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If personality had been the defining characteristic, Patrik Laine would have been the top choice in the NHL draft. He exudes confidence. His 6-foot-4, 206-pound frame screams talent. "He's going to be better than all of them," said one Western Conference executive, comparing Laine's abilities to the other top draft picks. "He's a special kid. He can shoot the puck and wants the puck in big situations." Auston Matthews was the first overall selection, by the Toronto Maple Leafs, at the draft Friday night at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. That was expected. The No. 2 pick was also a no-brainer, as the Winnipeg Jets selected Laine, 18. Laine believes he's ready to have an immediate impact in the NHL, and many scouts agree. "He should be ready to play," one Western Conference scout said. Laine (pronounced lah-NAY) is already being compared to former Jets forward, and fellow Finland native, Teemu Selanne, who was selected in the first round (No. 10 overall) by the Jets in 1988. Laine hopes he can have a similar impact in Winnipeg, and the organization believes he has the potential. "We knew we were going to have the opportunity to get a very special player," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "Being able to continue some scouting and watch him play at the world championships, it only went to confirm how excited we were to have the opportunity to draft him. "Meeting him at the combine, his personality is fantastic. We had some great conversations, some good laughs and it's going to be a really great fit for the city of Winnipeg and certainly for our franchise." When Laine said in the weeks leading up to the draft that he should be chosen No. 1 over Matthews, no one should have been surprised by his confidence. After all, you don't become one of the best pro prospects in the world by being timid. "When you talk to players of that kind of caliber, you expect those kind of answers," Cheveldayoff said. "But I think it's how you deliver it and the context of everything, so when you're sitting in the confines of the meeting, that's what you're looking for -- you're looking for how it's delivered and how it's handled. "When you're asking those kinds of questions, you see a kind of humility when he's saying it. It's like, 'Look, I know I'm a good player, but I just want to play hockey. I want to be the best and the best at everything I do and I'm driven towards it.' I would venture a guess that within the confines of a lot of meetings over the course of time, the good players probably said that as well." Laine's sense of humor also stood out. "There are lots of little things you talk about and he's quick to answer," Cheveldayoff said. "He's got a good command of the English language, so he understands and he's thoughtful in his answers. There's always that dry sense of humor."  Case in point: The Jets took Laine to dinner after the scouting combine concluded earlier this month in Buffalo. Cheveldayoff asked Laine the most important question he was asked in any interview with any team: "What do you want for dinner tonight?" "Within a nanosecond he said, 'Steak.' We all started laughing and there was no hesitation, nothing," Cheveldayoff said. "There was just that ease and that comfort that was there from the get-go." Cheveldayoff not only watched Laine in person, the GM also spent countless hours watching game tapes of the young prospect. Cheveldayoff noticed subtle aspects of Laine's game that jumped out, including his defensive play and his strong hockey sense. He's more than just a pure goal scorer. Laine understands finding time and space is just as important as letting a one-timer fly. "Those are the things that separate the good players from the very good players, and the fact that the bigger the stage, the better he played," Cheveldayoff said. Matthews, who is expected to help turn the Maple Leafs' misfortunes around, knows the impact Laine will have in Winnipeg. "He's a great player," Matthews said. "Obviously he's got that big size, big shots." Laine's play at the World Junior Championship and the World Championships earned him a spot on the Finnish World Cup team. He was recently added to the roster, which was a smart decision for Finland. He's a dynamic player and will add a youthful spark to an already impressive team. "That was a huge thing to be selected to the World Cup team with the best players in Finland and all around the world," Laine said. "It's an honor to be part of that team and part of that tournament, and I just want to show everybody that I'm a good player and I can play there." Even though he was sporting a Jets sweater Friday night, he's also preparing to represent his country at the World Cup in September. "Of course it gives you a lot of motivation to be in a World Cup team and be drafted second overall," Laine said. "I don't think it's going to change anything about my training and everything. I'm just going to train as good as I can and let's see what's the result after the summer." The Jets have no issue with Laine playing for Finland before he plays his first regular-season game for Winnipeg. "It's part of what makes him him," Cheveldayoff said. "You don't get a player like this without the understanding and the acceptance of the fact that he's earned that right to be there, and those are the things that make it intriguing. We're supportive of him and we're going to be excited to watch him represent his country. "When you get a chance to represent your country, it's an honor and we've always looked at it in that regard and we're certainly proud of him, even though he's only been a part of our family for a couple of days." Laine has the potential to be an outstanding player in the NHL and help the Jets become a stronger team. It's already evident the organization will allow him to blossom into the type of player it knows he can become. Laine's personality on and off the ice will only help his play. The organization will not stifle his growth in that category and the Jets will reap the benefits. "We're going to learn more about him next season because he's going to be in the NHL," an Eastern Conference GM said. "He's a colorful kid."
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