Canadiens Call In Patrik Laine for Meeting as Hughes Delivers Clear Message Regarding His Play
We told you about it in recent hours, but the last few weeks have not gone as planned for forward Patrik Laine.
He started training camp on the Montreal Canadiens' second line alongside Kirby Dach and Ivan Demidov, and now he finds himself on the team's fourth line (and close to the press box).
The decision to place Laine on the fourth line (despite his nearly $9 million salary per year) is generating a lot of reaction in Montreal, but it's fair to say that Laine had been warned.
Thanks to an excellent article by Alexandre Pratt (La Presse), we learn that Kent Hughes and Canadiens management did, in fact, call Patrik Laine in for a meeting - specifically to discuss his five-on-five play.
Canadiens management met with Patrik Laine
It's now clear that he had a very specific mission to improve his even-strength game, and the least we can say is that the results have been mixed in recent weeks.
For a general manager to get personally involved and hold such a meeting with a player is extremely rare - and it practically sounds like an ultimatum.
"That said, we can assume it's not for nothing that the GM got involved:
Laine is only a few months away from free agency (and has expressed his desire to stay in town beyond this season). Hearing that message from the person you'll be negotiating your next contract with certainly helps drive the point home, you know."
- Félix Forget
Laine is only a few months away from free agency (and has expressed his desire to stay in town beyond this season). Hearing that message from the person you'll be negotiating your next contract with certainly helps drive the point home, you know."
- Félix Forget
Kent Hughes' message is very clear: Patrik Laine needs to give more at five-on-five, especially if he wants a chance to sign a solid new deal in Montreal, as he hopes to do.
I'll say it again - it really sounds like an ultimatum for Laine.
I'm very curious to see whether Laine got the message, and it'll definitely be something to watch closely in the first few games of the season, starting tomorrow night.
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14 HOURS AGO | 400 ANSWERS Canadiens Call In Patrik Laine for Meeting as Hughes Delivers Clear Message Regarding His Play Will Laine finish with at least 20 goals this season? | ||
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