Insider links Columbus Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine to Western Conference Team

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Cooper Godin
June 20, 2024 (8:23)

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One name to keep an eye on on the trade market this summer is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine, as the team looks to give him a fresh start elsewhere.

There are several teams that are expected to be in the mix to land the three-time 30+ goal scorer. According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, one of those teams is the Seattle Kraken.

On Wednesday's edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman shared that he's had people tell him that Seattle is a team to watch when it comes to where Patrik Laine could end up this summer.

"I have a few people who said to me, you have to watch Seattle on this one." Friedman said.

Laine, 26, hasn't played since mid-December after suffering an upper-body injury and had a setback in his recovery, which was announced by the team on January 27th. One day later, Laine entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and missed the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

The Tampere, Finland native appeared in 18 games this season where he put up nine points (six goals, three assists), six penalty minutes and was a minus-ten. He has two years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million. Laine's contract also includes a modified no-trade clause with a ten-team no-trade list, so we'll have to wait and see where he gets dealt to this summer and if he's require to waive his MNTC to make it happen.