No, the media did not force anybody to do anything, but they surely interpreted the few select quotes/articles they could find to fit the narrative that they were pushing. Like everything , there is always important context to be considered and alternative interpretations -but you seem to have closed your mind to all such things.
Your assertion that Laine has used strong arm tactics via public pressure/public threats to get the team to meet demands is quite frankly astonishing. If you truly believe that the one brief quote made by his agent (solicited by the media by the way) makes Laine such an undesireable player, why would you advocate so strong;y for trading him for Dubois? Someone who has personally told his coach he wants to be traded, in no unequivocal terms.
Media agenda: Media have no agenda per say, maybe you just worded that incorrectly. But the media couldn't give two rat asses if Laine signs or is traded and if you think they do......well I would say I don't believe in any conspiracy theories with Laine or wearing tinfoil hats. If you meant the media likes to sensationalize stories to drum up clicks, oh yeh I have no issues with that POV, yes media do it all the time.
Negotiation tactics: One brief statement? Are you forgetting about Laine's critiquing of his line mates skill/ability last year, which lead to a apology from Laine? Plus his legal respesentation/agent public suggested a trade is likely best.......that's not some minor statement. I imaging walking into my Executive VP's office and suggesting maybe it's best I quit my job (similar to requesting a trade, sorry I can't be traded like a hockey player) and then calling it a brief statement days later and not a big deal. Sorry but one does not suggest a trade is best and mean it lightly. Not sure where you work, but try that with you boss and see how it goes. As I've said many times, I understand Laines POV, but there is a right way and a wrong way to handle things......going public twice now in two years is not the right way IMO.
Laine a undesirable player? Show me where I've made that statement or even a similar statement in 5 years Laine has been here........show me one post of me saying that. Of course he has weaknesses in his game, everyone in the world know that but no one in their right mind would call him undesirable (albeit he might fill a need on all teams). Do I have to post every single post I make how Laine is a valuable player? I've said he's a valuable player a million times.
PLD: If you can't understand why PLD at least on the surface is a desirable player (even if you wouldn't trade Laine for him) to have instead of another high cap hit winger who by his multi public statements has made it clear he wouldn't mind a trade and perhaps even wants a trade.......then I'm not sure you know who PLD is or what he can do or are ignoring all of Laines comments.
Any trade involving Laine the other team is highly likely going to want to discuss his willingness to sign long term before the trade and likewise with the player coming to the Jets. I said this with Trouba and I'll say with Laine.......I don't give two shits why he doesn't want to be here as a fan (as a GM I would want to know bc that's part of my job), either you want to be here or you don't, if you don't cool bye no one irreplaceable (Laine would return a handsome package, bc he's valuable player). Chevy work out a trade that benefits the team and Laine can suck it up until such a trade happens (which sounds like what might be happening now, but none of us know that as a fact). Same goes for PLD, if we're getting him I don't give two shits why he doesn't want to stay in CBJ, I only care if he wants to stay here long term.
For the record, I'm very open to Laine staying or going depending on how contract negioations go and how he plays and cap situation. I'm not wanting to push Laine out, but if he wants out then hell yeah give me PLD in one second. I just get tired of reading a few posters crying over how Laine is getting screwed, poor Laine this, poor Laine that.........Laine has played a big part in the bed he's sleeping in now so I'm not just giving him a free pass just b/c he's a young man or a high draft pick.
But this thought process (Laine is unhappy here/Laine wants out/Laine has demanded a trade) has taken on a life of its own and is becoming embedded by media in the fans mindset. The concern I have is that the Jet`s PR machinery will further use it to rationalize why the change in direction was necessary , and, if necessary, to diffuse possible criticism that the Jet`s did not receive adequate return in any move.
