5 Offseason Landing Spots for Patrik Laine Amid NHL Trade Rumors
On June 12, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine are looking to part ways with a trade this summer.
This season was difficult for the winger. He played only 18 games due to injuries during the first half. In January, he entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to focus on his mental health and well-being where he spent the remainder of the season.
Laine's tenure with the Blue Jackets has been disappointing. Acquired from the Winnipeg Jets early in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, he's been hampered by injuries ever since. He has two seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list.
Selected second overall by the Jets in the 2016 NHL draft, he had the making of a scoring star. He netted 36 goals in his 2016-17 rookie season, followed by a 44-goal performance in his sophomore year. His production dropped to 30 goals and 50 points in 2018-19, but he had 28 goals and 63 points in 68 games before COVID ended the 2019-20 season.
LeBrun indicated Laine seeks a fresh start elsewhere. Given his contract and injury history, he's not sure what the market will be for the 26-year-old, but his potential for a bounce-back performance could make him enticing for clubs seeking more scoring.
Here's a look at five NHL teams that could take a gamble on Laine in this summer's trade market. Let us know what you think in the app comments below.
Anaheim Ducks
1 of 5
Under general manager Pat Verbeek, the Anaheim Ducks have spent the past two seasons rebuilding their roster with promising young talent.
They might now be ready to add some veterans to take some of the burden off those youngsters as they learn their craft at the big-league level.
The Ducks need help at every position, especially among their forward lines. That lack of depth accounted for their lowly 2.48 goals per game average, sitting 30th this season among all clubs.
Laine would fit well among the Ducks' top two forward lines. He could skate alongside promising Mason McTavish or Leo Carlsson. Putting him with Trevor Zegras could help both players enjoy bounce-back performances.
The Ducks have plenty of cap space, carrying $33.3 million with 17 active roster players under contract for 2024-25. They can easily afford Laine's full cap hit.
Verbeek can also draw on lots of draft capital for trade bait, carrying an extra first-round pick, two second-rounders and three third-round picks in this year's draft.
Chicago Blackhawks
2 of 5
The addition of generational star Connor Bedard provided hope for Chicago in an otherwise dismal season for the storied franchise.
While rebuilding its roster, it finished second-last in the overall standings with 23 wins and 52 points, landing with the second-overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Bedard had a solid NHL debut, leading Chicago and all rookies with 22 goals and 61 points despite missing 14 games with a fractured jaw. However, management must surround its franchise star with better talent or risk hampering his development into a potential superstar.
Assuming Laine has no objections about going to Chicago, he could be a strong fit alongside the 18-year-old on its first line.
The youngster's slick playmaking combined with Laine's wicked shot could provide this rebuilding team with a dangerous scoring line for at least the next two seasons, perhaps longer if Laine pans out as Bedard's wingman.
Chicago has $32.9 million in cap space with 16 active roster players signed for next season. That's enough room to take on Laine's full cap hit. It also possesses considerable depth in picks over the next three drafts and promising prospects to make a worthwhile bid to the Blue Jackets.
Montréal Canadiens
3 of 5
An anemic offense prevented the Montréal Canadiens from advancing up the standings in 2023-24.
Their 2.83 goals per game average ranked 26th among the 32 NHL clubs, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský providing the bulk of the offense among their forwards.
The Canadiens could see a boost in production in 2024-25 with healthy performances from forwards Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. Nevertheless, they could benefit from a proven scoring winger like Laine.
He's the right age to work among their young forwards and could be a good fit with the Canadiens provided they aren't on his no-trade list.
While the Canadiens carry $9.4 million in cap space for 2024-25, they have 20 active roster players under contract. They can also get $10.5 million in cap flexibility with goaltender Carey Price on permanent long-term injured reserve. Still, they could request the Blue Jackets retain part of Laine's $8.7 million cap hit.
If the Jackets insist on moving out the entirety of Laine's cap hit, the Canadiens could insist they reacquire Josh Anderson in the deal.
The 30-year-old winger carries an AAV of $5.5 million through 2026-27. Like Laine, he's struggled in recent years and might benefit from a trade.
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
Nashville Predators
4 of 5
The Nashville Predators have a reputation as a strong defensive club lacking scoring depth. While they finished 10th during the 2023-24 regular season in goals per game average (3.24), they plummeted to 2.00 during the playoffs, finishing 14th among the 16 postseason clubs.
Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean suggested Carolina's Martin Nečas, Anaheim's Trevor Zegras or Kaapo Kakko of the New York Rangers as trade targets to bolster the Predators' forward lines.
There was speculation linking the Predators to Toronto's Mitch Marner, but the Maple Leafs haven't spoken to anyone yet about the playmaking winger.
The news of Laine's availability in the trade market could interest Nashville general manager Barry Trotz. His contract is more expensive than the deals of Nečas, Zegras or Kakko but less expensive than Marner's $10.9 million cap hit for next season. He would also be less costly to acquire given his injury history.
With $26.4 million in cap space and 15 active roster players under contract for 2024-25, the Predators can afford to take on Laine's full cap hit. They also have plenty of draft capital to draw on for trade bait, including two first-round picks and two second-rounders in 2025, and three second-round picks in 2024.
Seattle Kraken
5 of 5
A high-scoring offense was crucial to the Seattle Kraken reaching the 2023 playoffs in just their second season of existence. Their 3.52 goals per game average sat fourth overall by season's end.
However, the Kraken's goals per game plummeted this season to 2.61, finishing 29th overall and putting them out of playoff contention. That could put general manager Ron Francis in the market for additional scoring punch.
Laine would be a solid addition for Seattle. He could skate at right wing on the first line with center Matty Beniers, providing the promising young center with a potential 40-goal linemate. It could also put him on the second line with former 40-goal center Jared McCann.
The Kraken have $22.5 million in cap space with 16 active roster players signed for 2024-25. Some of that will go to raises for Beniers and winger Eeli Tolvanen.
However, Francis could convince the Blue Jacket to retain part of Laine's cap hit if he offers up one of his two second-rounders in this year's draft.
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
