Patrik Laine greatly needed a change of scenery as the Four Nations Confrontation break approached. He was alternating between the third and fourth trio in Montreal and his production was lacking.

Laine still has 12 goals and 18 points in 28 games – a 23-goal, 35-point pace over 54 games. So while it’s a far cry from his 40-goal days, he still has managed to be good in spurts. But right ...