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3 possible teams Patrik Laine rejected a trade to before Montreal Canadiens move feat. Minnesota Wild
Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine reportedly turned down a trade proposal before agreeing to the deal that sent him to Montreal from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Hockey News reported on Habs Insider Renaud Lavoie’s comments regarding a deal between the Blue Jackets and another unnamed team. When Patrik Laine learned of the potential deal in place, he reportedly vetoed it.
“Yes, there were other teams interested. Laine asked for a trade, as most people know,” Lavoie said via The Hockey News. “Laine apparently refused an offer from another team before the Canadiens’ one came in.”
While Lavoie didn’t specifically name the team, guessing which club it was is perhaps fairly straightforward due to the reports leading up to the trade.
Here’s a closer look at three potential trade destinations Patrik Laine may have passed on before agreeing to move to Montreal.
3 possible teams that Patrik Laine rejected before Canadiens trade
#3. Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks aggressively pursued several free-agent wingers to support rising superstar Connor Bedard. While the club added Tyler Bertuzzi, the opportunity to add Patrik Laine to the fold was too good to pass up.
However, the Blackhawks are a rebuilding team. So, it’s fair to assume that Laine wasn’t interested in being part of a rebuild. Moreover, Laine’s role in Chicago would have entailed shining the spotlight on him, something he’s been keen to shy away from before.
#2. St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues were another highly active team this offseason. The aggressive move to target two players via offer sheets underscores the Blues’ desire to improve immediately.
So, why wouldn’t the Blues be willing to add Patrik Laine? They even had prospects and draft picks needed to possibly entice the Blue Jackets into a deal. Moreover, the Blues would have been willing to make Laine a central figure in the team’s top-six forward mix.
Therein lies the dilemma. Laine appears interested in flying under the radar until he can get his game back on track. Playing in St. Louis would have shined the spotlight on him much the same way in Chicago. Plus, Laine may not have been too willing to return to the Western Conference.
Ultimately, St. Louis, while an attractive alternative, may not have appealed to Laine’s vision for his career moving forward.
#1. Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild was the team that generated the most buzz around Laine. Notably, the Blue Jackets and Wild were reportedly close to a deal. But then, the news suddenly shifted to Montreal and how the Blue Jackets and Habs had worked out a trade.
As such, could Laine have possibly nixed a deal with the Wild, and if so, why? Most likely, Minnesota wasn’t an attractive destination for Laine. While any specific reason as to why Minnesota wouldn’t be attractive to Laine is debatable, what seems more likely is that Laine refused the trade, killing any potential deal in its tracks.
Which team do you think Patrik Laine rejected a trade to before joining the Montreal Canadiens? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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