Don Waddell Gives An Update On Patrik Laine On TSN1050 In Toronto

General Manager Don Waddell appeared on TSN1050 in Toronto on Friday to discuss several topics. But the one everyone continues to ask about is the status of Patrik Laine. 

He was asked to give an update on the Finnish winger. Waddell says, "This is a different situation than any that I've really dealt with. I've had players that have requested trades, and sometimes you trade them, sometimes you don't. Obviously, I don't know Patrik, I wasn't here last year. He went into the program 28 games into the year, and he's been very vocal about it, way before I got here, that he does not want to play for the Blue Jackets. There was a lot of things that went on in the locker room and he just doesn't want it."

Waddell goes on to say, " This is different because it's harder to bring him back knowing the situation. But saying that, that might be the option. We're into the summer, he's got a high cap hit for two years. I'm talking to teams every day, I've got two or three teams engaged right now, we'll see where it goes. At the end of the day, like I told Andy Scott, his representation, I can try to do it, but if there's not a deal to be made, he's going to have to come back here to camp and we'll welcome him back and try to make the best out of the situation." 

Waddell was also asked if he thought Patrik Laine would show up for camp. "I can't answer for him whether he shows up or not. Obviously, he makes $8.7 cap, $9.1 cash, so eventually I think he might because that's a lot of money. As far as if he's still a Blue Jacket come training camp, it's our responsibility to try to put him in the best environment. Because a couple of things, one is maybe this trade doesn't happen now, but it can happen at Christmas time. You know he gets back to where he can be as a goal-scorer, all that. Someone might say "Hey you know what, that's a good value, let's go make a deal for him." So there's still a lot that can play out as we sit here today."

He goes on to talk about his offer sheet history and says that the offer sheets he offered while in Carolina were not revenge. So Carolina and Montréal fans can rest a little easier. 

He also comes out and says that no tampering happens in the NHL (with a chuckle).

You can listen to the full interview below. It's a really good interview.

Yes, the info that Don Waddell passed along is more of the same. But there was one thing he said that caught my ear, and that's when he said that "a lot of things that went on in the locker room," in regards to a reason why Laine wants out. To my knowledge, I've not heard anything negative come out publicly about locker room strife with the Blue Jackets in regards to Patrik Laine. 

Could this be one of the reasons Laine wants out? Locker room and teammate issues were the main factors with him leaving Winnipeg in 2021. Laine seemed to be a beloved teammate, so is there something else going on?

What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.

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