John Davidson: "I don't get it. I swear to god I don't get it."

Davidson was asked about the road trip, and as he was talking about the Edmonton game he said, "It started in Edmonton, outplayed the Oilers for two periods, and then didn't do well in the third, as usual." He says, "I very seldom have seen our players play a game where there's no interest, not competing, they're playing, and I appreciate that."

He was also asked for an update on Patrik Laine. "He's a good guy, who's got some issues. Very tough to control. I know that he, before the season started, was going to give for every goal and assist, money to mental health. I do know that he's put out a statement since he's gone on the shelf, that mental health is something that people have to deal with. With that being said, you can kind of read between the lines. He's going to have to go through a process to get himself ready to see if he wants to come back. We're all pulling for him. We're hoping like hell he's on the road to recovery," Davidson said. 

Davidson said that It's "more than a circus" when host Anthony Rothman said he had to manage a little bit of a circus. Davidson also said it's "from the outside." 

David Jiricek was brought up and he was asked to give his opinion on the issue. Davidson said "This is the most overblown pile of B.S. that I've heard since I got into management. And here's my feeling, David is a good kid. He's a strong-willed, at times stubborn kid. He's got a wonderful future and it's going to be with the Blue Jackets. He's a player that came to camp after an outstanding season last year in the American League, outstanding! And he made our team, the top 6. He was told to get a place, would you want him sitting in a hotel for 3 or 4 months? NO! He was told to get a place. Then he's been asked to go down a couple of times. The key here is which, I don't see written or talked about very often, is that, when he was told to get a place, he was also told by Jarmo, our general manager that, if you're not playing games, you're going to go to Cleveland to play games. 

Davidson went on to say "We can't have you sitting if you're not playing. This is the truth. This is what the story was. When he was asked to go down, all of a sudden things blew, its like a volcano went off. And everybody from around the sports world with hockey have their opinions. But for me, I don't get it. I swear to god I don't get it." Davidson goes on to rant about how this is blown out of proportion and that Jiricek needs to earn it, and gives an example about his experience being sent down to the minors. 

Davidson on his own, brought up Adam Fantilli and him moving to wing. He said that Fantilli can still go wherever he wants when he has the puck like a Gaudreau or a Panarin. He also said he didn't want Fantilli getting "roasted" against guys like Matthews and McDavid, and when he's on defense, he needs to get better.

You can listen to the full interview below to hear Davidson in full. 

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