The price to acquire Columbus' star goal scorer Patrick Laine has been revealed

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Sam Walker
July 27, 2024 (2:58 PM)

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are considering trading winger Patrik Laine, who spent much of the 2023-2024 season sidelined with a concussion and a broken clavicle, limiting him to 18 games and 9 points.

After his injuries, he entered the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program and was recently cleared to return.

The Blue Jackets are looking to trade Laine and are open to retaining some of his salary to facilitate a deal.

"Patrik's made it clear that, even before all the changes this summer, he would like a fresh start someplace. We will look at it when the time comes - which hopefully is very soon - all the options. Now, I can't rule out any options, even returning here because it takes two teams to make a trade and if there's not a trade that makes any sense to us, then we have to just deal with what reality is." Waddell said.

He added, "[Laine's agent] Andy Scott told him multiple times that we will make sure we look at everything and know the situation, and we know Patrik's feelings and we can find the right fit, certainly we will do that. But, if not, we'll have to just deal with it."

They're seeking draft picks and prospects rather than current players due to their recent signings.

Laine has two years left on his contract with an $8.7 million annual cap hit.

General Manager Don Waddell stated on TSN that Laine is interested in a fresh start elsewhere, but returning to Columbus isn't off the table if a trade doesn't happen.

Source: Blade of Steel
Asking price for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine has been revealed