Connect with us

Winnipeg Jets

Jets Flip Flop on Laine Gag Order and Media Access

The Winnipeg Jets will not be allowing the media an opportunity to ask questions of Patrik Laine as 2020-21 NHL camps gets under way.

Whether you agree or disagree with the idea that players should have to talk about everything hockey and give the press who cover the game an insider glimpse at what’s going on with the team at all times, in Winnipeg, information might be hard to come by for a while.

Related: As Many as 6 Teams Interested in Jets’ Jack Roslovic

Early Monday, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reported that the Winnipeg Jets have told the media that forward Patrik Laine is off-limits until later in camp for undisclosed reasons. He posted a follow up later in the day to say give props to the Jets for apparently changing their minds.

It seems the Jets have reversed an earlier decision to NOT have Patrik Laine speak to media, something the organization was believed to be prepared to do to avoid trade speculation questions, although that was not confirmed.

McIntyre’s original report noted:

Along with coach Paul Maurice, the Jets will be making one prominent player of their choosing available each day on Zoom, along with honouring a couple other requests from scribes of skaters who won’t be assigned designated days to talk. With the caveat that they not be Laine until a time of his, or their, choosing.

As you can imagine, the decision did not go over very well and McIntyre was especially critical of the organization for trying to hide communicating a situation that was likely hanging over the rest of the roster.

Did Laine Want to Talk?

It’s not clear why the Jets have reversed their decision but perhaps Laine is prepared to and would like to speak. It might not be a bad idea for the player in question to put the speculation in the background and get on with camp.

All Laine has to say is that he’s not focused on his contract or moving on and the media will likely focus less on his future with the organization. They’ll still be plenty of speculation, but at least it won’t be front and center.

Next: Islanders Begin Camp Without Barzal; Listed on Roster, But Holding Out

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

More News

Discover more from NHL Trade Talk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading