Were Players Who Spoke Out Against Patrik Laine And Elvis Merzļikins Traded To Protect Them?
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic appeared on 97.1 The Fan's Bishop and Friends this morning to talk about recent CBJ news. Beau Bishop, the show's host called Portzline's comments "chilling stuff."
Portzline said that veteran players had a meeting a few years ago. He says, "I also think back to a meeting with the veteran players, I think it was maybe after the 19-20 season (believe it was 20-21 he meant), and if my recollection is right it was Cam, it was Seth Jones, it was Werenski, it was Foligno for sure, maybe Gus Nyquist. What do we need to do here to make this thing work? You guys know what a good room is like, you've seen it. And the players, they have a hard time doing this sometimes, and you understand why, basically came back with "You gotta get Laine and Merzlikins out of here." That's steps one and two. The organization heard that and said, "You know what let's get rid of the people who said that," not the people that they mentioned. And look who all's gone."
He goes on to say, "That's one of those things, in the near term you go ouch, you ask those guys to bare their soul, and they do, and that's how you respond by moving them out, rather than taking the suggestions they made. But think of the chill it sends throughout the room, as don't ever share your honest opinion here. Because that's how it's going to be handled, not straight up "Thanks for your input, we'll respect your privacy here."
These comments are exactly what Bishop said, "Chilling stuff."
You can listen to the full interview below.
- Seth Jones was traded on July 23, 2021. Told Columbus he didn't want to re-sign with them. Was this due to the Jackets not listening to them?
- Cam Atkinson was traded on July 24, 2021. Traded abruptly after the draft. Was this because of the veteran meeting?
- Nick Foligno was traded on February 7, 2021. Was this before or after the meeting?
- Gus Nyquist was traded on February 2023.
Is it possible former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen traded these players because of what they are rumored to have said about Patrik Laine and Elvis Merzļikins? Was he so protective of Elvis and Laine that he would rather get rid of the players who dared speak ill of them, instead of trying to figure out a solution?
One thing is for sure - this franchise needed new faces and structure up and down the organization. The new era of the Columbus Blue Jackets couldn't have come soon enough it seems.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.
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