So a few Jets/Laine thoughts in a thread... Probably won't reply to replies. Who knows, but here goes. Buckle up...

It is amusing that we were quiet after the Stastny trade and now we get more words and everyone is fired up again as if this wasn't an issue the last 2 seasons.

About those words from Laine's reps... Seems to me they only came after Pierre LeBrun wanted to do some digging to see if there was truth to the rumor that PL wanted a trade or was going to refuse to come to camp (that was a rumor?)

His reps denied both. That's a positive.

... But the reps also suggested a trade would probably help both sides to which some are taking to mean he *DOES* want a trade.

To me, this feels like a warning shot more than anything. The bigger message is "things gotta change around here, or else we *will* want out"

They (PL's reps) didn't go out of their way to send this message, they just gave a point blank answer when asked about it.

I feel like Chevy did take a step in helping that situation with Stastny, but we all know this is more of a coaching thing than a GM thing.

That unfortunately means until camps open and games start being played, we won't know if it's "message received" or not.

I know given who the coach is, it's unlikely anything changes.. but who knows.

That brings me to Paul's status...

This is it for him. I know we've said that a few times now, but this really feels like *this is it, do or die* for him.

He can't miss the playoffs again and expect to have a job in 2021. Not with the talent this team has, not with a Vezina calibre goalie in net.

We've had two straight seasons of "excuses" as to why Jets have gone from 2nd overall in the league and West finalists, to first round exit, to not even making playoffs.

There can't be a 3rd season of excuses and no consequences. If there is, this franchise is truly hopeless.

So maybe the saving grace in this is Laine still has years of team control after this next season, and if it ends up being a disaster, certain people he's unhappy with can be fired and that might smooth things over.

I always keep thinking of Alex Ovechkin in these situations.

Ovi didn't always get along with his coaches as well and there were rumors he and the Caps were eventually headed for a divorce.

Anyways on Laine.. I don't think it's a hopeless situation yet. The agents seem ok that they have a line open with Chevy at least.

But until the new season starts, I think all we'll get now is speculation. No trade with Laine is going to happen - especially not now with the draft and free agency past us.

If there is, it would have to involve a legit 1st pair d-man and I don't see any team paying that.

So I don't know if it's worth it to overreact to every single thing we see about Laine, and trust me we'll keep seeing it.

That insider trading blurb probably got a ton of traffic for them today. It gets clicks. It'll come up again with nothing new that we don't already know.

TL;DR: Laine isn't being traded, this latest thing with his agents isn't as bad as it sounds, PoMo needs to change his act but we won't know if he will until season starts, we're going to read about Laine and his "issues" with the Jets again this off-season, try to enjoy life.

Oh and stop shooting the messengers.. McIntyre and Ates could ask all the "hard questions" all they want, but they aren't about to change how the Jets run their show no matter how much they'd call out the Jets in their respective publications.

Call them out for "water carrying tweets" if you feel you must, but living in Edmonton, I can tell you first hand they aren't even close to using the buckets that media here do for the Oilers.

We're seeing a shift in sports franchises starting to internally handle access to the team.

I can tell you first hand that the Jets aren't exactly friendly if you have "pointed questions" .. I imagine companies like WFP & Athletic, would like to keep relations on the good side.