Laine released from player assistance program

Columbus Blue Jackets sniper Patrik Laine has been cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the team was informed, per The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

Laine is still recovering from shoulder surgery, though, notes Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. His timeline is unclear.

It was reported in June that Laine and the Blue Jackets were working together to facilitate a trade. His release from the player assistance program could potentially expedite the process, as teams want to speak with Laine before engaging in trade discussions. No team, including the Blue Jackets, could talk to him directly while he was in the program.

Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell said earlier in July that teams were still interested in the three-time 30-goal scorer.

Laine was limited to just 18 games in 2023-24, recording six goals and three assists. He battled injuries before entering the program in January, citing his mental health and well-being.

Injuries have hampered Laine ever since his 2021 trade to Columbus. But he's still managed to be relatively productive on a per-game basis, averaging 65 points per 82 games during his time with the Blue Jackets.

The Winnipeg Jets drafted Laine second overall in 2016. He was the Calder Trophy runner-up in 2017 after scoring 36 goals in 73 games, and the Finn followed up his stellar rookie campaign with a career-high 44 goals in 2017-18 as a 19-year-old.

Laine has two years remaining on his contract with an $8.7-million cap hit.