Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine addressed the media on Tuesday, opening up for the first time since being benched as a healthy scratch in Sunday"s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Expressing his embarrassment, Laine acknowledged the team"s decision, stating, “It is what it is. It’s over and done."
The 25-year-old, with two goals and one assist in nine games this season, faced a tough call from Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent, who hoped the move would help Laine rediscover his top form.
"Over my career, it’s probably the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to me, I’m not happy about that. They know that. It is what it is. It’s over and done." : Laine said, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.
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Vincent emphasized Laine"s potential and the need for him to regain confidence and skills, saying, “He needs to take a deep breath, go back to the working lab, and be the Laine we all know he can be." Despite the difficult conversation, Vincent stressed that no player is bigger than the team.
According to reports, Laine returned to the team"s second line during Tuesday"s practice, skating alongside Adam Fantilli and Dmitri Voronkov.
Laine, the third-highest-paid player on the Blue Jackets with an $8.7 million cap hit, has a contract running through 2025-26. The struggling team, winless in nine games, hopes to turn things around when they face the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, sandwiched between two road trips. Laine, originally selected second overall in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets, has faced challenges replicating his early career success since his trade to Columbus in 2020. Despite his explosive start with the Jets, injuries and a goal-scoring decline have marked his time with the Blue Jackets, with last season seeing 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games. The team is now looking to break their winless streak and get back on track.
