IL: Patrik Laine's solution was criticized in the World Championships - NHL player delivered a blunt message

United States national team forward Mathieu Olivier has commented on Patrik Laine’s earlier remarks about his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Laine has spoken publicly in a critical tone about his years in Columbus before his move to the Montreal Canadiens. The Finn has mentioned feeling frustrated during that time and specifically referred to the lack of a winning culture within the team.

– I was tired of losing and giving up, and by December, I was focused on the new season. It’s frustrating for a player when you want to win and some others don’t feel the same way. They are too content with where they are. It just didn’t work for me, Laine said earlier to The Athletic.

Now Laine’s former teammate Olivier has revisited the topic in an interview with Iltalehti interview. Olivier played with Laine in Columbus for about two seasons.

According to him, Laine’s comments did not go over well within the team.

– Maybe he shouldn’t have said those things; the team in Columbus didn’t take it very well. We showed that as a team on the ice. Maybe some of his remarks were also taken out of context, we don’t know, Olivier said to IL.

At the same time, he emphasized that the matter is already a thing of the past.

– It’s been almost a year and a half; we’ve already moved on from it, he noted.

Olivier also spoke about Laine in a positive tone and reminded that they worked well together as players and teammates.

– I had fun playing with Patrik; he is naturally a talented player. We got along well off the ice too. Patrik is going through tough times in his career right now, but I’m sure he will come back.