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RFA Patrik Laine : What to do? |
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Patrik Laine is a Finnish winger that is currently a restricted free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Finnish native stands at over 6 feet 5 inches tall at the age of 24, hailing from the city of Tampere, which is half of the home to the 2022 IIHF World Hockey Championship. The Finn completed his first full season with the Blue Jackets in the 2021-2022 season, and we will cover how he is in the dilemma he is in now.
Laine had a meteoric rise in the draft rankings in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, putting him up in the discussion of the Top Three with fellow countryman Jesse Puljujarvi and American forward Auston Matthews, even sparking Laine and Matthews number 1 debate.
The 2016 lottery came and went, with the top three teams being the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Columbus Blue Jackets. The highly anticipated top 3 would be selected in the top 4, however.
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected their greatest goal scorer in their franchise’s history in the Arizona boy— Auston Matthews.
The Winnipeg Jets would rekindle their “Finnish Flash” glory with the selection of Patrik Laine.
The Columbus Blue Jackets shocked the draft floor with Pierre-Luc Dubois coming in third out of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
The Edmonton Oilers grabbed the third ranked Jesse Puljujarvi fourth.
Laine spent four seasons with the Jets, enjoying rookie and postseason success as highlights to his career. The goal scorer racked up 36, 44, 30, and 28 goal seasons in his time in Manitoba.
Patrik Laine also enjoyed a playoff run with the Winnipeg Jets, where they made it to Western Conference Finals, though falling short to the Vegas Golden Knights.
After tough negotiations on less goal production, the rumors began to swirl about his future in Winnipeg; regarding time on ice, chemistry, and money/years. There were teams in both conferences showing interest: the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Admits rising tensions in Columbus and Winnipeg, the two teams made themselves a deal in the first weeks of the shortened 2021 COVID season. The trade involved Patrik Laine and forward Jack Roslovic leaving Winnipeg to join Columbus; meanwhile, Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 3rd round pick move to Manitoba.
In his CBJ career, the Finnish winger had 36 goals and 41 assists in 101 games for a 0.76 points per game average in his tenure. At $7.5M, he is the highest paying pending restricted free agent for this upcoming summer.
Laine is 3rd in points from his draft class, only behind Auston Matthews (TOR) and Matthew Tkachuk (CGY) in points; 2nd in goals, only behind Matthews; and 4th in assists, only trailing Matthews, Tkachuk, and Clayton Keller (ARI).
Since joining the NHL, Laine is 52nd in point scoring with 327 points in 407 career games. Laine is 14th in goals with 176 goals. He is tied at 116th in assists with Alex Wennberg (SEA) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (VAN) at 151.
Per Quant Hockey, his stats are most recent comparisons to Sebastian Aho (CAR), Teemu Selanne (WPG/ANA/COL/SJS), and Auston Matthews.
Laine was 1 of 44 players at exactly one point per game or better in the 2021-22 season. His production and age have him lining up for a good pay raise, given his potential to qualify, he could make a minimum of $8.25M next season during the 22-23 season on a one year deal. His $7.5M has him in the same income position as Ryan O’Reilly (STL), Vladimir Tarasenko (STL), Aaron Ekblad (FLA), and Morgan Reilly (TOR).
If he accepts the qualifying offer, he matches Voracek at highest paying forward being each at $8.25M. It’ll make them tied for second highest paid player being Zach Werenski in the franchise. Laine will go the whole season at the age of 24, unless they make the playoffs.
If you’re the general manager, where do you start with Laine, do you go to arbitration, or trade him?
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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