Don Waddell reveals what he wants for the rights of Patrik Laine
It's no secret to anyone, but barring a major turn of events, Patrik Laine is expected to change teams in the coming weeks and leave Ohio.
Sacrificed by the Jets in a trade that allowed the Manitoba team to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois, Patrik Laine is now demanding a new destination.
According to journalist Aaron Portzline from The Athletic, there are three teams to watch closely in this situation. The Anaheim Ducks and the Carolina Hurricanes are the favorites to acquire Patrik Laine, but the Canadiens should not be ruled out.
GM Don Waddell wants a player in exchange for Patrik Laine
Portzline reports that GM Waddell is verbally asking for an established player who can help his team immediately (not a draft pick) in return for his forward.
This is somewhat contradictory, as Waddell mentioned just a few days ago that he was also looking for draft picks... Maybe a combination of both?
No matter Waddell's demands, Kent Hughes has plenty of assets to structure a win-win trade for both the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets.
With an impressive array of draft picks in the coming years (12 in 2025) and a high-quality prospect pool, Kent Hughes is well-positioned. Without a doubt, the Canadiens have many young defensemen capable of solidifying the Blue Jackets' defense.
A package could include a first-round draft pick, possibly top-5 or top-10 protected, a defenseman (someone like Harris), and likely a big contract such as Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, or Brendan Gallagher.
Especially if the Canadiens take on Laine's $8.7 million per season salary for the next two years, Kent Hughes might be able to offer less to his counterpart. With Carey Price's contract on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR), Kent Hughes can afford to add a substantial contract to the payroll.
Patrik Laine's reputation is far from spotless. He is far from universally praised by executives, experts, journalists, and fans alike.
In his element, he could be one of the best snipers in the NHL. However, his involvement is inconsistent, and he is often described as a one-dimensional forward who struggles defensively.
However, the colorful Simon "Snake" Boisvert disagrees. According to him, Laine can be salvaged and is worth the risk.
- Simon Boisvert
A Patrik Laine playing to his potential could indeed surprise. The Finn has reached the 30-goal mark three times in his career (36, 44, and 30) and could certainly do it again. He has a powerful shot and an imposing frame! His one-timer is a weapon on the power play.
With the right linemates and the organization's confidence, who knows what could happen?
Imagine Patrik Laine playing alongside Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook-it could be worth it!
Before getting too excited, it would be wise to check if the Canadiens are among the 10 teams on his partial no-trade clause. If his desire to leave Columbus is genuine, it's very likely he would agree to waive this clause for a fresh start.
| POLL | ||
Would you accept a trade between Josh Anderson, 2025 1st round pick (top-10 protected) and Jordan Harris for Patrik Laine? | ||
| Yes | 96 | 38.1 % |
| No | 156 | 61.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
