‘Can’t hit the net if my life depends on it’: Patrik Laine on his slow start to 2023-24

Professional athletes can be their own harshest critic. Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Patrik Laine is no different.

Laine is playing center this year after spending the first seven seasons of his career on the wing. So far, he’s won 42.1 per cent of his faceoffs with an even strength corsi of 48 per cent. Despite having a goal and an assist through three games, Laine was pretty critical of his own play to start the season.

“I feel like it’s overall been pretty awful, pretty awful so far,” Laine said, according to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. “Can’t hit the net if my life depends on it. Can’t make any plays. Can’t win a faceoff.

“Right now for 2-9 (his sweater number) there’s a lot of work,” he continued. “But that’s why we’re here, trying to figure it out and trying to get better. Good thing it’s a long season.”

Laine and the Blue Jackets are 1-2-0 through their first three games this season. Their next game is Friday night at home against the Calgary Flames.

Laine had 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 55 games through 2022-23.

Laine was drafted second overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He was the runner-up for the Calder Trophy after scoring 36 goals in his rookie season, losing to Maple Leafs’ forward Auston Matthews.

He scored a career-high 44 goals in his second season, following that up with 30 in 2018-19. However, he hasn’t hit the 30-goal mark since then. After being traded to the Blue Jackets in January 2021, the most goals he’s scored in a season was 26 in 2021-22.