Yesterday in a column about a Patrik Laine potential trade from the Winnipeg Jets, I reviewed the history of the surprising yet suddenly-probable rumors that would move Laine from the Jets to another team.
Related: Why Are the Jets Shopping Patrik Laine: What’s Really Going on?
The 22-year-old Finn has been nothing but stellar in his play during his first four years with the Jets; however, there is speculation (mostly mine, I admit) that Laine might have pushed too hard to find a full-time spot on the wing with Mark Scheifele.
And, if so, the resulting power play might have made the team come to believe its best tactic might be to shop him to avoid a potentially contentious negotiation when his contract expires after the 2020 -21 season.
Today there were further news updates about such a potential trade. In this post, I’d like to share a number of them.
Hockey Insider Bruce Garrioch Weighs In
First, in today’s National Post, Bruce Garrioch noted that one team to watch on the Laine front would be the Philadelphia Flyers. In fact, Garrioch believed there might be an aggressive push on the Flyers’ part to land Laine. The player likely to come back in a trade would be the Flyers once-stellar defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. The issue recently with Gostisbehere is a wonky knee that has kept him from playing at 100% for the past couple of seasons.
Might the Jets be interested in Gostisbehere? The Flyers defenseman has three years left on a contract with a salary-cap hit of $4.5 million each season. If the Flyers defenseman can find his game again, it would be a good trade for the Jets and would help to solve the team’s defensive issues. However, speculation would be that the Jets would want more than Gostisbehere in return – perhaps a second-tier center?
Garrioch also noted that the Blue Jackets (which we had heard) and the Montreal Canadiens (who were new to the rumor mill) were both rumored to have sent out feelers for Laine. Rumors also suggest the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers might all have called to check the asking price. (from “INSIDER TRADING: The reality is setting in for the Tampa Bay Lightning after Stanley Cup win,” Bruce Garrioch, The National Post, 05/10/20).
Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun Weighs In
In an article in The Athletic today, Pierre LeBrun confirmed that the Flyers and Jets had discussed a Laine trade last week; however, the two sides seemed to cool off this past weekend. LeBrun anticipated that both teams might return to the table over the next few days trying to explore if there’s anything more to do that could engage further conversations. (from “Latest trade talk on Tyler Johnson, Josh Anderson and Patrik Laine, Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic, 05/10/20).
Related: Jets Prospects Gawanke, Berdin, Gustafsson & Heinola Are Staying Home
That’s the update on the Laine front. With the 2020 NHL Entry Draft beginning tomorrow, news might be coming in a hurry over the next couple of days. It’s always wise to keep an eye on the trade ticker this time of the year.
