Recently, Patrik Laine was cleared from the NHL and NHLPA Players Assistance Program, and the trade rumors are about to ramp up. Should the Detroit Red Wings consider a trade for the young scoring forward? Laine entered the player assistance program this past January for mental health reasons, and it was reported that he and the Columbus Blue Jackets had agreed to seek a trade so the 26-year-old could have a fresh start elsewhere.
Laine has been the center of trade rumors since June, and after three years of struggling play in Columbus, it only makes sense that both sides would agree to part ways. Of course, there are a few significant roadblocks limiting Laine's potential suitors. Laine harbors a cap hit of $8.7 million for this year and next, with $9.1 million in real money owed in each season. Laine's deal also includes a ten-team no-trade list. Octopus Thrower's Anthony Ibanez also explored the notion back in June.
The Athletic's Aaron Portzline noted that Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has said that he wants to make a hockey trade in which Columbus acquires an NHL-ready player without retaining any of Laine's salary. This seems relatively far-fetched with Laine recovering from a shoulder injury this past season, combined with his limited availability and decreased production over the past few seasons with the Blue Jackets. Portzline also speculated the Jackets might instead accept a return of draft picks and prospects due to their off-season acquisitions. He also felt they would have to retain some salary to facilitate a trade.
Should the Detroit Red Wings consider making a move for Patrik Laine?
Laine, 26, produced six goals and nine points and was a minus-10 over 18 games last season before suffering a broken clavicle in mid-December. Laine is a former 40-plus goal scorer and broke into the league with three straight 30-plus goal seasons with the Winnipeg Jets before being dealt to Columbus. With the Blue Jackets, Laine has totaled 64 goals and 138 points over 174 games, and while he was an even player in 306 games with Winnipeg, he's been a combined minus-58 with Columbus over the past four years.
Columbus experimented some with Laine at center in an attempt to get him going offensively, but I believe he's best utilized on the wing.
If the Detroit Red Wings were interested in making a deal for Laine, he'd fit nicely with two reliable 200-foot players like Michael Rasmussen and Andrew Copp, which would make for a unique third unit for Derek Lalonde and co. At just 26 years old, Laine does fit into Detroit's contention window and adds a lot of lineup flexibility. Laine, when right, is a top-line performer, but with Lucas Raymond, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and the newly added Vladimir Tarasenko locked in to begin the year on the top two lines, a player with that scoring ability such as Laine protected by two defensive responsible players on a third line can provide matchup headaches for Detroit's opponents. Not to mention another weapon to work with on Detroit's power play.
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman still has work to do this summer, getting new deals done with restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. If Laine becomes a trade option, a possible trade package built around forward Jonatan Berggren and/or Albert Johansson wouldn't be out of the question. Of course, Columbus will need to retain some salary, or Yzerman will need to force out another bad contract like Justin Holl or Ville Husso if Waddell and the Blue Jackets refuse to retain any salary. Detroit currently sits with approximately $17.6 million in cap space, but a lot of that is expected to be eaten up by their pending RFAs.