Zach Werenski Fires Back At Patrik Laine For Telling Lies to the Media About His Time in Colombus
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
December 24, 2024 (8:27)
Patrik Laine made some disparaging comments towards the Blue Jackets and his time in Columbus, and veteran Zach Werenski didn't hold back when responding.
The return of Patrik Laine has been one of the biggest stories in the NHL over the past month, and now it's gotten even hotter as he faced his former team the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time.
Before the matchup, the star forward had some major comments for his time in Columbus, and it's safe to say that he didn't exactly enjoy himself during his three years there.
«Obviously, things happened, and that was kind of it for me," Laine said. «I feel like we were just doing the same thing year after year. I was tired of losing and just giving up when it's December to start focusing on next year. I'm not going to do that. That's frustrating as a player when you're trying to win and some people are, you know, not like that.
«They're a little too satisfied and too comfortable where they're at. It wasn't really a fit for me anymore. But here (in Montreal), it doesn't matter if we're winning or losing, we're always trying our best. That's what I felt about it (in Columbus).»
Unsurprisingly, that wasn't taken too well by the Blue Jackets locker room, as veteran defenseman Zach Werenski called Laine out for the comments, firing back at him in a big way.
«It's unfortunate For him to bash us like that, I think it's just unacceptable.»
«We were nothing but good teammates to him. For him to come in and say that is bullshit. Definitely not happy about it and none of us in this room are happy about it. It speaks more about him than it does us.»
«What's he thinking saying that? It's just incredible.»
During a dramatic battle, the Blue Jackets would come out on top by a score of 5-4, with this matchup set to be an absolute thriller the next time these two teams meet.
Ultimately though, Laine was simply speaking his mind on the situation, and while Werenski was right to be offended, this is the type of person that Laine is, and it was a good move from the NHL's perspective as it brought plenty of fire to a potentially otherwise dull matchup.
POLL |
DECEMBRE 24 | 342 ANSWERS Zach Werenski Fires Back At Patrik Laine For Telling Lies to the Media About His Time in Colombus Do you side with Werenski or Laine in this fresh fued? |
Patrik Laine | 140 | 40.9 % |
Zach Werenski | 202 | 59.1 % |
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