Waddell remains hopeful about Laine trade: Teams 'are still interested'

Though there hasn't been much movement on a potential Patrik Laine trade, new Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell remains hopeful that he'll be able to get something done.

"There really aren't a lot of free agents out there," the executive told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "If (teams) have the (salary) cap (space) today, they'll probably still have it tomorrow. I know there are teams that are still interested."

Reports emerged in mid-June that the Jackets were working with Laine on a trade. The 26-year-old is under contract for two more seasons with an $8.7-million cap hit. Laine has been in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program since January.

He was limited to 18 contests in 2023-24 after battling multiple injuries, including a broken clavicle. Laine was also a healthy scratch in November, which he said was "the most embarrassing thing" to happen to him in his career at the time.

The Finn cited his "mental health and well-being" when he entered the assistance program. The Jackets - under then-GM Jarmo Kekalainen - were apparently willing to listen to offers on Laine before he joined the program.

Teams - including Columbus - can't speak directly to Laine while he's in the program, though he can still be traded. It's a unique situation for Waddell, especially considering he just stepped in as the Jackets' GM in May.

"Teams keep checking in to see if there's anything new," he 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 Blue Jackets acquired Laine from the Jets in January 2021 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg.

Laine hasn't flourished in Columbus, amassing 64 goals and 138 points in 174 games over the past four years. His best statistical seasons came with the Jets: Laine reached the 30-goal mark three times and recorded a career-high 44 tallies in 2017-18.

The Blue Jackets haven't made the playoffs during Laine's tenure.

Winnipeg selected Laine with the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.