The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Monday evening in the second half of a memorable back-to-back.
But anyone watching the game went to bed knowing that the result of the game was secondary to John Tortorella's benching of Patrik Laine just four games into his Blue Jackets' career.
In case you missed it, Laine rode the pine for the final 26:19, playing 7:07 in the first period and just 4:07 in the second period before hitting the proverbial shower. In watching live, it appeared Tortorella's decision to bench his new superstar was spurred by (what he perceived to be) missed assignments by the winger. He was on the ice for Brock McGinn's goal that made it 2-2, and moments later was in the vicinity on McGinn's open-net shot that mercifully clanked off the crossbar.
2-2
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 9, 2021
McGinn had a wide open net in front of him, and doesnt miss the finish. #Canes #CBJ pic.twitter.com/djsDjI4NB6
But Tortorella said that the missed assignment was not what caused the benching.
A lot of people will want to know about neither Laine nor Kukan playing the final period plus. Here is what John Tortorella had to say. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/avJ9Nz4tst
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 9, 2021
If we're being honest, it's hard to take the coach seriously here. Perhaps Laine's play was the final straw, but it's hard to believe that anything other than his play was the reason to not play a player – let alone Laine – for over a period.
Here's where it gets tricky. Over the years, this fanbase has consistently lauded Tortorella and I've almost always agreed with the sentiment.
He changed the culture. He brought respectability to this franchise. His no-nonsense, full accountability philosophy has resulted in four consecutive Stanley Cup playoff berths. The sum of its parts is greater than the individual talent on the roster. As a coach, it's hard to imagine a better compliment than that.
But this was a step too far. Want to send a message to a player? Sit him for the rest of the period. Chat with him in between periods. Explain to him that the way he's playing isn't up to the Blue Jackets Standard™. Then give him the opportunity to redeem himself.
Laine has been in Columbus for 10 days, played in four games, and has practiced fewer times than you can count on one hand. In this instance, Tortorella's created and abetted a narrative where he's embarrassed (at best) and alienated (at worst) the singular most important asset in the organization. Who just managed to finagle his way out Winnipeg. Who is a restricted free agent after this season. Who the Blue Jackets need to sign long-term to even be eligible to theoretically 'win' the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade.
I've read the comments, and I get it. "Laine shouldn't be treated any differently than anyone else." Okay, then why hasn't Tortorella made an example of David Savard and Vladislav Gavrikov, who look like they're in a competition to see who can turn the puck over the most before March? Why didn't Tortorella healthy scratch Cam Atkinson in the early games, who, as a friend put it, "couldn't hit the ocean from the boardwalk for three weeks?"
Tortorella hasn't benched Savard/Gavrikov/Atkinson/etc. because they work hard. Sure, they may play some brutal hockey along the way, but golly gee, they sure tried hard! I understand that (and as a youth hockey coach, I respect that). But I'm not convinced the best way to win in the NHL (particularly in the playoffs) is with a team of third-line players that scratch and claw.
Eventually, you need an offensive difference-maker to score a goal when the checking gets tighter. The Blue Jackets – for the time being – have that.
Tortorella doesn't shoulder all of the blame here. It was almost too predictable that acquiring players like Laine and Max Domi (offensive stars with questionable defensive metrics) would clash. Sooner or later, GM Jarmo Kekalainen may be in the unenviable position of having to pick between coach and players.
Really seems like the GM and the coach aren't on the same page in #CBJ.
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 9, 2021
Torts slowly but surely built up a defensive powerhouse. Jarmo targeted Domi and Laine, two pure offensive players.
Unsurprisingly, it's not going well so far.
The Jackets have a bottom-three expected goals for percentage (44%) and the only teams with fewer expected goals for are the Red Wings and the Kings.
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 9, 2021
They stink. And it's because they can't generate anything offensively and aren't good enough defensively to cover it up.
In his postgame comments, Tortorella mentioned that he and the coaching staff are trying to integrate six or seven new players into the Blue Jackets "culture."
And while he's rightly proud for the culture he's helped build, I would argue that his culture favors players with a big motor and little skill over star players. That's a good way to build a culture from the ground up, and this team is past that stage. Is Laine or any potential UFA more likely to choose Columbus long-term over NHL-City-X after last night? Emphatically no.
John Tortorella is unquestionably the most successful coach in franchise history. He brought the franchise from the basement to respectability. Aside from lineup construction, I think he's done generally a good job coaching the team this season. But yesterday's decision to bench Laine was a drama-filled decision that does more harm than good.
