Patrik Laine has been at the center of trade rumors all summer after reportedly requesting a move from the Columbus Blue Jackets in early June. The 26-year-old winger has been linked to several teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, and most recently, the Minnesota Wild.
Despite this interest, moving Laine has proven challenging due to his $8.7 million cap hit through the 2025-26 season, along with concerns about his injury history, inconsistent performance, and a recent stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program for mental health treatment.
In a recent interview with TSN’s Bryan Hayes and Dave Feschuk, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell provided some insight into Laine’s trade request. Waddell revealed that Laine had expressed a desire for a trade before Waddell took over as GM in May, citing “a lot of things going on in the locker room.”
Waddell mentioned that he’s been in daily talks with several teams, with two or three currently showing serious interest. However, he acknowledged the difficulty in finding a suitable trade partner, partly due to Laine’s hefty cap hit.
If a trade can’t be arranged, Waddell has informed Laine’s agent that the winger must report to the Blue Jackets for training camp. He emphasized that the team would welcome Laine back and work to make the best of the situation.
Sportsnet reported that Waddell has granted Laine’s agent permission to discuss potential trades with other clubs, but made it clear that a deal will only happen if it benefits the Blue Jackets. So far, no suitable offers have been made.
According to Jason Newland of The Hockey News, a trade might not materialize until later in the season, possibly around Christmas, depending on Laine’s performance with the Blue Jackets. Adam Proteau added that it’s in Laine’s best interest to play at his peak to attract a trade. However, it could take until the March trade deadline to find the right offer.
Leave a Reply