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Report: Laine's benching was result of verbally disrespecting a coach

Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's been a rocky start for Patrik Laine with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 22-year-old sat for the entire third period of the club's 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. The benching was the result of Laine verbally disrespecting a member of the Blue Jackets' coaching staff, a source told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

It's unclear which coach Laine reportedly clashed with, as the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

Laine's last shift on Monday came with 6:19 remaining in the second period, and he logged a season-low 11:14 of ice time.

The 6-foot-5 winger appeared to miss his assignment leading up to the Hurricanes' second goal, but head coach John Tortorella said the benching wasn't due to the miscue, and that a "number of things" came into play.

Columbus acquired Laine from the Winnipeg Jets for the disgruntled Pierre-Luc Dubois in January. The Finnish sniper has recorded three goals in four games with the Blue Jackets.

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