Major trade development regarding Patrik Laine

Let the rumours and trade offers begin. Sportsnet has just reported that star forward Patrik Laine has been officially cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

This means that interested teams will be able to directly speak with the Finnish forward before a deal can be made with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Earlier this summer, Blue Jackets insider Aaron Portzline revealed how clubs were indeed interested in acquiring Laine, though they remained reluctant to pull the trigger on a trade since they couldn’t speak with him as he remained in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Portzline had said:

“He is still in the NHL player’s assistance program. He can be traded while he is in it, but the teams interested in acquiring him and the Blue Jackets would like to talk to him, but until he is cleared from the program they are unable to speak with him. He is close to being cleared, but until that happens, I don’t see a trade occurring.”

This changes today, which means a trade for Laine could take place shortly.

Several contenders have been mentioned as possible landing spot for the former second overall pick in 2016, including the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens,Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks. Laine is working with the Blue Jackets since he has a 10-team no-trade list on the two years he has left on his contract with an $8.7-million cap hit.

In just the 18 games he played with Columbus this past season, Laine recorded six goals and nine points. He was sidelined for nine contests due to a concussion in October before sustaining a broken clavicle on Dec. 14 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. But we know he has tons of potential and several suitors.

And now they will get serious about the chance of acquiring Laine, who is ready for a fresh start.