Adam Lowry Following Elimination Disgruntled forward Patrik Laine has made it clear that he is no longer interested in playing in Columbus. On Wednesday evening, TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun reported that the now 26-year-old has formally asked Blue Jackets management for a trade out of Ohio. LeBrun also reported that Columbus front office staff took Laine's request seriously and have begun turning the wheels on a possible deal. Initially drafted by Winnipeg second overall in 2016 behind Auston Matthews, Laine had many wondering if the Leafs made a mistake not taking the big sniper. Sure, hindsight is 20-20, and Matthews has gone on to have a sensational career with the Maple Leafs, but Laine got the wheels turning rather quickly in Winnipeg. Scoring a career-high 44 goals in 2017-18, Laine helped the Jets to the Western Conference Final, where Winnipeg ultimately lost to the Vegas Golden Knights, but his relaxed and joking demeanour caught the attention of Jets fans - and hockey fans world-wide. His one-timer may not be quite what it was on the Jets' top power play unit, but he still has a cannon for a shot and a big 6-foot-5 body that is willing to carry the puck into the dangerous areas of the ice. Things just haven't worked out for either Laine or Pierre-Luc Dubois - who was the other major piece of the blockbuster Jets/Blue Jackets deal. Neither player has been able to make things work with his new team(s) and both appear to be heading to their third clubs. Jack Roslovic - an add-in in that deal - also wound his way to New York, where he made it to the Eastern Conference Final with the Rangers this year. Laine left the Blue Jackets this spring after another injury-plagued season and has been on the NHL's Player Assistance Program. He is set to make $8.7 million for the next two seasons in Columbus, where he put up just six goals and nine points in 18 games this past year. Laine had 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games in 2022-23. He has never been back to the NHL's postseason since leaving Winnipeg.
