Patrik Laine Calls His Healthy Scratch "Most Embarrassing" Moment of Career

The controversy in Columbus over the Blue Jackets making Patrik Laine a healthy scratch this past week has reached a new level on Tuesday, as the former 2nd overall pick finally spoke out about his unprecedented punishment:

#CBJ Patrik Laine on his healthy scratch vs. Philadelphia on Sunday:

“Over my career, it’s probably the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to me. I’m not happy about that. They know that. It is what it is. It’s over and done.”

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 21, 2023

“Over my career, it’s probably the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to me. So I’m obviously not happy about that. They know that. It is what it is. It’s done.”

Yikes. 

For rookie head coach Pascal Vincent, who administered the eye-opening move, he insists there was never any intent to embarrass: 

#CBJ Head Coach Pascal Vincent asked about Patrik Laine feeling embarrassed by being a healthy scratch in Philly. pic.twitter.com/zHMvt8I1ut

— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) November 21, 2023

"There's never a reason behind our decisions to embarrass any of our people. Ever. That's not the point. We want him to respond like a man, and to play hard tomorrow. That's it."

Should be a very interesting situation to follow, to see if Laine's days in Columbus are numbered. 

He currently has 3 points in 9 games, and is a minus-6.

Photo: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports