Jan. 23, 2021 was a defining day for Patrik Laine.
That day, his world was turned upside down with a trade from the Winnipeg Jets to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jack Roslovic, his Jets teammate, joined him in central Ohio in a deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Manitoba.
It's funny how things work, isn't it? The Blue Jackets wanted Laine with the No. 3 overall pick in 2016, but the Jets weren't interested in moving the pick. Instead, GM Jarmo Kekalainen was thrilled to select Dubois, who eventually became a No. 1 center in Columbus and was part of some big moments in franchise history.
But the divorce was messy, and it led to Laine getting a fresh start of his own.
Laine's introduction to Columbus wasn't the smoothest. He and former Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella didn't have the smoothest relationship, as both men had to get to know each other on the fly in a COVID-stricken season with no fans, no interaction between teammates, and a condensed schedule that never seemed to slow down.
There was palpable friction early. Within a couple of weeks, Laine was in the news for the wrong reason: benched by Tortorella for "disrespecting" then-assistant coach Brad Larsen during a game.
"(The benching) had nothing to do with him being on the ice," Tortorella said. "That’s what bothers me about it most is we moved by it right away. I don’t think Patty should be put in the shade of light that he was lazy or that he didn’t work hard enough because that’s not what this kid’s about. We know he’s a great competitor and he’s a really good player. He’s going to be a big part of our team here. That’s what bothers me the most about the aftermath of this. Everybody tends to make things up when they really don’t know what’s going on."
There was no shortage of speculation when the benching happened, but the team kept it in-house as much as possible.
"No, it wasn’t because of (a) missed assignment,” Tortorella said. “There’s a number of things that come into play with that. That’ll stay in the locker room."
Shortly after the incident, Laine and Tortorella appeared to put it behind them. Tortorella stepped down as Blue Jackets head coach last summer, and poetically enough, Larsen was promoted to the top job. So far this season, it appears all is going smoothly and Laine could be a fit long-term in Columbus.
He's been a dominant offensive force, with 25 goals and 26 assists in 48 games played. He's had multiple overtime winners this season and a couple of hot streaks that have reminded fans of the "Winnipeg" version of Laine, the one that had a chance to score whenever the puck found his stick.
In a more "normal" season, Laine said 2021-22 has made it easier to assimilate with his teammates, the staff, and even the city of Columbus. While he's not exactly new, a lot of things have felt new.
"It just takes time to get comfortable with everyone," Laine said.
He's an electrifying player, and a magnet for content.
Make it 12 goals in 10 games for Patrik Laine who else was going to win it in overtime? when goal scorers get hot, they are so unbelievably fun to watch
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) February 23, 2022
The potential that the Blue Jackets have in their 6-foot-5, 23-year-old sharpshooting forward is clear. He's a game-changing offensive presence, one they've sorely lacked – especially after the departure of Artemi Panarin to New York.
And if his goal-scoring wasn't enough to get you excited, his swagger level is off the charts.
All-time response from Patty Laine
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) March 31, 2022
(: @BlueJacketsNHL) pic.twitter.com/ZY0bcP4DIC pic.twitter.com/J0MvRpGOUr
In Columbus, Laine touched on how he feels he can finally be himself again and have less of a filter.
Patrik Laine, on being in Columbus: "I just feel really comfortable here, around these people, and just being me. It feels good to, well, not say whatever you want, but say what you think of certain things. But yeah, it's just fun to be Patty again."#wfp
— Mike McIntyre (@mikemcintyrewpg) March 25, 2022
Laine's always been an interesting guy, and his off-ice interests are evidence of that. He drives a yellow Lamborghini and wears his love of Marvel on his sleeve, literally, with an Iron Man tattoo.
Contract talks between Laine's representation and the Blue Jackets have yet to get serious, as both parties appear willing to wait until after the dust settles on the season. A disappointing 2020-21 gave Laine little leverage on a new deal, and he's playing this season under his qualifying offer of $7.5 million.
Laine will be a restricted free agent at season's end, and all eyes are on Kekalainen and the Blue Jackets to lock down an exciting player that the city has embraced. It's an opportunity to send a message to their players, their fans and the league.
