NHL News: Patrik Laine mouthed off to new coach; Ryan Suter hung up on Bill Guerin; and Coyotes leaving Pacific
Anthony Scultore
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Patrik Laine had a lot of buzz after coming over from the Jets for Pierre-Luc Dubois. The latter was benched by then head coach John Tortorella for not playing up to par. Well, it didn’t take long for Laine to ride the pine either.
In a 3-2 win against the Hurricanes in February Laine didn’t see another shift from the late second period on. “That’s going to stay in-house,” John Tortorella said. “It’s what I feel I need to do. The last thing I want to do is bench a player.” Torts also clarified it wasn’t based on one play.
Patrik Laine mouthed off to Brad Larsen
It turned out the reason for Laine’s benching was for “verbally disrespecting a member of the coaching staff.” Now it’s coming out that is was then assistant and now new head coach Brad Larsen he mouthed off to.
Per Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch, Larsen refused to comment on the situation but sources indicate there should be no issue going forward.
Laine also unloaded on ex-coach John Tortorella in a Finnish interview. Apparently, speaking in his native tongue has him singing a new tune. At his exit interview, Laine said he was responsible and needed to play better. It appears he was fibbing a bit.
“I understand the need for a tight system, but all players are different,” Laine said. “I do not even want to be like everyone else. I am who I am and do things my way. Everyone should be given the opportunity to be themselves. Then, of course, you have to play within the team’s system. I think it’s stupid not to use my potential. But then it’s another matter what the coaches think.”
Translated via Columbus Dispatch
Ryan Suter hung up on Bill Guerin
The Minnesota Wild bought out defenseman, Ryan Suter this week. A native of Madison, Wis., he posted 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 56 games in 2021-22. He has 607 points (93 goals, 514 assists) in 1,198 games with the Nashville Predators (2005-12) and Wild.
Apparently, he was stunned and displeased with the phone call he got from GM Bill Guerin.
Suter tried to lift Parise’s spirits. He even told him that funny enough he himself had a missed call from Guerin. That’s when Guerin suddenly called again. The veteran defenseman answered and was blindsided with the exact same news that he, too, was being bought out of the final four years of his contract. That call with Guerin wasn’t as lengthy … or as friendly. Suter, never, ever envisioning that the Wild would actually buy out both contracts at the same time, hung up on the GM.
Michael Russo
Coyotes moving to the Central Division
Per NHL.com the Arizona Coyotes will be leaving the Pacific Division next season to make room for the Seattle Kraken.