Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine says his recent healthy scratch against the Philadelphia Flyers was "the most embarrassing thing that has happened to me" in his career.
Laine made his comments after practice on Tuesday, when head coach Pascal Vincent shifted the scorer to the wing alongside rookie Adam Fantili.
"I’m not happy about that," Laine said. "They know that. It is what it is. It’s over and done."
The Blue Jackets, who fell 5-2 to the Flyers, are currently on a nine-game losing streak and sit last in the Eastern Conference with a 4-11-4 record.
The Laine scratch was the latest in a string of notable moves by Vincent as the rookie head coach tries to get his team's season turned around. Those moves include benching Laine and star Johnny Gaudreau in the third period against the Coyotes and sending 21-year-old centre Kent Johnson, who was fifth in scoring on the Blue Jackets last season, to the AHL after multiple healthy scratches.
Laine's season has been a rollercoaster with the long-time winger being tested at centre for the first time, but offence has been hard to come by. Through nine games, the three-time 30-goal scorer has just two goals and a single assist.
“I know what he can do on the ice,” Vincent said Sunday on the decision to scratch Laine. “I know his potential. He’s not happy about the decision, don’t get me wrong. But right now, I think Patty needs to take a deep breath. Go back to the working lab and get his touches back, get his shot back, get his confidence back, so he can be the Laine we all know he can be.
"It was a hard conversation, but nobody is bigger than the Blue Jackets."
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