In today’s issue of TSN’s Insider Trading, Darren Dreger reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets are willing to listen to offers on forward Patrik Laine and defenseman Ivan Provorov. Making high-impact additions in the last two summers, it appears the Blue Jackets are at least willing to entertain the idea of a major selloff.
To say that trading away either player is complicated would be an understatement. Laine’s $8.7MM salary over the next several years makes it near impossible for most teams to acquire, while Provorov is less than a year removed from being acquired by Columbus in the first place.
Nevertheless, the value that each player could bring to an organization is inherent. Although relatively streaky and bringing some health concerns to the table, Laine is one of the more well-respected goal scorers in the league, while Provorov has transitioned nicely to the Blue Jackets, on pace to tie his career-high in points with 41.
In Laine, although his goal-scoring ability is apparent, there have been questions surrounding his work ethic throughout his time with the Blue Jackets. Infamously, earlier in the season, Columbus’ head coach, Pascal Vincent made Laine a healthy scratch, reportedly creating a rift between Laine and the rookie head coach. Keeping this in mind, it could be a reasonable possibility that if Vincent is set to lead the Blue Jackets in the future, he may not envision Laine as a part of that plan. 
Drafted second overall by the Winnipeg Jets back in the 2016 NHL Draft, Laine has a total of 204 goals and 388 points, currently putting him in fourth place in both categories among all players of his draft class. Having already been traded once in his career back during the 2020-21 season, Laine’s name being mentioned in trade rumors should put him in familiar territory.
Provorov, on the other hand, is much more known for his defensive attributes rather than his offense. Over a seven-year span with the Philadelphia Flyers, Provorov played in a total of 532 games for the Flyers, scoring 217 points in the process. A regular member of the top penalty kill unit for both Columbus and Philadelphia, although Provorov’s physical play has decreased over the last handful of years, he still regularly racks up nearly 180 blocked shots each season. An effective top-four option for any team throughout the NHL, Provorov’s $4.725MM salary over this season and next is much more palatable to most teams than the contract of Laine.
At the end of the day, given that both players are signed beyond this season to relatively large sums of money, it is unlikely that the Blue Jackets will be able to find a trading partner until the draft or the opening of the free-agent market next summer. Nevertheless, with plenty of competitive teams looking to make a significant upgrade in a wide-open playoff race, Laine and Provorov could quickly become some of the bigger names on the trade market leading up to the trade deadline.
As much as the Hawks could use a scorer, 9 million a year for Laine is too much. Heard he’s had attitude problems and problems getting along. The Hawks have a slew of assets to trade but Columbus is going to have to eat some of that money or I’d pass.
The hawks have tons of money. Who cares if he makes a million too much if he’s Bedard’s Guentezl for the next 10 years. Or do you still have the PTSD from the last big trade the hawks had with the jackets
Doesn’t matter how much space they have. Laine an Jones would suck up about 19 million. After that they wouldn’t have crap especially with all the 2 year deals they’re tossing out. Take Jones back and we’ll take Laine and call it even. If you want picks you gotta pay bro. That’s how the Hawks got em in the first place. Way it works.
To bad Montreal couldn’t swing a Gallagher for Laine trade. Habs get the scoring threat they need and CLB gets a 20G hard nosed brad Marchand type player. likely they would have to include 1 of there you dmen playing this year, maybe a harris. Columbus saves a 2-2.3M per year and gets a top 4 dmen. Gallagher has come back to life this season but another hard to trade contract with a 6m cap hit
I believe Gallagher has a NMC and a NTC i dont see gim waiving it to go to CLB
The hawks already made that mistake with Seth Jones. They have money right now but using it takes up future cap money, space they could use to acquire more assets in a salary dump, etc. Laine is currently about $3M overpaid per annum.
Gallagher is impossible to trade without massive sweeteners. He should be at league minimum. There will be no assets coming back for Gallagher. Maybe Harris or Guhle is enough to move Gallagher but obviously no Laine is coming back.
@Murphy, Gallagher hasn’t scored 20 in nearly 5 years. He has negative value with 3 years @6.5 per left on his deal.
Laine’s a head case
too bad
At least we know why at last.
I am wondering if the Pathers would want to have another scoring winger.. I don’t know if Laine liked playing for Paul Maurice or not in Winnipeg…..Barkov would love a Countryman on his team..
PL Dubois for Laine straight across.
Hah! sending PLD back to columbus might tear a hole in the spacetime fabric
His NMC doesn’t kick in until next year. heh,heh,heh.
Dubois could have been better than Toews if he wasn’t a greedy headcase.
Coulda been the next Messier if he chased Cups as hard as he chased that paycheck.
Gallagher is a 4th Line player next year and beyond. No GM is trading for him. Stop eating delusion for breakfast.
Provorov is only acceptable if you are looking for a clubhouse cancer.
What did Ivan do to you? Didn’t want to wear a pride jersey and you call him a clubhouse cancer- teammates have only had positive things to say about him
Provy is based. Like me. Never kneel.
How does Jarko still have a job? Awful last year after landing Gaudreau, the Babcock mess, Awful this year, multiple players reportedly wanting out.
This team is going nowhere with him and if I was ownership I would not want him making any trades that impact the club. bring in someone new who can evaluate properly.
Laine ($1.5 M retained) and a 2nd for Zegras
Both teams say no to that.
I think Columbus needs better luck when it comes to players health and more Importantly, A competent head coach to jump start this talented group of young players!
given they need more scoring, and have lots of Finns already, maybe Laine to Carolina, perhaps as a 3-team trade?