New Jersey Devils: 5 Reasons Patrik Laine Is A Possibility

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 01: Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29) skates during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Winnipeg Jets on December 1, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Playing With Players His Age

When looking at the Devils, one sees a very young team. The average age doesn’t look that out of the ordinary, but that’s because a veteran on each level of the team throws off that average. Andy Greene is 36, Travis Zajac is 33 and Cory Schneider is 32.

Patrik Laine is a 21 year old superstar. He could play on a line with Nico Hischier, who won’t be old enough to drink in America until next January. He’ll play on a power play with Jesper Bratt, who will celebrate his 21st over the summer.

If the Devils welcome Ty Smith and Jesper Boqvist next season, they would have 10 players between the ages of 18 and 23 years old (if they keep Mirco Mueller). That’s a lot of young talent Laine can play with on the ice.

Not only would the locker room feel more like a young-man’s place to be, but Laine could know that he was playing with most of the same teammates for his time on the Devils.

The Jets also have a lot of young talent, but not nearly as much as the Devils have. It’s definitely not the main reason he would choose the Devils, but having Jack Hughes and Hischier as your centers for a chunk of your career definitely helps.

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