Blue Jackets And Patrik Laine Could Benefit From Staying Together – Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

Will you stay or will you go? That’s the question many in the hockey world are asking themselves when it comes to the Columbus Blue Jackets and star player Patrik Laine.

Laine has been cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Interested parties can talk to him and his representation to see if anything can be fixed.

But as we sit here in the middle of August, things remain the same. Laine is a Green Jacket for now. He has two seasons remaining on a 4-year contract he signed in the summer of 2022 at $8.7 million AAV.

It remains to be seen whether he will compete before the start of the new season. However, if this goes on long enough, there is a good chance that Laine will start the 2024-25 season as a Green Jacket.

You know what? That’s not a bad thing when it happens. In fact, it can be very beneficial for both parties.

Why Is There No Exchange Yet?

First, we need to consider why the trade hasn’t happened yet. Since August is a slow month on the hockey calendar, most people are off the pool or doing something away from the hustle and bustle of business. Maybe as we get closer to training camp, things might get better.

But again, not many teams have the cap space to take on the full $8.7 million in Laine’s contract. The Blue Jackets’ preference would be to completely eliminate cap space. That may not happen, at least not yet.

Laine has not played a single game since December 2023 before going off injured. Assuming he dresses in a preseason game, that would mark his first game action in nine months. Teams will naturally feel hesitant to know what they are going to get. What you would like to see is how he does when he is back on the ice.

That’s especially true if they consider taking on Laine’s full contract. $8.7 million is a lot to take on without knowing exactly what you’re getting. Even the Blue Jackets who ended up at 50% are still asking questions until teams see where Laine is. That’s still $4.35 million against the cap and not everyone can fit that into their budget. While there is certainly a reward if he goes back to his old self, there is also a great risk.

Benefits of Living Together

This is where both Laine and the Blue Jackets can do their best if they agree to stay together in the short term. Laine will get her chance to show everyone where she is. If he looks refreshed and refreshed while still looking like the old Laine, his trade value goes up. The Blue Jackets would receive more suitors and better offers for his services.

The Blue Jackets are hoping Laine returns to form. And while it’s unlikely, it’s also not completely out of the question that he has a change of heart. There are new managers and an experienced coach running on the bench. We cannot replace the new leadership to help him stay.

You May Like It Again

Ultimately, if it is Laine’s desire to start over with a new team, he increases his chances of getting money by starting back and the blue jackets give it his all. There are too many questions being played right now for all teams to enter. Most all questions can be answered on the ice by his performance.

While this has been a tough situation to navigate, both sides can still come away with wins if they stay together to start the season. The Blue Jackets have shown that they are willing to accept this request. But they also showed that they must return something worthy. GM Don Waddell would have started trading by now. For one reason or another, he didn’t.

That suggests the Blue Jackets/Laine connection may not be done yet. We will see. If they live together, that would be a good thing. For Laine in particular, that could work very well for him.

Stay tuned. This story is far from over.