Patrik Laine is well aware of the expectations he faces from the Winnipeg Jets and the team's eager fans.
But Laine, the second-overall NHL draft pick, is doing his best to ignore the hype.
"I just want to focus on what I’m doing here and my job, which is playing hockey," the 18-year-old Finnish forward said after his Jets training camp debut Monday. "I’m good at it, and I just want to play hockey and give myself the best shot every time I’m on the ice."
His mission is to obtain an opening day roster spot, although for many fans that seems like a foregone conclusion.