Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine cleared to return from NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine has been cleared to return to action after being released from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Laine entered the program back in January, while recovering from an upper-body injury. The former 2016 second-overall pick appeared in 18 games last season for Columbus, recording six goals and nine points. Laine has two seasons left on his contract at $8.7 million average annual value.
While this is certainly great news for everyone involved, the attention now turns to Laine’s future as a Blue Jacket. It was confirmed earlier this offseason from Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell that Laine prefers a change of scenery and would like to be traded out of Columbus. Waddell recently spoke to TSN 1050 regarding Laine’s trade request.
“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.
[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.”
Laine’s current contract holds a modified 10-team no-trade clause. While he only appeared in 18 games last season, in 2022-23, the Finnish winger recorded 52 points in 55 games. His best season came back in 2017-18 with the Winnipeg Jets, when Laine scored 44 goals and recorded 70 points in 82 games.
Waddell has made it very clear he’ll only trade Laine if it’s a scenario that works for everyone involved and so far, there’s been limited speculation on interested teams.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli commented on Laine’s future last month, “I don’t think the Blue Jackets are looking futures. I think they’ve got enough top-end prospects, they’ve got another top-five pick this year. Waddell has been really clear saying there’s going to be six new faces with the Blue Jackets next season, at least. I’m guessing that these are going to be roster pieces for this year and now.”
The Blue Jackets finished the 2023-24 season with a 27-43-12 record.