Report: Laine, Blue Jackets working on trade

The Columbus Blue Jackets are mutually working with Patrik Laine to trade the 26-year-old forward, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Wednesday's edition of "Insider Trading."

"That's the goal from everyone involved. ... (Laine) would like to move on," LeBrun said. "His agent has had conversations with the Blue Jackets about it, and both sides are gonna work together to try and get that done. He wants a fresh start. Hasn't been a good time in Columbus."

Laine entered the player assistance program on Jan. 28 and remains in the program, LeBrun added.

The Finnish sniper tallied six goals and nine points in 18 games this season. He missed nine contests due to a concussion in October before sustaining a broken clavicle on Dec. 14 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Laine has two years left on his contract with an $8.7-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. He also has a 10-team no-trade list.

The Blue Jackets acquired Laine with Jack Roslovic from the Winnipeg Jets for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick in January 2021.

Laine has accrued 64 goals and 138 points in 174 games over four seasons in Columbus. He's missed 117 contests since 2021.

The 2016 second overall pick burst onto the scene in Winnipeg with three straight 30-goal seasons to commence his career, including a 44-goal campaign as a sophomore. Laine hasn't eclipsed the 30-goal mark since 2018-19.