Asking price for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine has been revealed

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
July 26, 2024 (8:10)

SHARE THIS STORY

Columbus' asking price to land Patrik Laine has been revealed by an insider amid rumours the Finnish forward could be on the move this summer.

Patrik Laine
missed the majority of the 2023-24 season due to an upper-body injury, followed by a setback. In late-January, one day following the announcement of his injury setback, Laine entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and missed the remainder of the year.

The Blue Jackets are able to trade Patrik Laine while he's in the program, but no teams are allowed to speak with him directly, which could make a deal difficult until he exits the program.

In a recent radio appearance, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic shared that the Blue Jackets are likely seeking a return including draft picks and prospects rather than a roster player. Portzline added that the Blue Jackets will have to retain a portion of Laine's salary in order to move him. Laine is owed $8.7 million per season for the next two years.

"Speaking with TSN 690 Montreal last week, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline discussed the type of return the Blue Jackets could seek for Laine. He believes they'd prefer draft picks and prospects rather than a roster player because of their off-season additions. Portzline also thinks they must retain part of his $8.7-million annual cap hit to facilitate a deal."

"The Hockey News' Jason Newland cited NHL.com's Dan Rosen speculating the Washington Capitals could be among the teams interested in Laine once he becomes available."

On Thursday, Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell was asked about Patrik Laine during an interview with TSN radio and said that the Finnish forward has indicated that he would like a fresh start elsewhere. Waddell added that the team will look at all their options once Laine exits the Player Assistance Program, but didn't rule out a return to Columbus next season if they aren't able to find a new home for him.

"Patrik's made it clear that, even before all the changes this summer, he would like a fresh start someplace. We will look at it when the time comes - which hopefully is very soon - all the options. Now, I can't rule out any options, even returning here because it takes two teams to make a trade and if there's not a trade that makes any sense to us, then we have to just deal with what reality is." Waddell said.

He added, "[Laine's agent] Andy Scott told him multiple times that we will make sure we look at everything and know the situation, and we know Patrik's feelings and we can find the right fit, certainly we will do that. But, if not, we'll have to just deal with it."

Laine, a native of Tampere, Finland appeared in 18 games this season with the Blue Jackets where he registered nine points (six goals, three assists), six penalty minutes and was a minus-ten.

Source: The Hockey News
NHL Rumor Roundup: Asking Price for Patrik Laine, the Cost of Jeremy Swayman's New Contract