Blue Jackets GM says doubters are in for a big surprise from Patrik Laine

While he's only 23 years old, Patrik Laine had the worst season of his hockey career by far in 2020-21. Following a trade from the Winnipeg Jets to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Laine couldn't seem to get anything going and scored just 10 goals in 45 games with the team. However, Blue Jackets management believes things will be very different this year.

Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen believes the winger will prove the doubters wrong.

"It's pretty brave of some people to say he sucks after what he's done in the NHL so far in his career and had one bad season," Kekalainen said. "If it's a 16-year-old kid throwing shit on the wall on Twitter, who cares? But some of these so-called experts who are now saying he sucks and he's bad, this and that. I disagree. I think he's had so much success because he's a good player."

"It's a new season. It seems like he's in a great place right now. He's got really good chemistry with Voracek, which is what we were hoping to see. So far, so good."


Kekalainen said part of Laine's problem last season is that he came to the Blue jackets after having to serve time in quarantine and it was clear he wasn't in the best of shape.

"When he got frustrated it happened quickly and it went downhill fast."

However, according to new head coach Brad Larsen, things changed over the summer.

"I could tell right away that he'd put the work in," Larsen said.

"Patty will be the first to tell you, (fans in Columbus) haven't seen Patrik Laine yet. I think he's really hungry — maybe to himself, not so much to everybody else — to show that he has a better game. We've kind of beat the story (of last season) to death. I don't think we have to talk about it anymore. We've turned that page."