Blue Jackets GM Provides Latest Update on Patrik Laine Trade Talks

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell hasn't been at his new job very long and he's already being tasked with some heavy lifting. Shortly after leaving the Carolina Hurricanes for the Blue Jackets, reports surfaced that Patrik Laine has requested a trade and is hopeful for a fresh start outside of Columbus.

Waddell has been busy working the phones looking for a trade partner and recently caught up with Aaron Portzline of The Athletic to provide an update:

There really aren't a lot of free agents out there. If (teams) have the (salary) cap (space) today, they'll probably still have it tomorrow. I know there are teams that are still interested. Teams keep checking in to see if there's anything new. I tell them, 'You guys have to be comfortable with (Laine), and I can't help you.' I don't know the player personally. I'm not one to try and trick people either, so (we) made him available to chat (when he's cleared).

As Waddell points out, he's ok with providing interested teams a chance to chat with Laine to ensure they are comfortable spending assets and millions of dollars to bring him in.

Laine has been in the NHLPA's player assistance program since January and it's been reported for mental health and well-being assistance. The Finnish sniper appeared in just 18 games last season and he's set to earn $8.7 million on his contract for two more seasons.

Laine was originally selected second overall at the 2016 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets and was dealt to Columbus, along with Jack Roslovic for Pierre-Luc Dubois.

"I have it on fairly good authority that (Patrik Laine) still holds Winnipeg in extremely high regard" - @mikemcintyrewpg discussed Patrik Laine's name being associated with #NHLJets trade rumours. 👀

Full conversation from today with @hustlerama: https://t.co/jQhrphEMU1 pic.twitter.com/2OjI32xptk
— Winnipeg Sports Talk (@SportsTalkWPG) June 27, 2024