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Patrik Laine not willing to wait out shutdown in Canada

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TJ Tucker
March 16, 2020  (2:27 PM)
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Finnish sniper Patrik Laine has decided to go home. He's told Finnish media outlet Iltalehti that he will leave Winnipeg in the next two or three days to return to his home country.

"Nothing to do here, I am going to Finland soon," Laine said. "According to the information, it may be many weeks [before hockey returns]. No dates have been given for the start of the training."

Laine said he understands the reasons behind the suspension of the NHL season.

"Important games were just about to start, but people's health is the most important thing . This is just hockey and it was better to cut the games, they still have time to play."

The NHL told players Monday they could return to their home countries during the suspension if they choose to do so. Those who do must stay in self-isolation until the end of March.