Just another Tuesday... The Penguins have hired Brian Burke as Team President and Ron Hextall as Team GM. More on this match made in Pittsburgh later...
Tortorella Benches Laine...
Patrik Laine was benched for much of the third period last night after being on the ice for a Carolina goal. Yes, the same Patrik Laine the Jackets just traded for and are hopeful to extend to a contract before he becomes a UFA...
Tortorella dismissed it as just part of the process while Laine learns the defensive systems. Ok, that makes some sense, but it did happen right after he was on the ice for a goal against...so it's kind of hard for a player not to view the benching as a punishment...
And there are elephants in the locker room.
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It is widely known that Laine wants to play in LA for the Kings, and yet he has said all the right words and I don't see it as impossible that he signs in Columbus...Felow Finn and GM Jarmo is a very convincing man....but even he would likely secretly admit this doesn't make his life easier.. this doesn't help things...
Tortorella is in a really tough spot here and I felt he handled Dubois well...The inmates can't run the asylum, but there is no REAL denying certain players mean more to a franchise than others. And certain players mean more a coach... No one will say that, but the fact is Torts doesn't fill the seats, and Laine has the most dynamic star talent this team has EVER had. And he is a good guy.
What do you think the Jackets will do here? What should they do?
Flyers/Caps Postponed Due To Flyers Covid Concerns. This just in...more as available