Surprising team emerges as a favorite to land Blue Jackets star Patrik Laine
As rumors swirl about a possible Patrik Laine trade, the Minnesota Wild have emerged as a potential destination for the sniper, who has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith.
It is expected that Wild GM Bill Guerin will reach out to Laine to discuss his interest in playing for Minnesota.
«The problem I have with Laine is it depends on what kind of team you are. Everything that Minnesota has established themselves to be as far as their identity, working hard and lunch pail, he's not that. The thing that's kept Minnesota competitive is everybody's kind of pulling the same way and there's no freelancers. I think he would be a freelancer. It could work, but it could be really bad, too.»
The Wild would need to clear significant salary to fit the 26-year-old on the roster, as they currently have only $1.531 million in cap space. Laine's contract has two years remaining with an average annual value of $8.7 million.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has said he is not interested in retaining half of Laine's salary to facilitate a trade to a cap-strapped team.
The Athletic's Aaron Portzline believes the Blue Jackets are looking to make a "hockey trade" for Laine to stay competitive, meaning they may need to take back salary, either through retained salary or a player with a sizeable contract.
Laine was recently cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program after entering in January. He played just 18 games last season, recording six goals and nine points.
Selected second overall in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets, Laine has been unable to replicate his early career success since being traded to Columbus in 2020. After scoring 28 or more goals - including a career-high 44 goals in 2017-18 - in each of his first four seasons, Laine has failed to top 26 with the Blue Jackets while dealing with various injuries.
He had 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games in 2022-23 with the Blue Jackets, who have missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. He has totaled 204 goals and 388 points in 480 career games with the Jets and Blue Jackets.
Credit: TSNReport: Wild could have interest in F Laine
| POLL | ||
5 AOUT | 62 ANSWERS Surprising team emerges as a favorite to land Blue Jackets star Patrik Laine Where do you think Patrik Laine will get traded? | ||
| Minnesota Wild | 11 | 17.7 % |
| Montreal Canadiens | 20 | 32.3 % |
| Buffalo Sabres | 9 | 14.5 % |
| Other | 22 | 35.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
