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NHL Rumors: Elliotte Friedman names best fit for in-demand $34,800,000 Blue Jackets winger
The Columbus Blue Jackets will have some serious suitors for Patrik Laine, who signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract in 2022. Several teams are expected to line up for the talented winger, and Elliotte Friedman has his eyes on a team he believes would make an excellent fit.
"I have a few people who said to me, 'You have to watch Seattle on this one.' And that doesn't come as a surprise because the Kraken have been looking for scorers, right? That is the team whenever we talk about someone looking for a scorer. I mean, everybody is, but we mention Seattle in particular," Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast (26:08–27:01).
As per Friedman, the Seattle Kraken are a team to watch out for. They need scoring, and there aren't many options out there better than Laine.
The primary reason the Jackets would need to move on would be to alleviate some of the salary hit. Laine is not cheap, as he costs them $8.7 million per year. That's something the Kraken or any other team would need to absorb, but Laine is a talented player who can change a franchise.
Other fits for top Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine
The Seattle Kraken is unlikely to be the only club interested in Patrick Laine. It's common for players of his caliber to incite a bidding war of sorts, and the Carolina Hurricanes could come into play. Jake Guentzel could walk in free agency, but Laine could replace him.
The Montreal Canadiens also make sense. They don't have a lot of shoot-first players on their team, which can lead to a lack of scoring. The depth up front could be significantly bolstered by Laine.
The Nashville Predators are looking more into the future, and Laine is a perfect fit for that. They also don't have a ton of volume shooters on the roster, making this a smart move and a good fit.
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