Laine Likely to Ink Massive Extension With the Blue Jackets [Rumor]

It sounds incredible considering the struggles Patrik Laine has been through this season and his declined production rate since joining the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Aaron Portlize of The Athletic predicts that Laine might not be far off from signing an extension with the Jackets and apparently, he’s going to get a lot of money to stick around.

Related: Hall Willing to Waive No-Trade, Sabres GM Working on Deal

The chances of the Blue Jackets trading Patrik Laine and the Flyers' plan heading into the NHL Trade Deadline are discussed in this week's Mailbag.https://t.co/Esmg25gbYG

— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) March 24, 2021

When asked what an extension might look like during mailbag segment, Portzline writes, “If I’m Laine’s agent, I feel really, really good about my leverage in these talks, and yes I realize he isn’t playing well right now. Doesn’t matter.” He adds that Laine has a 40-goal season on his resume, but more than that, the Blue Jackets desperate.

Suggesting the team doesn’t want to risk losing the player they got back in a huge trade (sending Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg), Portzline explains:

“You can safely assume he’s going to make well over $9 million, right? And I’m adjusting there for COVID, which owners will try to use as a negotiating tool against the players. It might hit eight digits. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see the two sides do a one-year deal that so that Laine is an RFA again the following summer.”

Why a One-Year Deal?

Portzline suggests that there could be big changes coming to the Blue Jackets organization, including the removal of their current coach. If John Tortorella is moved, it may affect Laine’s willingness to look at the Blue Jackets as a long-term fit. Portzline asks, “Could you blame him?”

The question that no one can really answer at this point is what Laine is thinking. He says he’s got no issues with the coach or his current situation, but he often doesn’t look happy. The relationship has been anything but ideal and while he’s got 14 points in 24 games, there’s not much for Laine to work with on that team.

The Blue Jackets could be moving pieces at the trade deadline and who knows what this team will look like in a year. If the Blue Jackets are willing to give him $9 or $10 million to stick around for a season, he might want to take it and look at his options again next summer.

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