Perfect landing spot for Patrik Laine revealed!
He demanded a trade out of Columbus earlier this week…
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine were mutually working together to trade the forward. Laine’s agent approached the Blue Jackets about a move both sides are gonna work together to try and get that done as Laine, who missed the end of the 2023-24 season after he entered the player assistance program on Jan. 28, wants a fresh start.
Several contenders have been mentioned as possible landing spot for the former second overall pick in 2016, however, one in particular is believed to be the ideal destination.
Laine has been linked to the Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals, but Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski considers the Penguins the perfect landing spot.
“The Penguins would be an ideal landing spot. There is enough Pittsburgh nightlife to be interesting for a 26-year-old but not so much as to be problematic. There’s enough boisterous fan support to make showing up for work fun, but not the oppressive Canadian glare.
“Oh, and the Penguins have what the player needs: leadership and a couple of centers who can deliver scoring chances on a silver platter.”
It is a fact that Laine remains in the program and would need to consider his recovery and well-ness in his next destination. 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 and could look to play with star talent like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in an ultimate run for the championship.
In just the 18 games he played with Columbus this year, 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 Pittsburgh could be the spot to show it off.
Laine is now looking to join his third NHL team since he was selected second overall by the Jets in the 2016 Entry Draft. Will it be the Penguins?
