It’s been nearly two weeks since Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine exited the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Laine and the Blue Jackets had previously agreed to look for a trade this offseason once he was released from the program, but Laine’s trade market appears to be stagnant. With an $8.7MM salary for the next two years, and with general manager Don Waddell not looking to retain 50% of his salary, only a handful of teams would be able to acquire him this summer.
It was only yesterday that Joe Smith and Michael Russo of The Athletic broached the possibility of the Minnesota Wild acquiring Laine before the start of next season. The Finnish sniper fills a serious need on the wing for Minnesota but their current salary cap table may put too many problems in their way. The Wild organization has approximately $750K in salary according to PuckPedia and may have to part with too much to put Laine into the mix.
One team that has both financial space and a need for Laine is the Montreal Canadiens. The team’s first line should be set in stone after a strong 2023-24 season but Laine could give the team a serious offensive boost on the second line. The Canadiens finished 26th in the league in goals per game with 2.83 during the 2023-24 season and Laine’s 0.425 GF/G average throughout his career would certainly be enticing. However, with Kirby Dach expected to fully bounce back from a lost season after tearing his ACL and MCL last year, Montreal may be content with plugging him back into the team’s second line.
The Anaheim Ducks have already acknowledged they will lean more heavily on their youngsters for offensive production next season. The organization can count Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Trevor Zegras in their top six but could still use a consistent goal-scoring threat. After failing to capitalize on Frank Vatrano’s 37-goal season via the trade market last year, the Ducks could move him to the Blue Jackets in a one-for-one swap. There’s plenty of indication that Vatrano will regress to the mean this year and Laine would give them one more year of control.
Other organizations could use Laine and theoretically fit him into the lineup (especially if Columbus retains his salary) but the clock is beginning to run out on a possible deal. The Blue Jackets have about a month and a half before training camp starts to move Laine to an interested party. Do you think it will be one of these teams or another one entirely?
The Jets
You just made me spit out my drink. Bravo!
None. Nobody wants him. He stays put.
Carolina!
They need scoring which this guy brings if he plays
That’s all he brings but they should be fine with it
I wonder about Utah. Reports suggested they would target a couple top-six forwards and they have yet to land one thus far. They have the assets to make it work.
Would like to see San Jose make a move getting Laine to help Macklin, similar to what Chicago did to get Hall but, I don’t know San Jose would surrender a high draft pick to get him
You mean Macklin helping Laine. He’s not helping anyone
He stays until the deadline!
The California Golden Seals.
Tampa. He’ll spend the whole year on LTIR and then magically recover in Game 2 of Round 1.
Calgary to be reunited with Brad Larsen
Columbus he stays he pits 15 goals in first 40 games then gets traded to Kings after a few Injuries hit LA. Then they retain 25% and receive a prospect and pick. Right now he’s not worth much because no teams are desperate. 40 games in teams with high expectations will be.
Wonder if they could match up with the blues for one of their high priced dmen.
Habs and depending on if the pay his salary down some or not Armia will be included. Harris/Barron, 2nd round pick, then a b level prospect with middle 6 his likely ceiling. I think Sean Farrell is the best bet. He’s a small guy but he was elite in his amateur career
I will also say Habs and throw in Utah and Pitt as wildcards. Just a feeling.
I wonder if the Rangers will try to trade Trouba for him straight up?
If that were the case Trouba would be in Detroit right now. He initiated his NO TRADE clause because his wife is finishing her law degree in NY. No way Trouba is going to Columbus.
Trouba for Laine straight up.
It might be worth a shot, but after what went down this summer with Trouba, can’t see the Rangers making that trade until the trade deadline at the earliest. More likely next summer.
You guys are NOT paying attention to Salary structure..Trouba initiated his NO TRADE to Detroit. REASON: His wife is finishing her law degree in NY. Trouba WILL be Traded Most like during trade deadline or After this season.
Why? Rangers STILL have to pay Igor next year and lock up Lindgren long term. Laine has a CAP HIT of $8.7M for the Next 2 years which is More than what Trouba is being paid.
No team wants cryne
Who wants that headache? If PLD can get traded I guess there is some GM who thinks he’s smarter than everyone else and can make Laine a model player.
Team run by Yzerman that has no vision, strategy or execution should not have fans chirping
Nowhere till Columbus pays half his salary and or Columbus receives bad contracts If it was one year Anaheim / San jose could take chance flip him at deadline if shows anything.
It really does feel that if something gets done before the year it will be to a middle of the pack team. It will be a dump for dump scenario. If Wild had money would be done with a descent chance it would work for him on that team, Habs look like they want to get to the brink of a playoff spot so I understand the interest, but to include even an Armia will be a bigger net loss due to his SH ability then the net gain of Laine. Montreal will eat him alive. To me I want to see Buffalo acquire Laine without retention especially after eating the 8 mil a year on Skinner which by the way will score 30+ this year and 75pts.
Edmonton would have been an interesting spot for Laine to land before there new signings.
He thrived as a Jet.
He was also a lot younger and less injured.
I’m not seeing a perfect fit. Utah, the Blues and the Jets could use some offense so maybe one of them. I can’t see Anaheim or Montreal paying the price in futures since they don’t project to make the playoffs this year or next.
The closer it gets to September the more it feels like it’ll be a deadline deal.
They will get a better deal at the deadline when teams are desperate and more $ has been paid out from his remaining contract.
I love him in a few situations where he could quietly light the lamp as a capable veteran playing big minutes— Utah and San Jose, namely.
Toronto doesn’t have the pieces, but I would love him here too, even if just for another look on the powerplay. Columbus would need to retain half and Toronto would have to move Kampf and Jarnkrok, which would thin the depth even more.
And it will cost a lot of assets just to move those 2 co tracts off Leafs!! They won’t bring you back anything, they cuts you to move them-
What would clb or any other team want those contracts for?
has anyone mentioned Detroit Red Wings? Why not. Give them a pretty solid 3 lines
Trade him to the Avs straight up for Nichushkin. Garbage for garbage.
No one. Too expensive and gets traded twice at the deadline to minimize the cap hit.
The obvious choice the Capitals. Laine said his favorite player Ovechkin and team Caps. With Kuzy contract gone they have draft capital, expiring contracts and RD in TVR.
Seems like a stupid, ill-advised move Rob Blake would make.