Rumor: Patrik Laine has demanded a trade from Winnipeg!

All Patrik Laine wants to do is play with his team's best players, and he's never had the chance in Winnipeg. Head coach, Paul Maurice loves to balance out his top-2 lines, and Laine is always stuck with whatever's left after Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Turns out, Laine has had enough of riding in the coat-tails and according to a Jets source, he's informed Jets management his preference is to be traded!

The 22-year-old will blow up the trade market, as teams will be lining up to get their hands on the Finnish sniper. The Jets have multiple holes on defense and 2nd line center (ironic right..) so expect any deal to bring back multiple NHL ready players. 

Laine has one year left on his deal at $6.75 million and then becomes a restricted free-agent. If Laine can top the 40-goal mark again, his next deal will likely start with a $9. 

Laine is coming off a good season where he finished with 63 points in 68 games, but it's no secret there's more in the tank of potential for the scoring machine. 

It's hard to reach your potential when you feel you're constantly being held back by your coach.  That soon will change for Patrik Laine and he'll be happy to hear the news. 

Photo credit: Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire