Jets' Scheifele: Patrik Laine 'pretty unbelievable'
After spending much of the World Championship gold medal game shutting down Finland's top line, Canadian forward Mark Scheifele couldn't help but compliment a young forward on the opposing team - who may be his future Winnipeg Jets teammate - Patrik Laine.
"He's pretty unbelievable," Scheifele said, via Luke Fox of Sportsnet on Tuesday. "He's obviously young, and sometimes you can tell that, but his skill level (and) his shot is outrageous. He skates really well."
Scheifele saw a lot of the teenager in Sunday's final, where Canada finished the tournament with a 2-0 win, but it was Laine who was later name the tournament's Best Forward and MVP.
The Jets are widely expected to select the Finnish winger with the second overall pick at the NHL draft, with the Toronto Maple Leafs likely to pick Auston Matthews with the first selection.
"You can tell he's going to be a very special player," Scheifele said. "I know if we end up getting him, he'll definitely be a huge improvement to our team. He'll fit in well for sure."
In order for him to play alongside Laine, Scheifele still requires a new contract for next season, and the restricted free agent said there was nothing new to report regarding negotiations.