If you ask the national media, or probably the man himself; Patrik Laine has rejuvenated his career in Montreal. Yes, it seems that nine games in December is all it took for him to endear himself to the Canadiens fanbase, enabling him to simultaneously go scorched-earth on the Blue Jackets and the 5th Line.
Say what?
In his own words, Laine went nuclear on the Blue Jackets and their fanbase on Monday. His comments certainly have not gone unnoticed by the 5th Line, and it comes as his "better situation" Canadiens bring him to town for his first appearance since being traded out of Columbus.
In the article linked above, Laine talks about the Blue Jackets "quitting in December" and "looking towards next year" in every year he was here. His comments come as his Canadiens sit one point behind the Jackets in the standings, with one fewer game played. They're on pace for a jaw dropping *checks notes*, uh, 77 point season. He might know that if he were actually on the ice.
It's an all-to familiar situation...
During his time in Columbus, we got used to Patrik Laine missing time. That's the one thing he was consistently good at: not playing hockey. In Montreal, they have had him for just 9 of their 33 games this season. They've struggled in the standings (again, like Columbus did), only to have him come in and score goals in bunches so far. We've seen it.
The only real difference here is that his goals have all come on the power-play, an area that he just could not figure out in four years in Columbus. Without question one of the game's best shooters, we were constantly baffled at the number of double-clutches or outright refusals to unleash his incredible one-timer. Instead, we were usually treated to long stretches of over-handling the puck; often resulting in turnovers and goals against while he pouted about whatever was bothering him at the time.
It's probably only a matter of time until that starts happening in Montreal. In fact, in spite of his goal scoring, his -7 rating in 9 games probably points to exactly the same kind of issues. I would dive deeper into the numbers, but he just hasn't played enough hockey to make it a meaningful dive.
Who quit here?
Without a doubt, the most scathing part of his comments from the team's perspective is the part where he talked about the team quitting every year. But if you actually followed this team over the last four years, you know that this is a complete fallacy.
The Blue Jackets played 297 games with Patrik Laine on their roster. He was able to muster up the strength and will to play in 174 of them (58.5%). Barely more than half of the time he was under contract with Columbus, could he be bothered to put the pads on and play hockey. Johnny Gaudreau was the only higher paid forward on the roster, and he missed just three games in two seasons.
You know what this team could have used during the deepest part of its rebuild? The excitement of its highest or second highest paid forward. Instead, every time Patrik hit the ice, we found ourselves asking how long he might hold up without finding another ailment. And, when he was on the ice, we were constantly left wanting so much more out of a guy making nearly $9 million dollars against the cap.
Even when he was physically healthy and able to contribute, the organization and most of the fans here were supportive of him on his journey to better mental health. To a person, this fanbase has been very happy to see him back and scoring goals this month. What could we have done differently?
Instead, his thanks to us for four years of patience and support? To trash the entire franchise and its fanbase on behalf of a very small vocal minority, who most of us were quick to expel on his behalf. We all scrambled to support him, even accepting and understanding that he wanted out of Columbus. Our reward was this scathing interview.
Laine has now burned the bridges on his way out of two NHL cities. Both teams improved immediately after his removal from their rosters. How long until he loses favor in one of the hottest media markets in the sport? Then what? Whose fault will it be when his game comes crashing down in Montreal?
At some point, Patty, you'll have to step up and face the facts. Maybe the issue isn't literally everyone else around you. Maybe the issue is the face looking back at you in the mirror. You quit on Columbus, not the other way around.