Laine on his way out of Fort Erie?

Fort Erie Sun Times
Fort Erie, ON
April 8, 2019

Story by:  Bob Puckit


The Fort Erie Falcons return home having accomplished their goal of having split the first two games on Capeside ice.

The Falcons did not want to find themselves in a situation similar to that of round one where they returned home down a pair of games, and having to win four out of the next five games to win the series.  While the team did it, they knew that they would be asking for a miracle to do it against the conference’s best club in the Loons.

Of course, the return doesn’t come without some sort of controversy as Patrik Laine voiced his displeasure of being a healthy scratch for game 7 and the first two contests in Capeside.

“Listen I don’t know why I’m here if I’m not going to play.  I can score a lot of goals playing with these guys but not from the press box.  I’m better than this and I’m not sure why they traded for me earlier this year if they won’t play me,” said Laine to the media. 

Instantly we knew that wouldn’t sit well with Fort Erie GM Matt Young and we had a chance to ask him about his young winger’s comments.

“Listen, he’s a goal scorer and he’s been snake bitten since he’s been here.  If he’s not scoring, his game is a lot less useful than Beauvillier or Copp because they won’t cheat to create offence.  They focus on playing a 200 foot game at this time of year and our coach is taking the safe approach.  It may not be as dynamic but it’s safe hockey and you need to be safe at this time of year,” said Young.

When asked about the possibility of trading Laine, Young didn’t mince words either.

“We don’t want anyone here that doesn’t want to be here.  Listen the reality is that we have Mitch (Marner), Chucky (Tkachuk), Aho, Stromer, DeBrincat, Zach (Werenski) and Dunner that are all going to need to get paid.  I think we’re legitimately looking at near double digits in the millions for them and Patrik will surely have a monster year next year in order to get his money too.  We can’t afford 6 of those guys and be competitive so somebody will likely have to go, we’re aware of that fact.  Unfortunately, he may make that decision easy for us.” 

While the CCHL trading season won’t begin until after the playoffs, the early word on the mean streets of Fort Erie is that Young would like a solid top pairing defender for Laine.

“There will be a number of teams looking to cut cost.  They can add a 40 goal scorer, perhaps the most gifted young scorer in the league for a top pairing defenceman that’s in his prime.  Our payroll is small next year so salary isn’t an issue for the right player,” quipped Young. 

Game three goes tonight in Fort Erie and early indications are that Laine will not dress yet again only adding fuel to the fire that his days in Fort Erie are almost finished.