On this week’s rendition of TSN’s Insider Trading, an interesting player has reportedly hit the trade block. Pierre LeBrun indicates that one of the major goals of the offseason for the Columbus Blue Jackets is to move on from struggling forward Patrik Laine.
Laine has been an interesting player, to say the least during his time in Columbus since being acquired by the organization in a trade during the 2020-21 NHL season. In 174 games for the Blue Jackets, Laine has scored 64 goals and 138 points as the team hoped he would be a solid compliment to Johnny Gaudreau on the first line.
This past season was far and away Laine’s worst in Ohio, as he only managed six goals and nine points in 18 games. To add insult to injury, head coach of the Blue Jackets, Pascal Vincent, healthy scratched Laine for the first time in his career in mid-November before Laine finally landed in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program for the rest of the season in late January. Seemingly disgruntled on both sides of the relationship, it appears Laine and Columbus will work on a mutual move at some point this summer.
As desperately as both sides may want a formal split, Laine’s contract has quickly become one of the hardest to move in the league. The acquiring team will be on the hook for $8.7MM (~10% of the salary cap) for the next two seasons unless Columbus is willing to retain money in the trade. Still, with the lack of production on his current deal and the stop in the Player Assistance Program, most teams may be hesitant to add Laine to the roster.
Being a high-salary reclamation project, it should be a relatively easy task ironing out a list of potential suitors for Laine. Given that he only brings offensive contributions to the lineup, there are several rebuilding clubs with plenty of cap flexibility and a need for more offense. The Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, and San Jose Sharks all come to mind as clear choices to pursue a trade for Laine this summer.
All three options allow Laine a fresh start to his career two years before he hits unrestricted free agency. If Laine can rebuild is former label as a high-level goal-scoring threat throughout the league, the acquiring team may even be able to sell high on him at the trade deadline after next season.
User 1773920983
I thought he was untraceable.
PyramidHeadcrab
I’m kinda on the same page. I had high hopes for Laine, and while I hope his time in the player assistance program helps get his career back on track, he simply has not been good in Columbus.
Murphy NFLD
I wonder if he is the opposite of a lot of players in that he thrives on the big market pressure
User 1773920983
He has to stay on the ice first in order to thrive. Yeah both injuries were from cheap shots this year but others have taken those same hits and played on.
doghockey
They found him.
dave frost nhlpa
Buyout is the best option. JD clueless
uvmfiji
They’re not competing this decade. Why not try to rebuild value?
uvmfiji
Who’s gonna be the big bopper on the line with Fantilli Lace?
Joe Carters walkoff
Edmonton likes reclamation projects. Some sort of deal involving Campbells 15m for Laines 17.4m. Add-ons needed im sure
RipperMagoo
We’ve found Chiarelli’s account.
User 1773920983
Bro you have to own up on Campbell. Y’all been trying to dump him to Columbus all season. You gotta bend over and take that yourself.
denny816
Laine for Trouba?
Murphy NFLD
If it costs Ghule or Reinbacher + + for Zegres Necas them I’m a NO for both deals. I bet the habs could get laine with a little retained for there other 1st and a young D and maybe 1 or 2 of the other guys they have as throw ins, the types that blocked by better younger players that the team needs to shed anyway. Thoughts on what Laine would cost guys?
dano62
Sending Josh Anderson and his contract back to Columbus is probably all it would cost TBH
Elite-Finnish
I think they honestly would be lucky to get much value out of a Laine deal. Guy is real young and has a lot of years left to contribute, but that cap hit is quite a lot when he hasn’t played a full season in the NHL since he was 20. He’s not exceptional at both ends of the ice, but if they eat part of the contract it should be a lot easier to move. At say, 5 million, he’s not a bad pickup. Columbus isn’t going to compete in the next two years so it would make sense for them to retain and get more picks. For this, I like him going to Carolina or Anaheim. New Jersey as an outside chance.
W H Twittle
Laine’s contract has negative value.
He’s a second overall pick, but some time ago. He has health problems. So his on ice presence isn’t guaranteed. He is a good goalscorer but, the NHL is moving toward complete hockey players. Two more years are left on his contract.
Either Bluejackets retain 50% of his salary and expect little in return, maybe a third round pick; or the receiving team gets a prospect or an early second round pick for future considerations; or, Columbus takes a bad contract back and the two teams even things out with a draft pick going in the direction of the worst contract. Laine deserves a good shot at reviving his career. But the reality is simple: forget yesterday’s draft or trade, because today, his contract has negative value.
highflyballintorightfield
Kuznetsov at 50% retention through 2025 was worth a 3rd-rounder.
slimeecito
Canucks could send Hronek’s RFA rights over for Laine at 50% retained. Save some money to re sign some other guys. Who says no?
kiwimlbfan
The coach says no. He’s not a great defender and RT won’t have that.
dano62
Most Canucks fans likely, and most importantly Allvin hopefully
slimeecito
I am a Canucks fan haha. I don’t think they are gonna have enough money to give Hronek the 7-8 mil he wants. I thought maybe change of scenery Laine could possibly work out!
ericl
Laine liked playing for Brad Larsen in Columbus and had 108 points in 111 games under him. Larsen was just hired as an assistant in Calgary. Could be a fit there
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Any definitive word on what was up with Laine last year?
Laine is, IN THEORY, if he’s right, exactly what the Pens need. A right shot who can bomb from the left circle and score from distance.
Rakell and Graves for Laine, who has to add what to balance the deal?
User 517680827
Player Assistance Program is officially a joke!
uvmfiji
Did Dillon Dube complete the program?
Donovan Voigt
Tomasino for Laine 1 for 1? or what would it take? I think in the right environment with the correct coaching staff he can be very very good
kingsfan1968
Trade him for PLD!