Greetings hockey fans! Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Rumours where we dive deep into the buzz surrounding the league. Even though it’s mid-July and things have quieted down, there’s still plenty of excitement to dissect. Today, we shine the spotlight on the Columbus Blue Jackets and their waiting game with Patrick Laine in the player assistance program.
In early June, Laine made a request for a trade from the Blue Jackets, sparking a flurry of interest from teams around the league. The Blue Jackets, in turn, have been actively looking to accommodate Laine’s wish. However, his current status in the player assistance program has thrown a wrench into their plans. While technically Laine can be traded while in the program, other teams are unable to communicate with him directly, creating a unique challenge for all parties involved.
With two years left on his contract and a hefty $8.7 million cap hit per year, Laine’s situation becomes even more complex. Adding to the mix is his 10-team no-trade list, narrowing down the potential landing spots for the talented winger. Prior to the off-season, there were several teams eyeing Laine as a potential fit. But with the free agency frenzy and trades reshaping rosters, the pool of interested teams has dwindled, leaving the Blue Jackets in a tough spot.
If a trade cannot be finalized before the start of the season, the Blue Jackets will have no choice but to play Laine. A strong performance by the Finnish star could reignite interest from other teams as the trade deadline looms. This would also benefit the acquiring team, as they wouldn’t be taking on as much salary and would have Laine under contract for another full season.
As we navigate through the relatively quiet mid-July period, the possibility of trading Laine may seem slim. However, history has shown us that big moves can still happen during training camp and the preseason. Just look at examples like Nail Yakupov and Justin Faulk who were dealt right before the regular season kicked off in previous years.
But ultimately, all the trade talks and speculations will amount to nothing until Laine is out of the player assistance program. So for now, we wait with bated breath to see how this saga unfolds in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned, hockey fans, as the NHL Rumours continue to swirl around the league!
