Allan Walsh, agent for center Derick Brassard, told the Columbus Dispatch that he isn't demanding a trade for his client from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Instead, he decided to throw a Molotov cocktail at Coach Scott Arniel for making Brassard a healthy scratch in seven of the last 10 games, including tonight's tilt against the Calgary Flames.
Via Aaron Portzline of Puck-Rakers, the Walsh missive:
"While I have tremendous respect for (general manager) Scott Howson and the rest of Columbus' management team, the situation regarding Derick Brassard has become untenable. The coach has a history of burying players and using them as scapegoats to mask his own lack of success on the ice. Derick has been singled out, almost from the very beginning of the season, to be the fall guy in case things don't go well. The Columbus organization cares about Derick and has been good to him, but at some point, one has to say, enough is enough."
Odd, because that's what Arniel has said in relegating Brassard to the press box.
Enough with the minus-11. Enough with the four points in 17 games for a player who should be an effective No. 2 pivot. Enough with never having lived up to being the No. 6 overall pick in 2006.
Of course, Walsh is advocating for his client, which is his right and his duty.
Just like he did when Martin Havlat was being used in a "purely secondary role" after signing with the Minnesota Wild, accusing coach Todd Richards ailing to recognize Havlat's accomplishments: "It's like we are in a time warp and the coach has totally ignored or chooses to ignore what Marty has done offensively over the course of his entire career."
Just like he did when he claimed Richards was treating Petr Sykora with "less respect than a rookie" through his ice time, despite scoring just two goals in 13 games.
Just like he did when making his Twitter quip about Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, who was in competition with Walsh client Jaroslav Halak at the time in 2010:"Interesting stat of the night.... #Habs' Price is 10W, 32L in last 42 starts. Hmm."
Please note that none of those clients remain with those teams.
But the guts of Walsh's commentary remains valid: Why is Scott Arniel still coaching this 6-15-3 disgrace?
UPDATE: Scott Howson speaks, via Portzline:
"Scott has my full support with respect to his decisions on who plays and the handling of our hockey team. We all want Derick to play better and be the player we know he can be the only person who will impact Derick's playing time is Derick himself."
Well, and his coach. It's not like Brassard can say "hit my music" and run to the ring here ...