though, behind a strong core of Laine, Dear and other young players and FAs, Calgary would win 2 Continental Cups during Laine's tenure in Calgary, before he would sign a 1-year contract to play his final season back home in Helsinki in S80. In his final season, Laine would lead Helsinki in goals, netting 51 as the Titans would win another Continental Cup as Laine retires on top.

 

(512 words)

 

 

Edited April 14, 2021 by PatrikLaine

[mattyIceman 1,213]

You obviously think highly of yourself there eh patty?

[Laine 1,361]

21 minutes ago, MattyIce said:

You obviously think highly of yourself there eh patty?

a man can dream. Not even close to my actual production though. WAAAY too high