Blue Jackets GM Opens Up On Dealing With "Different Situation" Of Patrik Laine

It was a quick turnabout and an intriguing offseason for Don Waddell, stepping down from the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of May and stepping right into the fire as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The most difficult situation he inherited is that of one-time NHL sniper Patrik Laine, who we've known for months wants out of Columbus for a fresh start elsewhere.

Knowing all of the things that went on last season with Laine, on and off the ice, his very public request for a trade, in addition to his lengthy stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Waddell says this is really a new experience for him as a GM.

This is a different situation than anything I've ever dealt with. I've had players that have requested trades, sometimes you trade them and sometimes you don't. I don't know Patrik, I wasn't here last year... There were things that went on in the locker room... He's been very vocal about it way before I got here that he did not want to play for the Blue Jackets...
This is different because it's harder to bring him back knowing the situation.

However, don't take that as a 'Laine is gone for sure' statement. On the contrary, while he is talking trade with other teams, Waddell says despite the potential awkwardness of it all, Laine could be back as a Blue Jacket if the GM doesn't get an offer that he likes.

"That might be the option," said Waddell. "Because we're into the summer, he's got a high cap hit ($8.7 million) for two years... I'm talking to teams every day. I've got two or three teams engaged right now, and we'll see where it goes. But at the end of the day, like I told his representation, 'I can try to do it, but if there's not a deal to be made, he's gonna have to come back here to camp and we'll welcome him back and try to make the best of the situation.'"

Laine, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, has struggled in his 3½ seasons in Columbus, this past year playing only 18 games, recording six goals and nine points. He played only 55 and 56 games his previous two seasons, but did average about a point-per-game in that time.