What's Next For Patrik Laine?

What's Next For Patrik Laine?

When news broke in June that Patrik Laine wanted out of Columbus, speculation started almost immediately about where he would end up. With no team able to talk to him, everything that's been talked about is pure speculation. 

Let's look at everything we've heard about Laine since Don Waddell was hired as GM. 

GM Don Waddell mentioned about a week before it came out that he wanted out that Laine had shoulder surgery.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that Patrik Laine wants out of Columbus

Don Waddell mentioned to Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch that he hadn't talked to Patrik Laine since he had been hired. 

Elliotte Friedman said on his podcast that the Jackets knew when Jarmo Kekäläinen was still the GM he wanted out of Columbus. Could Jarmo Kekäläinen have pulled off a trade before Laine left for the Player Assistance Program?

We got in on the action and talked about Laine going to Utah to help jump-start the new team in Salt Lake City

Both national media and local media from other teams started putting out their mock trades for Patrik Laine. 

There were actually some signs pointing to this Laine situation during the 23-24 season. Where there's smoke, there's fire, but these were just rumors. 

Patrik Laine was just discharged from the NHL Player Assistance Program, and people just want to make sure he is ok because most care about Laine the person.

As a player, he went through a very tough year. From taking a dirty hit at the start of last season to breaking his collarbone, which ended up being his last game for Columbus, we can't imagine how tough that had to be on him. 

And then just a few weeks after going into the program, he had to deal with being mocked on a podcast about wanting to commit suicide. He handled it with class but hasn't really been heard from again, aside from Instagram posts and stories. 

There is always the possibility that Laine will return to Columbus. Don Waddell will have to work hard to get a deal done for the winger, but it's still possible. There are a few teams who could make it work.

Stay tuned for more info on Patrik Laine. 

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