Columbus Blue Jackets' fans have something to worry about: Patrik Laine just had his first meeting with Mike Babcock, and he didn't sound too happy afterward.
Considering Laine's history of conflict with tough coaches (John Tortorella, for example), there is room for concern about the star player's future in Columbus.
When asked about the content of their meeting, Laine provided a brief and somewhat robotic-sounding response that indicated his unhappiness with something.
Here's what he said:
«We had a good talk. [Babcock is] tough but honest, so I respect that. However, everything we discussed is private, and I'm not going to share it with you.»
Babcock retired in 2022, and now, a year later, he's back behind an NHL bench as a "changed man." He claims retirement has changed him, and we are about to see if that's true.
However, he still appears eager to return to action, particularly with newcomer Adam Fantilli.
"I watched [Fantilli] in the World Championships. He seems like a talented young player," Laine said. "I'm excited to have him here and will try to assist him as much as I can. It's tough to enter the league at 18, especially as a high pick. I've been in a similar situation before."
Do you think Columbus made the right decision by hiring Mike Babcock?
