The Columbus Blue Jackets, Patrik Laine and his agent are looking to find the winger a new home.
This, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, who said that while Laine remains in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, the sides are looking to make a move.
“We know that Patrik Laine entered the player assistance program, had the courage to seek help and he’s still in the program right now,” said LeBrun on Insider Trading. “So, we have to consider that factor. But, he would like to move on. His agent has had conversation with the Blue Jackets about it, and both sides are going to work together to try and get that done. He wants a fresh start, it hasn’t been a good time in Columbus. Two more years at $8.7 million a year, let’s see how big that market is, but we know what the potential is.
Laine, 26, has spent the last four seasons in Columbus, racking up 64 goals and 74 points in 174 games. Selected by the Winnipeg Jets second overall in the 2016 draft, Laine took the league by storm, scoring 110 goals and 184 points in 237 games across his first three seasons which saw him score 36, 44 and 30 goal seasons.
While Laine scored 28 goals in 68 games in his fourth year, he’s struggled to find his game since. Part of that is due to limited games, as he’s remained an effective goal-scorer scoring 48 goals in 111 games between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 season. His 1.37 goals per hour in all situations ranks 32nd among 225 forwards with over 2000 minutes.

Hurricanes working on long-term extension for Jaccob Slavin

A day after word crept out that Eric Tulsky was in line to become the next general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, so too has word the club is looking to lock up defenceman Jaccob Slavin to a long-term extension.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, they’re looking to get a jumpstart on some work by inking Slavin.
Here’s more on the 30-year-old blueliner from Daily Faceoff’s Colton Davies:
Slavin finished the 2023-24 regular season scoring six goals and 37 points, the second-most in a single season in his career. He posted a career-high 42 points in 2021-22.
The 30-year-old was also the recipient of the 2023-24 Lady Byng Trophy, the award is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association, and is given to the player that is “adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
Slavin registered just four minor penalties in 81 games during the 2023-24 season, ranking first in ice time among the 35 skaters who played at least 50 games and had 10 or fewer penalty minutes this season.
The Hurricanes have some work to do, interim GM Erik Tulsky will be busy as Jake Guentzel, Jordan Martinook, Teuvo Teravainen, and Brett Pesce are among the notable names that can walk on July 1. Meanwhile, Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas are key restricted free agents in need of new contracts.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.