Insider Considers Metropolitan Team A "Perfect Fit" For Patrik Laine

The Patrik Laine drama continues in Columbus, as the Blue Jackets continue to try to find a team interested in taking on the former sniper and his $8.7 million cap hit. And while there have been reports that trade offers have not been in hefty supply, it's reasonable to speculate on where he'd make a good fit.

Insider Anthony DiMarco of Daily Faceoff said on the Nasty Knuckles podcast that the New York Islanders could be a "perfect" landing spot for Laine.

Patrik Laine could be a good fit for the Islanders

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"I picture him in Long Island, playing with Bo Harvat and Mathew Barzal," says DiMarco. That would be a perfect fit for him, especially with Patrick Roy loosening things up in Long Island after playing that trap game for so long under Barry Trotz and Lane Lambert."

The Islanders' top line had a revolving door on left wing last season, as a number of players were tried alongside Bo and Barzy, including Casey Cizikis, Anders Lee, Pierre Engvall, and Brock Nelson among the many rotating in and out. Laine, if he can return to being the sniper he was earlier in his career, would make that a sizzling trio with Horvat and Barzal.

Currently, a potential left winger for the Islanders' duo could be newly-signed free agent Anthony Duclair. The 10-year veteran has never been a first-line player, though he did light the lamp 24 times last season, split between the Tampa Bay Lightning and San Jose Sharks.

DiMarco isn't holding his breath on a Laine-to-the-Islanders scenario right now. Or Laine-to-anywhere else:

"If (Blue Jackets GM) Don Waddell isn't looking to retain salary, I can't imagine that there's an imminent deal."