Does a Patrik Laine Trade Make Sense for Penguins?
p/c: Jaylynn Nash
Despite, a much more competitive Pittsburgh Penguins team down the stretch this season, they failed to make the playoffs again, for a second year in a row - marking the first time the Pens have missed the playoffs consecutively since the mid-2000’s.
For president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas, it’s been his initiative to making the Penguins younger, and more specifically, better throughout the farm system. That started with Dubas obtaining a few quality prospects, along with Michael Bunting, from the Carolina Hurricanes, as part of the Jake Guentzel trade.
It was reported recently by TSN’s Elliotte Friedman that the Columbus Blue Jackets could look to part ways with Patrik Laine this offseason.
Laine, who was a second overall pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, signed a four-year deal worth $34.8 million with the Jackets, in July of 2022.
This season, Laine was limited to just 18 games, as he suffered a broken clavicle.
While Laine has a 44-goal season on his resume, with 20 of those coming on the Power Play in 2017-18, it’s been a difficult time for him to stay on the ice, in the more recent years. What complicates matters even more is Laine making an AAV of $8.7 million over the next two seasons.
Laine’s current contract also includes a 10-team no trade clause, which certainly would prompt Columbus into retaining a large majority of his remaining money, just to get more teams involved.
Based on the Laine trade rumor speculation, would the Penguins be a possible suitor?
Laine will enter 2024-25 in his age 26 season, so he’s still a young forward. If healthy, he would not only be inserted on Sidney Crosby’s line, but could also give Pittsburgh, who had a historically dreadful Power Play this season, a tremendous, contributor on the man advantage.
I don’t doubt that Dubas would have some level of interest in Laine, but at what price?
Columbus would likely want a young, talented player, who’s ready to play right away, to headline a deal. The new Utah team has Logan Cooley. The 20-year-old and Pittsburgh born Cooley is coming off a terrific, rookie campaign, for the now defunct Arizona Coyotes. With Utah wanting to make a splash, perhaps they could offer Cooley for Laine.
If indeed that’s what the Jackets want to acquire in a Laine trade, then the Penguins don’t seem to have that type of player like Cooley. And I’m not certain Dubas wants to part with any top-tier prospects; being that one of his main goals is to replenish the system. At the very least, the Pens should consider kicking the tires on Laine, however, what offer would make both sides comfortable could be tricky.