Laine downplays agents' reported trade comments: 'I'm here, aren't I?'

Patrik Laine declined Monday to directly address his representatives' reported offseason suggestion that a trade might be best for his client and the Winnipeg Jets.

When asked about the subject, the Finnish forward focused on the present while talking to the assembled media for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign concluded.

"I don't worry about that stuff," Laine said. "Even Wayne Gretzky got traded. People get traded all the time. It's (a) part of the game you need to be aware of. Right now, I'm just worried about working hard here, being the best player I can be, and (helping) these other guys be at their best."

In October, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Laine's agents, Mike Liut and Andy Scott, believed it "probably would be mutually beneficial to both the player and the team if Patrik Laine is traded." LeBrun added that there was "clear communication" between the winger's camp and Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff about the matter.

A few weeks before that, it was reported that the Jets were "serious" about a potential Laine trade.

The 22-year-old collected 28 goals and a career-high 35 assists over 68 games in 2019-20, his fourth NHL season. Winnipeg drafted him second overall in 2016.