Report: Blue Jackets seriously lower their asking price on Patrik Laine

According to a report from Columbus Blue Jackets insider Aaron Portzline, newly hired GM Don Waddell has let leak what his asking price is for Finnish sniper Patrik Laine.

Laine, who is in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program, has requested a fresh start and new CBJ GM Don Waddell is doing his best to find a trade partner, but because teams can't speak directly to Laine there's been little progress. 

As for the asking price... well, you may be surprised. Portzline reports that Waddell and the Jackets are seeking draft picks and prospects for Laine, rather than established roster players. Portzline also reports that the Blue Jackets will likely retain salary on a Laine trade. 

Portzline also contends that the time to trade Laine was prior to the 2024 NHL Draft and the opening of free agency but, obviously, that time has passed. With the reduced asking price of just a pick and a prospect though, a deal could happen sometime in August.

What happens next isn't exactly clear though.

From Portzline's column for The Athletic:

Waddell is still hopeful it’s not too late to find a trade partner for Patrik Laine, who asked the club for a change of scenery after a difficult last season in Columbus. Laine is still in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. While the Jackets can trade him while he’s still in the program, neither they nor any other club can speak directly to Laine, and Waddell said all interested parties have asked to speak to Laine before putting together a trade package for him. “Teams keep checking in to see if there’s anything new,” Waddell said. “I tell them, ‘You guys have to be comfortable with (Laine), and I can’t help you.’ I don’t know the player personally. I’m not one to try and trick people either, so (we) made him available to chat (when he’s cleared).”

The prime time to trade Laine — the NHL Draft and the start of free agency — have both passed, but Waddell remains hopeful. “There really aren’t a lot of free agents out there,” he said. “If (teams) have the (salary) cap (space) today, they’ll probably still have it tomorrow. I know there are teams that are still interested.”

- Aaron Portzline

Laine has two years remaining on a deal that pays him $8.7 annually, so it's not surprising that teams have been hesitant to make a deal. After all, if I'm a GM looking to add nearly $9 million to my pay roll, I want to at least check in with the player to get a sense of their mental wellbeing before making a move.

Stay tuned.