We will debate this one, I’m sure.
Jakub Lauko’s 2024 rating: 4.8
Folks, it’s time to rip the Band-Aid off: we must get through the most controversial player rating of the off-season.
Jakub Lauko is an easy guy to root for.
He’s a hard worker and plays an enjoyable brand of hockey. He seems like a good dude and is an excellent Tweeter.
I wanted him to do well. I was ready for a transfer of power for the “just to be annoying” theme month crown, moving from Ceh-ptember (shoutout Peter Cehlarik) to Lauk-tober.
You wanted him to do well. Lauko remains in the running for the “Most Argued About” award for last season (and the off-season) on this site, which is no small feat.
And yet…here we are.
Lauko played the most hockey of his NHL career last season. The Bruins saw that, and decided it was worth it to lose Lauko in order to move up 12 spots in the fourth round of the draft and bring back a guy they had let walk for nothing a couple years earlier (no offense, Vinni Lettieri).
It’s fair to debate the merits of the trade itself, which was essentially a lateral move; both guys are AHL/NHL centers with a year left on their contracts, though Lettieri’s AAV is $12,500 less than Lauko’s.
It’s also fair to debate whether or not the Bruins “gave up” (in quotes because it’s kind of a dramatic phrase) on Lauko too soon; wouldn’t it have been just as easy to bring him back for one more go-round in 2024-2025?
What most of us can probably agree on is that Lauko didn’t exactly take his 2023-2024 chance and run with it; faced with a glut of competition for a bottom-six spot this coming season, Lauko’s inclusion at the NHL level was far from guaranteed.
For the most part, he was fine last season — which tracks perfectly with a 4.8 rating.
Not disappointing. Not overachieving. Fine.
However, many hoped this season would be a step forward for Lauko, so in some ways, “fine” actually represents a step back.
We’ve had the same arguments about Lauko as we’ve had about many players over the years: did he not get enough of a chance to show his stuff? Did he not show his stuff when given a chance?
(I’ll continue to defend my man Peter Cehlarik in the arguments above.)
‘Round and ‘round we go.
To me, Lauko was a likable, hard-working player. He plays a fun, crash-and-bang style of hockey, which Bruins fans always enjoy.
However, he’s also one that the Bruins likely feel they’re able to replace, both in terms of summer signings and guys available in Providence.
It will be interesting to see where Lauko’s NHL career goes from here.
Will he be a “they gave up on him too soon” guy, similar to someone like Frank Vatrano?
(I know it’s not a one-to-one comparison, I was just trying to think of a good “the Bruins moved him and now he’s good” example. Side note: I didn’t realize he scored 37 goals last season for a terrible Anaheim team. Way to go, Frank.)
Or will he continue to be an AHL/NHL ‘tweener, a good player who ultimately can’t carve out that niche?
Time will tell. We’ll continue to debate it.
In the meantime, best of luck in Minnesota, Jakub.