[Monahammer]

I dont think there was an excuse. He recognized that in Winnipeg he was gaming too much in interviews, but I dont think he's ever said why. but we're talking about a 20-22 year old kid moving to a different continent to play pro hockey, largely alone, and evidently with some personality conflicts with the roster he was on and team leadership (posted a link to that story earlier.) This is the same organization that had notable issues with Evander Kane too (say what you will about the player and person, but there was obviously some red flags about the org in this situation too.)
IMO it is pretty obvious why he turned to gaming. He was looking for connection that he wasn't feeling to people in Winnipeg. The same thing happened to countryman Puljujarvi in Edmonton, and he actually needed to go back to finland to reset from it.

It's interesting too, many finnish and Russian players don't come over to the league right after they're drafted. It's probably because there is a larger culture/language shock to moving to NA along with the lack of ability to move a support network from home here easily.

Laine is 23... Lots of time to grow up and learn as an adult and professional. What you can't teach or learn is Laine's size and innate talent for hammering a puck.