NHL: Montreal Canadiens at Columbus Blue Jackets — Insider speculates $34.8M Patrik Laine's trade package to facilitate move out of Columbus Blue Jackets (Image via Imagn)

NHL Rumors: Insider speculates $34.8M Patrik Laine's trade package to facilitate move out of Columbus Blue Jackets

Modified Jul 19, 2024 14:50 GMT

NHL insider Aaron Portzline speculated about a potential trade package for Patrik Laine. Laine is a forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract in July 2022. Laine entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January 2024 and is currently away from the team.

In June 2024, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported mutual interest between Patrik Laine and the Blue Jackets to part ways. Laine’s agent expressed his client's desire for a fresh start. This prompted the Blue Jackets to explore potential trade options.

During an interview on TSN Radio, Portzline suggested that Columbus is likely looking for a combination of picks and prospects rather than an immediate roster player. The primary challenge will be negotiating how much of Patrick Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit the Blue Jackets will need to retain to facilitate the trade.

Portzline also mentioned that Columbus doesn’t necessarily need to acquire a forward in return due to their young talent and recent free-agent additions.

"I think the chances of that were probably not great, even before the draft and before free agency, now, I think you’ve probably taken some teams out of the market for Laine with the players that they added either during the draft or in free agency," Portzline said.

"But he said to me just the other day he still gets phone calls from teams that are interested, wondering what’s the latest, where this is going? And there’s really not much he can tell him because the player is still in the program."

Patrik Laine is still in the assistance program, while Columbus continues to receive inquiries from teams interested in Laine.

Columbus Blue Jackets president talks about Patrik Laine

Patrick Laine's trade will be delayed until he leaves the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Trades are allowed while he's in the program, but interested teams want to talk to him first. Columbus Blue Jackets president Don Waddell said no team can contact Laine during this time.

"Teams keep checking in to see if there’s anything new,” Waddell said (via TSN). "... I’m not one to try and trick people either, so [we] made him available to chat [when he’s cleared].”

Patrik Laine joined the program in January after a clavicle fracture. He finished the season with six goals and nine points in 18 games. He is signed for two more seasons at $8.7 million per year, making him the third-highest paid player on the team. Laine, who was traded to Columbus in 2020, has struggled with injuries.