Metropolitan Division: Patrik Laine Cleared to Return, on NHL Trade Block

Earlier in the summer, we learned that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine was a candidate to be moved via NHL trade. However, due to his attendance in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, those discussions were put on pause. Now, the 26-year-old Finnish sniper is reportedly cleared to return from the assistance program — via Elliotte Friedman — which means the Blue Jackets have free rein to discuss a trade with other teams. In fact, it appears that step has already been taken, as the 26-year-old and his agent have been given permission to speak with other teams.

Good news on Patrik Laine: he is cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Glad to see he is feeling better.

Laine is still recovering from shoulder surgery. As for his NHL future, teams interested in acquiring him were told they are free to contact Laine.…

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 26, 2024

Laine is not on an expiring contract with two years remaining on his four-year, $34.8 million deal ($8.7 million AAV), therefore discussions are seemingly to gauge which teams have interest in the player. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026, and owns a 10-team no-trade clause in the final two years of his contract, which potentially deters a few teams away from the NHL trade block.

However, it appears a trade is a matter of when, not if, as Laine told Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell he’d like a fresh start elsewhere.

“Patrik’s made it clear that, even before all the changes this summer, he would like a fresh start someplace,” Waddell told TSN. “We will look at it when the time comes – which hopefully is very soon – all the options. Now, I can’t rule out any options, even returning here because it takes two teams to make a trade and if there’s not a trade that makes any sense to us, then we have to just deal with what reality is.

“[Laine’s agent] Andy Scott told him multiple times that we will make sure we look at everything and know the situation, and we know Patrik’s feelings and we can find the right fit, certainly we will do that. But, if not, we’ll have to just deal with it.”

Regardless, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports that the Blue Jackets are looking for picks and prospects in return for the once 40-goal and multi-30-plus goalscorer.

Laine only laced up his skates for 18 games in 2023-24, recording six goals and nine points in that span before a shoulder injury and then entering the assistance program ended his season.

There is appeal for teams in terms on an NHL trade, however.

In the two seasons prior, Laine was a point per-game player (or near it) with the Blue Jackets, collecting 26 goals and 56 points in 56 games in 2021-22 and 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games in 2022-23.

One team who has previously expressed interest in acquiring Laine is the Washington Capitals.

“This Columbus thing is pretty interesting,” said Friedman last December via 32 Thoughts the Podcast. “I don’t think Edmonton is the only team that’s been around them, I don’t think that they’re the only team that’s been around Columbus a little bit. I think Washington has been around them. Also, I think Vegas has been around them. There’s some teams looking at it.”

Laine would make for an interesting add on the Capitals who are already gambling on Pierre Luc-Dubois and the remainder of his rich seven-year contract. Washington is currently over the cap by $-10,270,001, but is expected to put T.J. Oshie’s $5.75 million on long-term injured reserve.

From a New Jersey Devils standpoint, this is an NHL trade scenario general manager Tom Fitzgerald should avoid.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL