One-Year Extension for Laine Likely

Patrik Laine hasn't been himself. There's no doubt that when general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made him the centrepiece in the Pierre Luc-Dubois trade, he expected he'd be a legitimate scoring threat on most nights.

That hasn't been the case, as the Finnish forward currently sits with just nine goals and five assists in 19 games.

Still, in a year where Laine is heading towards restricted free agent status, it's more than likely Kekalainen signs him to at least a one-year extension so as not to have traded away Dubois for nothing. That's according to a report this week from The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

The Athletic: Blue Jackets Mailbag |
What’s wrong with Patrik Laine? Can GM Jarmo Kekalainen trade for a No. 1 center? Can #CBJ sign Seth Jones to an extension? Will John Tortorella be back next year?

The mailbag was bursting this week.https://t.co/jr62eoqWx7 pic.twitter.com/MHQGv41uJr
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 25, 2021

Let's not forget Laine has 40 goal seasons under his belt. With the potential for a new coach next year, or whatever ends up happening in Columbus, this weird year of COVID quarantine and cross-border trading could slip into a distant memory, and Laine could return to form. Anything is possible.

Portzline noted right now, Laine looks lost on the ice. But, he added:

If I’m Laine’s agent, I feel really, really good about my leverage in these talks, and yes I realize he isn’t playing well right now. Doesn’t matter. He has 40-goal seasons on his resume, and the Blue Jackets are in a desperate state to make sure they don’t lose the player who was the centerpiece in the Dubois trade. You can safely assume he’s going to make well over $9 million, right? And I’m adjusting there for COVID, which owners will try to use as a negotiating tool against the players. It might hit eight digits. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see the two sides do a one-year deal that so that Laine is an RFA again the following summer. Let’s face it: this hasn’t been a great season so far for Laine in Columbus. The coach could be changing, the roster could see dramatic changes … he may want another season to decide if he wants to commit long-term. Could you blame him?

- 'What’s wrong with Patrik Laine? Trade for a No. 1 center? Locking up Seth Jones: Blue Jackets Mailbag' Aaron Portzline The AthleticMar 25, 2021