Don Waddell was clear: Patrik Laine, under current conditions, would never have been able to become the player he could be in Columbus. After all, he needed a change of scenery.
Is it all his fault? Was he sometimes placed in a position where he wasn’t in a position to deliver the best possible performance, commensurate with his – immense – talent? Who knows?
But what I do know is that life is rarely all black and white…
The best proof of all? This anecdote from journalist Aaron Portzline, who has his finger on the pulse of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The veteran journalist reported something interesting.
On the heels of Bishop and Friends, The Athletic reporter reported that in Laine’s Columbus debut (he’s talking 2019-2020, But Laine was still in Winnipeg… so let’s assume he’s talking 2020-2021), the Finn was the victim of a hit from his teammates.
Cam Atkinson, Seth Jones, Zach Werenski and Gustav Nyquist reportedly went to their GM to tell him that Laine and goalie Elvis Merzlikins had to leave the club, according to this reporter.
Aaron Portzline on Bishop and Friends says after the 2019-20 season (believe he meant 2020-21), a meeting with veteran players took place (Atkinson, Jones, Werenski, Nyquist) where they “basically came back with ‘you gotta get Laine and Merzlikins out of here.'”#CBJ
– The CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) August 20, 2024
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History will tell us that while Werenski is still here, the other three are gone. The goalie is still there, and Laine has only just left… at his own request, as we know.
David Savard was in Columbus that year. He was traded to Tampa Bay along the way, but if he hadn’t been, I wonder if he would have been part of the group that called for Laine’s head at the end of the season.
More importantly, I wonder what he told Kent Hughes in the last few days about his former teammate.
Laine’s agent was contacted about the matter by journalist StĂ©phane Cadorette, but you won’t be surprised to learn that the agent refused to discuss the situation in question publicly.
What a mystery!🤔https://t.co/w8FeiHXBtx
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) August 21, 2024
He’s content to say he’ll fit into the Habs locker room.
It’s a clash of ideas right now, as we’re reminded that Columbus was happy to trade him, but that his talent could change everything in a locker room with good leadership in Montreal. Let’s wait and see what he does on the ice, and judge in due course.
Overtime
– It promises!
New trailer for The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens, an original eight episode, behind-the-scenes Habs documentary, which will premiere September 18th on Crave. pic.twitter.com/qBboMByk7e
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) August 21, 2024
– New contract for young Blue Jackets player.
NEWS: #CBJ have signed forward Cole Sillinger to a two-year contract through the 2025-26 NHL season.
The 21-year-old has posted 32-42-74 with 105 PIM in 220 career NHL games since being selected 12th overall at the 2021 NHL Draft.https://t.co/rqAdDQq7kS
– CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) August 21, 2024
– Not crazy.
My #CH lineup for the 1st game of the season:
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Laine-Dach-Roy
Newhook-Dvorak-Anderson
Armia-Evans-Gallagher
PezzettaMatheson-Guhle
Hutson-Savard
Xhekaj-Barron
StrubleMontembeault-Primeau
Yours#Habs #Canadiens
– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) August 21, 2024
– Come on!
A Little League coach needed attention. https://t.co/XQxvfSuAuJ
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 21, 2024