Updated Landing Spots for Blue Jackets Forward Patrik Laine Amid NHL Trade Rumors
On June 18, we compiled a list of offseason landing spots for Patrik Laine. This was based on a report by TSN's Pierre LeBrun that indicated the winger and the Columbus Blue Jackets mutually agreed to seek a trade.
The 26-year-old has endured a difficult tenure with the Blue Jackets. He was hampered by injuries and inconsistency that limited his effectiveness as a scoring forward, and he entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January to focus on his mental health and well-being.
The Blue Jackets were allowed to trade Laine while he was in the program, but neither they nor interested clubs could speak directly to him. However, doctors cleared him on July 26 to rejoin Columbus.
Jackets general manager Don Waddell can now talk to the Finn about his preferred trade destinations. He carries a 10-team no-trade list on his contract, which runs through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million.
Trading Laine at this stage of the offseason could be difficult, though. Many teams have used up most of their cap space adding players earlier this summer via trades and free agency. Finding a club willing to take on his full salary won't be easy, which could force Waddell to retain up to 50 percent to facilitate a deal.
Some of the teams on our original list have already addressed their roster needs or lack the cap space to acquire Laine. With the former 44-goal scorer now available for teams to speak to, it's time to revise our list of potential destinations.
Feel free to express your thoughts on this topic in the app comments below.
Carolina Hurricanes
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It's been a summer of change for the Carolina Hurricanes.
They had to ship trade-deadline acquisition Jake Guentzel to the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 30 or lose him for nothing to free agency, and forwards Teuvo Teräväinen and Stefan Noesen departed via free agency along with defensemen Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce.
Meanwhile, winger Martin Nečas has been the subject of frequent trade speculation this summer following reports of his unhappiness with his role on the Hurricanes. But that speculation died down after he signed a two-year bridge deal on Monday.
Teams may have been waiting for the outcome of Nečas' contract talks before resuming trade inquiries. The Blue Jackets could be among them.
Waddell is former GM of the Hurricanes and knows Nečas well. He could offer Laine in a deal with the idea of Nečas centering his first or second line.
Another option could be offering Laine for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The 24-year-old has struggled to meet expectations with the Hurricanes as a second-line center. He's got four years left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.82 million.
Laine's cap hit is higher, but the term is half that of Kotkaniemi's, which could be a selling point to Carolina.
The Blue Jackets would add a young player with more years on his contract but a lower AAV who might find his footing in a less-demanding market.
Montréal Canadiens
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We included the Montréal Canadiens in our original list of potential trade destinations for Laine. This was based on their glaring need to bolster an offense whose 2.83 goals per game average last season was among the lowest in the NHL.
The Athletic's Arpon Basu reported on July 1 that Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes attempted to sign former Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault. However, he opted to join the Nashville Predators.
With the free-agent market tapped out, Hughes must go the trade route to add a scorer.
Since then, the Canadiens have been linked to Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Nečas and Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. But it seems unlikely Hughes will be able to pry away either player unless he's willing to overpay for the privilege.
Montréal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont noted the pros and cons of adding Laine to the Canadiens' roster. He pointed out that his cap hit, while expensive, is only for two years. His age would fit well within their rebuilding process, and the Blue Jackets' asking price could be reasonable.
Acquiring Laine would be a gamble for the Canadiens, but it could pay off handsomely as it did when they acquired Sean Monahan from the Calgary Flames two years ago.
They have the draft capital and depth in promising prospects to take the risk, especially if Hughes can get the Blue Jackets to retain a significant portion of Laine's cap hit.
Pittsburgh Penguins
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On July 24, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted the Pittsburgh Penguins have $3.5 million in projected cap space for 2024-25. He listed four options for general manager Kyle Dubas, one of which was adding another winger.
Vensel reported that the pickings are slim in the free-agent market. He also believes it's difficult to see them acquiring Patrik Laine.
Nevertheless, Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski had Laine among his July 5 list of potential scoring options for the Penguins. Three weeks later, he still felt the Jackets winger would be a good fit.
Kingerski acknowledged Laine's difficulties in Columbus but noted he still potted 51 goals in 129 games over the past three injury-shortened seasons. He believes the former 44-goal scorer could regain that form with a clear head and motivation. Pairing with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin could also boost his production.
The Blue Jackets would have to retain part of Laine's salary, and Dubas would also have to send a salaried player to Columbus to make this work. It could get a little complicated, but the Penguins GM is used to that as his three-team deal last summer to land Erik Karlsson attests.
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Utah Hockey Club
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The Utah Hockey Club made one of this offseason's biggest trades, acquiring defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 29. It further boosted its defense by landing John Marino from the New Jersey Devils.
Maybe general manager Bill Armstrong has another surprising move up his sleeve like adding an experienced top-six sniper.
Utah has promising young forwards like Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Mattias Macelli and Josh Doan, plus skilled veteran winger Nick Schmaltz, but Clayton Keller is its only notable scoring star.
The former Arizona Coyotes seek a fresh start in their new location. They could be a good fit for a winger like Laine, who's also hoping a change of scenery improves his outlook.
His ability to play either wing could bring some versatility to Utah's forward lines. He's also had some recent experience at center. At 26, he's also the right age to fit in well with its young forwards but also has the benefit of several NHL seasons under his belt.
Utah can afford to take on Laine's full cap hit. It also has the depth in draft picks and promising players on its roster and within its system to make a competitive bid to the Blue Jackets.
Washington Capitals
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The Washington Capitals made several significant trades this summer.
Their biggest move was sending goaltender Darcy Kuemper to the Los Angeles Kings for center Pierre-Luc Dubois. They also shipped defenseman Nick Jensen and a draft pick to the Ottawa Senators for blueliner Jakob Chychrun.
Other deals included sending a draft pick to the Calgary Flames for winger Andrew Mangiapane and dealt two draft picks to the Vegas Golden Knights for goalie Logan Thompson.
Since making those deals, the Capitals have promoted Chris Patrick as their new general manager while Brian McLellan remains president of hockey operations. Nevertheless, they might not be done making moves.
On July 24, NHL.com's Dan Rosen was asked if he thought they might pursue Laine.
Rosen noted the Capitals freed up $3.9 million in cap space following the Carolina Hurricanes' buyout of former Caps center Evgeny Kuznetsov's contract. Center Nicklas Backstrom is expected to go on long-term injury reserve and winger T.J. Oshie could do the same. That could give them sufficient cap space to acquire Laine.
Sammi Silber of The Hockey News noted the Blue Jackets might be willing to accept draft picks and prospects for Laine instead of a roster player. They have plenty of promising talent in their system and some extra picks in the 2025 draft to use as trade bait.
Laine could be a fit if the Blue Jackets retain some salary.
Salary info via PuckPedia.
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