BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 30: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Brandon Carlo #25 after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Columbus Blue Jackets and forward Patrik Laine have agreed to mutually part ways as the team has given the 6-foot-5, 210-pound right wing to seek a trade. Laine, when healthy, is one of the most talented scoring forwards in the National Hockey League. However, the Finnish forward has battled injuries and a stint in the league’s player assistance program recently.
The 25-year-old had entered the NHL and NHLPA’s player assistance program in late January, making him unavailable to the club for some time. Laine left the team just a little more than a month after fracturing his clavicle in mid-December and a setback in his recovery process. Laine played just 18 regular season games with the Blue Jackets during the 2023-24 season, when he scored six goals with three assists and was a minus-10.
During the previous two seasons, Laine was a point-per-game player and has collected at least 60 points in three different seasons. At his age, Laine is still a commodity, and the Boston Bruins need a scoring forward to help take some of the load off of David Pastrnak. The thought of Pastrnak and Laine on the right side on two different lines is tempting. The Bruins should at least inquire about the asking price for such a talented player. Now that the word is out that the Blue Jackets will be dealing their gifted forward, teams should be lining up to make offers,
What would the Bruins have to give up for a player the caliber of Laine? Most likely a top prospect or two and maybe even a roster player. The team would have to decide if Laine is worth some of the risk involved in acquiring the mercurial star, but the talent level is there, and if Laine is happy and healthy, this is a player that can provide elite offense to a team that was lacking in that area in the playoffs this season.
There is a lot to consider when attempting to add someone like Patrik Laine. Does the reward outweigh the risk? The Bruins would be taking a chance that Laine would flourish in a solid system with good players and be energized by the thought of making a Stanley Cup run. With a 10-team No Trade Clause, the Bruins would have to be one of Laine’s choices, and with an $8.7 million price tag for the next two seasons, the risk might be too great.
