According to Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Penguins could be a potential landing spot for 2016 second overall pick Patrik Laine, who will reportedly be on the move this summer, after he exits the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program.
Laine, 26, had a very tough 2023-24 campaign which included an upper-body injury and then he entered the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program just one day after it was reported he suffered a setback in his recovery. He was limited to just 18 games during the 2023-24 season where he had nine points (six goals, three assists), six penalty minutes and was a minus-ten.
Smith, 33, was traded to Pittsburgh just a couple of weeks after his Stanley Cup win with the Vegas Golden Knights, who he spent six seasons with. In his first year with the Penguins, Smith had 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a plus-three. He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million, which Columbus could definitely add in full, especially if Pittsburgh takes on all of Laine's contract. Laine has two years left on his deal with a cap hit of $8.7 million.
It's unclear when, but Don Waddell shared this week that Patrik Laine may exit the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program in a matter of days and once he's out, it won't be long before the Blue Jackets find a new home for the Tampere, Finland native for the 2024-25 season.
