Connect with us

Columbus Blue Jackets

Laine Likely Won’t Be Traded Before the NHL Entry Draft

While the Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine are having trouble finding common ground on an extension, don’t expect a trade… yet.

While the Columbus Blue Jackets seem to be having some trouble getting a long-term deal worked out with Patrik Laine, it’s not expected that the lack of progress on term and dollar value will rear its ugly head at the NHL Entry Draft on Thursday or Friday. The Blue Jackets are prepared to wait and will move Laine only in the event that they have to as the season gets closer.

Related: Laine & Blue Jackets Not Even Close to Contract Agreement

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic took a look at the situation between Laine and the Jackets and writes that a trade may be the eventual outcome. He notes that there has to be a resolution and explains:

If the Blue Jackets aren’t going to get Laine signed to a long-term contract, they’d have to consider trading him rather than risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent next summer. The draft could be seen as the Blue Jackets’ best chance to get the best return for the high-scoring Finn.

Laine, 24, had a bounce-back season for the Blue Jackets, producing at a point-a-game pace (26-30-56 in 56 games). He went on an incredible run during the year where he scored 19 goals in 23 games from late January to mid-March. Imagine him getting hot with a passer like Leon Draisaitl or being ready for a one-timer from Connor McDavid?

It’s not clear what Laine wants in a long-term extension. If the number is $7 million or more, perhaps the Oilers aren’t a fit. The issue in Columbus is probably money so it would be logical to assume that any team that trades for Laine will have to consider the investment that will be required to keep him around.

Related: Pierre-Luc Dubois Might Want to Move, But Winnipeg Jets Won’t Give In

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: “Duncan Keith is Absolutely Considering Retirement," Says Oilers Insider

Leave a Reply

More News

PuckPedia NHL Trade Talk

Discover more from NHL Trade Talk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading