Patrik Laine of the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game
Photo credit: The Columbus Dispatch

According to recent reports, it appears that the asking price for Patrik Laine has been leaked, and it is significantly lower than what many experts thought.

Laine is currently in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program, and prior to entering, he had requested a trade. GM Don Waddell has been working the phones over the last few weeks trying to put together the best deal possible for Laine. Teams are unable to speak directly to Laine while he’s in the program, which has slowed the process down a little.

Now comes the time to reveal what the new asking price is. What started off as an established roster player for Laine has now dropped off to a few draft picks and/or prospects. It’s expected that the Blue Jackets will also retain some of Laine’s high salary.

“Waddell is still hopeful it’s not too late to find a trade partner for Patrik Laine, who asked the club for a change of scenery after a difficult last season in Columbus. Laine is still in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. While the Jackets can trade him while he’s still in the program, neither they nor any other club can speak directly to Laine, and Waddell said all interested parties have asked to speak to Laine before putting together a trade package for him. «Teams keep checking in to see if there’s anything new,» Waddell said. «I tell them, ‘You guys have to be comfortable with (Laine), and I can’t help you.’ I don’t know the player personally. I’m not one to try and trick people either, so (we) made him available to chat (when he’s cleared).»

The prime time to trade Laine — the NHL Draft and the start of free agency — have both passed, but Waddell remains hopeful. «There really aren’t a lot of free agents out there,» he said. «If (teams) have the (salary) cap (space) today, they’ll probably still have it tomorrow. I know there are teams that are still interested.»

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Laine has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $8.7 million, so teams will likely not be willing to make the deal unless some salary is retained. Another important factor will be Laine’s mental health, as he has been dealing with personal problems. Hopefully the Player Assistance Program will have helped him overcome that.