Waddell: Laine 'does not want to play' for Jackets but may be only option
Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell is still trying to trade Patrik Laine, but the executive knows there's a realistic possibility that the forward will have to stay put for the time being.
"This is a different situation than any that I've really dealt with," he said during a recent appearance on TSN's "OverDrive." "I've had players that have requested trades, and sometimes you trade them, sometimes you don't. ... (Laine has) been very vocal about it, way before I got here, that he does not want to play for the Blue Jackets. There was a lot of things that went on in the locker room, and he just doesn't want it.
"This is different because it's harder to bring him back knowing the situation. But saying that, that might be the option. We're into the summer, he's got a high cap hit for two years. I'm talking to teams every day, I've got two or three teams engaged right now, we'll see where it goes."
He added: "I can try to do it, but if there's not a deal to be made, he's going to have to come back here to camp, and we'll welcome him back and try to make the best out of the situation."
Laine has played for the Jackets for four seasons since being traded by the Winnipeg Jets.
The Finn appeared in 18 games in 2023-24 due to injuries. He entered the NHL/NHLPA player-assistance program in January. Reports emerged in mid-June that the Jackets were working with Laine on a trade, but teams couldn't speak to him directly while he was in the program. He was cleared to return from the program in late July.
Laine is still recuperating from shoulder surgery, and his recovery timeline is unclear, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Waddell doesn't appear to be too bothered by the idea of having to wait until the season for the right deal to materialize.
"You know, (if) he gets back to where he can be as a goal-scorer ... someone might say, 'You know what, that's a good value, let's go make a deal for him,'" he said. "So, there's still a lot that can play out."
Laine has two seasons remaining on the four-year pact he signed with Columbus in July 2022. He carries a cap hit of $8.7 million and is due a total of $9.1 million in 2024-25.
Waddell isn't sure if Laine will report to training camp if he's still a Blue Jacket, but he suspects he would "eventually" show up because of his hefty salary.
The Jackets hired Waddell as GM in May.
Laine, 26, was drafted by the Jets second overall in 2016 and hit the 40-goal mark once with Winnipeg.