Is it really though? Documented by whom, where? Seems one of those things "everyone" on HFboards "knows", but is there an actual credible source for this or is it just common knowledge from the depths of the echo chamber?
Torts kept playing Laine a lot despite Laine frankly sucking, he would've had all the reason to play him less if he didn't like him or his effort level etc. Laine has also said nothing negative about Torts ever, not even between the lines really. Like I doubt Torts is Laine's favourite coach or that he went "wow, Flyers, I get to play for Torts again!" but reading HFboards you'd think they hate each other (not saying you necessarily implied that but anyway...)
Ask yourself why Torts didn’t want to coach the CBJ anymore, but, would coach in Philly?? Ask yourself, how many other players have any
documented arguments on the bench with their coaches??
It’s clear that Torts and all the other coaches were pressured into coddling Laine as much as they possibly could. The amount of coaches he had in Columbus is fascinating, and there’s NO WAY he didn’t have a negative influence on everything.
No proof, of course, but, I’m willing to bet Laine was at the center of the Babcock fiasco also, who IMO, the team should have kept around. Our “veteran core” and our best player at the time, Jones, literally asked the organization to trade Laine, and they did the opposite and moved all those guys.
You guys say that Laine is so great and there’s no “proof” of anything, then when the “proof” is actually confirmed by the teams head reporter with actual inside sources and information, it’s gets dismissed entirely…
Jarmo lost his GM job and destroyed the CBJ on-ice product, based on decisions almost entirely related to keeping Laine around on the CBJ. The CBJ team is better off with him off the team, using his cap money for an ACTUAL elite player, or simply having him removed.
I doubt (the majority of) MTL fans make it a full month into the season before they turn on him.