While rumors have swirled about tensions between Patrik Laine and the Blue Jackets veterans in recent years, a former teammate of the Finns in Columbus, Adam Fantilli, offered a different perspective.
Fantilli was a guest of former NHL striker John Scott and co-host Tim Dubya in the podcast Drop the gloves.
“You see, ‘Patty’ did a lot for me when I first joined the team. He welcomed me into his home and introduced me to several restaurants in the area. He was a very good teammate to me. I honestly wish him only the best,” emphasized the young center player whom Laine had taken under his wing.
Don Waddell, general manager of the Blue Jackets, was candid during an interview on Toronto radio: Laine did not want to enter the team’s locker room again. But why?
“I don’t really know,” Fantilli replied. “He asked for a trade. Maybe he thought it was weird to come back after saying he didn’t want to be here anymore. That’s the only thing that comes to mind. Because the guys in our locker room are great.”
On Thursday, on the sidelines of a golf tournament benefiting the Asista Foundation, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki appeared not at all concerned about the rumors about Laine and his allegedly problematic relationships with the veterans in Winnipeg or Columbus.
“It doesn’t worry me too much. “Everyone can easily integrate into our group,” he stressed. “We are all guys who love being on the rink every day and having a lot of fun together. The transition will be easy for him.”
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