Zach Werenski Blasts Patrik Laine for His Comments After Heated Canadiens-Blue Jackets Game
Photo credit: NHL
Last night, after the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets, there was an unfortunate outburst that escalated significantly. It went so far that some believe it outright spiraled out of control.
This concerns a statement from defenseman Zach Werenski.
It's unfortunate to see it blow out of proportion like this, especially since it seemingly led directly to an injury for Patrik Laine. But here's what Werenski had to say after last night's game:
It's unfortunate. I think as guys here and the guys that have been here, we're nothing but good teammates to him, nothing but good friends to him.
And for him to bash us like that, I think it's just unacceptable. I hope he's alright with whatever he's dealing with tonight, but he didn't finish the game. A couple of hits and I don't know what happened, but it's unfortunate.
We were nothing but good teammates to him. From him to come in here and say that, that's bullshit. So definitely not happy about it, and none of us in this room are happy about it.
And I think that speaks more about
him than it does us. So that is what it is. What's he thinking even saying that? It's just
incredible. So I got no more time for that.
I don't wanna talk about Patty anymore. Hope he's alright, but I don't know. I just thought that was pretty ridiculous to be.»
- Zach Werenski on Patrik Laine's comments
And for him to bash us like that, I think it's just unacceptable. I hope he's alright with whatever he's dealing with tonight, but he didn't finish the game. A couple of hits and I don't know what happened, but it's unfortunate.
We were nothing but good teammates to him. From him to come in here and say that, that's bullshit. So definitely not happy about it, and none of us in this room are happy about it.
And I think that speaks more about
him than it does us. So that is what it is. What's he thinking even saying that? It's just
incredible. So I got no more time for that.
I don't wanna talk about Patty anymore. Hope he's alright, but I don't know. I just thought that was pretty ridiculous to be.»
- Zach Werenski on Patrik Laine's comments
Patrik Laine Was Targeted by Columbus Blue Jackets Players
This shows how far it escalated and seems to confirm what Renaud Lavoie mentioned this morning on BPM Sports. Laine was a clearly targeted player by the Blue Jackets (and their fans).
Let's just hope he's okay this morning, it must have been tough for him to hear all of this.
Laine left the game after one period and did not return.
In his comments, Werenski was referencing Laine's interview with Aaron Portzline, where Laine essentially mentioned that there was a losing culture in Columbus and that defeat was too easily accepted there.
Incidentally, this is exactly what Don Waddell (their current GM) had mentioned when he arrived in Columbus a few months ago.
Laine's full comments on the Blue Jackets:
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 24 | 3243 ANSWERS Zach Werenski Blasts Patrik Laine for His Comments After Heated Canadiens-Blue Jackets Game Do you think Patrik Laine should have kept quiet instead of openly criticizing the Blue Jackets before the game? | ||
| Yes | 2700 | 83.3 % |
| No | 543 | 16.7 % |
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