Blackhawks impressed by Winnipeg's high-flying Laine

In the middle of answering a question about Winnipeg's Patrik Laine a couple of weeks ago, Patrick Kane casually mentioned how the 19-year-old phenom uses a "unique stick."

After Kane heaped considerable praise upon a player who has an astounding 77 goals in 143 NHL games, a curious reporter couldn't help but ask: "What do you mean by unique stick?"

"From what I noticed, it's almost one of those two-pieced sticks," Kane said. "He's got an (Alex) Ovechkin curve … where he's got a big toe hook and he puts the puck in the pocket in the toe and just kind of leaves it on his stick. …

"You see all of his goals, they're rocket shots into places he wants it to go. It's pretty impressive."

It sure is, and Laine has been using every tool in his well-packed arsenal to rack up ridiculous numbers since entering the league last season. Laine, who will turn 20 on April 19, has piled up the third-most goals in NHL history as a teenager, is second in the league this season with 41 scores, and figures to be one giant thorn in the Hawks' side for many years to come.

"He certainly shoots it as good or better than anyone in the game," said coach Joel Quenneville, whose Blackhawks face the Jets three times down the stretch, including at Winnipeg on Thursday. "His early recognition, the way it releases off the stick so quickly - he beats the goalie a lot of times just from that alone."

Here's the scariest part for the Hawks, Blues, Wild, Avs, Stars and almost every other team in the West: Laine is far from Winnipeg's only threat. This team is absolutely loaded with high-end talent that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff either has - or could have - under contract for the next five-plus years.

Winnipeg's roster isn't much different from last season - when the Jets went 40-35-7 and finished 7 points out of the playoffs - yet they are 41-19-10 and have clearly turned a corner.

"They probably felt they underachieved last year," said Jonathan Toews. "When a team with that ability, with a lot of young talent, gets the experience after maybe a rough season or two, eventually they build up that will to get on top.

"We're seeing them play really well right now."

The Hawks have actually handed Winnipeg 2 of its 19 regulation losses, winning 5-1 and 2-1. Laine was the Jets' lone goal-scorer in that second contest, and he has been on an incredible roll since, scoring 21 times in 25 games.

What makes Laine special is his ability to consistently score on long-range shots. According to TSN Hockey, Laine's goals come from an average of 31 feet away from the net, higher than any other player. The league average is 14.3 feet.

"When you can beat goaltenders from way out like that with no screens and no obstructions, it says a lot about your ability to shoot the puck," Toews said. "When a guy like that gets confident, you can see what he can do."

Laine has connected on 19.7 percent of his attempts, but has upped that rate to a ridiculous 26.7 percent in the last 27 games.

A team might deny him for most of the game, but all Laine needs is one small opening or one split-second breakdown in coverage and he'll make you pay.

"I talked with my dad the other day after they played Philly (on Saturday)," said Hawks defenseman Connor Murphy. "And he was frustrated on the phone. He was like, 'Man. Our guys were focused on him all night. They shut him down and then he gets one good look and he scores.'

"He has that knack for scoring and takes advantage of his opportunities."

The Hawks will certainly do their best to deny Laine on Thursday, on March 29 and on April 7.

But even if they do, there's no doubt that No. 29 - and his "unique stick" - will be wreaking havoc for many years to come.

• Follow John on Twitter @johndietzdh

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Flying high

The Winnipeg Jets have the potential to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference for many years. Here's why:

• Patrik Laine has 77 goals in 143 games (23 in the past 27 games). He's only 19 and won't be a restricted free agent until 2019-20.

• At 21, Nikolaj Ehlers has 27 goals, and he carries a $6 million cap hit through 2024-25.

• Rookie Kyle Connor has 23 goals despite missing six games. He will be an RFA in 2019-20.

• Mark Scheifele has averaged 34 goals per 82 games the past three seasons and carries a $6.125 million cap hit through 2023-24.

• Blake Wheeler leads the NHL in assists (59) and power-play assists (30). He's 31, at the top of his game, and signed through next season.

• On defense, only 33-year-old Toby Enstrom is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Tyler Myers will be a UFA in two years.

• Goalie Connor Hellebuyck, 24, is 35-11-9, has a .925 save percentage and a 2.36 goals-against average. He will be an RFA on July 1.

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place, 7 p.m. Thursday

TV: NBCSCH • Radio: 720-AM

The skinny: This will be the Jets' first home contest after a six-game road trip in which they went 3-2-1. They lost the last three to Philly, Washington (in OT) and Nashville. ... Patrik Laine (41 goals) is 1 behind Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead. Blake Wheeler (18G, 59A) is ninth in points. ... Winnipeg's power-play is third (24.1 percent), and penalty kill is fourth (83.0). ... The Hawks defeated the Jets in their previous two meetings - 5-1 on Dec. 14 and 2-1 on Jan. 12. ... Anton Forsberg starts in net. ... Joel Quenneville won't rule out a Corey Crawford return, but admitted the Hawks are "not as optimistic" as they were in the past. The Hawks have just 11 games left after Thursday.

Next: Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, noon, Saturday

- John Dietz