werenski

12/23/2024 11:06 PM

Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski didn’t hold back when he was asked after Monday’s game about Patrik Laine‘s earlier comments to the media.

“For him to bash us like that, I think it’s just unacceptable,” Werenski said to reporters after their 5-4 win.

Laine returned to Columbus for the first time since he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens and had some blunt words regarding his former team when speaking after morning skate.

"Obviously, things happened, and that was kind of it for me,” Laine said to The Athletic‘s Aaron Portzline earlier Monday. "I feel like we were just doing the same thing year after year. I was tired of losing and just giving up when it's December to start focusing on next year. I'm not going to do that. That's frustrating as a player when you're trying to win and some people are, you know, not like that.

"They're a little too satisfied and too comfortable where they're at. It wasn't really a fit for me anymore. But here (in Montreal), it doesn't matter if we're winning or losing, we're always trying our best. That's what I felt about it (in Columbus)."

Well, the Blue Jackets got wind and weren’t thrilled, to say the least, about his assessment of former teammates.

“We were nothing but good teammates to him,” Werenski continued. “For him to come in and say all that, that’s bulls—. Definitely not happy about it and none of us in this room are happy about it. That speaks more about him than it does us.”

The nine-year Blue Jacket did admit that Laine’s comments added a bit of fire under their feet to come out and play a strong game.

“What’s he thinking saying that? It’s just incredible,” Werenski said after agreeing there was some extra motivation through the lineup. “I’ve got no more time for that. I don’t want to talk about Patty anymore. I hope he’s all right. I just thought that was pretty ridiculous, to be honest.”

Laine didn’t exactly receive the warmest of welcomes in his return to Columbus. He was serenaded with boos upon his first puck touch of the night and the Blue Jackets, for whom Laine played parts of four seasons, did not produce a customary tribute video.

The 26-year-old Canadien left the game following the first period and was held to no points in his 6:15 of ice time.

Werenski, however, finished with three assists and seven shots on goal in 28:11 of ice time.

The two teams will have to wait until next year to settle this feud — they don’t play one another again for the remainder of this regular season.