Karine Hains from The Hockey News and Marko Larabie from Hockey Nation Live Show discuss the Patrik Laine trade

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.

Laine Needed A Fresh Start in Montreal