32 thoughts talked about the comments he made.
Patrik Laine’s struggles have been well documented. It’s hard when things go public about what was going on with a team. This one refers to his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. On the recent 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman's position was nothing about what Laine said was bad. But a source told him this.
"The year he was traded to Columbus, at the end of the year there was a team meeting. ‘If we really want to be successful, then Laine and Elvis Merzlikins have to go’. Instead, Seth Jones asked for a trade, Cam Atkinson was another one, and he was traded to Philadelphia. Some of the players said we needed to make those changes or let go....Laine had to know, and I wonder if that was tied into the comments he made."
That was the gist of it. It’s sports. These things happen. There are a lot of players in the room and a lot of personalities. I believe Laine is on a better path now. I have a lot of sympathy for people who have mental struggles. Someone close to me had that problem and it takes a while to feel better about things. So I don’t fault him for what he said and I don’t fault Zach Werenski either. These are team dynamics that can pop up and it’s over now and Laine can move on.
So far, the Canadiens experience seems to be a positive one for the Finnish star. The fans have treated him great and he’s producing. I hope that he’s put everything in the past and he has a bright future. I would love to see it.