Photo Credits: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
There are seven weeks until NHL training camp begins, with many teams still looking to fill holes in their lineups. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, figuring out their top/bottom six wingers needs to be sorted out as restricted free agent Nick Robertson informed the team he will not re-sign with them and has requested a trade.
Meanwhile, Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies look pencilled in to be on the top lines. I’ve mentioned the Maple Leafs signing a forward like James Van Riemsdyk to use for his size and strength, but the Leafs can also look for goal-scoring on the wing.
One player who comes to mind and is looking for a fresh start elsewhere is winger Patrik Laine of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Laine, 26, played in 18 games during the 2023-24 season. He scored six goals and had three assists for nine points. Laine missed most of the regular season with a broken clavicle, followed by entering the player assistance program in January.
On June 12th, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Blue Jackets and Laine were mutually working on a trade. “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 going to work together to try and get that done. He wants a fresh start. It hasn’t been a good time in Columbus,” LeBrun said.
Laine was released from the player assistance program and cleared to return to the NHL/NHLPA on July 29th. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman says Laine is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and his timeline is unclear. Following his release from the assistance program, teams can speak to Laine before engaging in trade talks. Teams, including the Blue Jackets, couldn’t do so while he was in the program.
A trade between the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jackets to acquire Patrik Laine makes sense if it involves Nick Robertson, Calle Järnkrok, Connor Timmins, a draft pick, and potential prospects like Fraser Minten. However, this trade would be complicated as Laine has a cap hit of $8.7 million. With two years left on his contract, the Blue Jackets could retain half of his salary, and there is potential to get a third team involved, but with the players I mentioned in this deal, the salaries could work out.
Laine would be a great addition to the Maple Leafs, especially on the wing with Auston Matthews or John Tavares. He would give Toronto another scoring option on the power play and help out in the playoffs, where the club has needed help putting the puck in the back of the net. In 24 playoff games, Laine has 16 points.
As we saw last season, Toronto had trouble with secondary scoring. Having Laine in the lineup would drastically change that.
The Tampere, Finland native, was drafted second overall in 2016. Laine has become one of the NHL’s best goal-scorers. He has played in 480 career games, scoring 204 goals and 184 assists for 388 points.
That leaves the question should the Leafs take a look at acquiring Laine?
