NHL Rumors: 5 teams that could trade for Patrik Laine

If the Winnipeg Jets really entertain trading Patrik Laine this offseason, these 5 teams could be a match.

As teams get eliminated from the NHL playoffs, speculation on the future comes and the Winnipeg Jets are no different. In concert with his “Trade Bait” board last week, Frank Seravalli of TSN reported Jets winger Patrik Laine is expected to be in play this offseason.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic added that Laine is not being shopped, and the odds he is dealt are low. But the Jets need help on the blue line and at center, particularly on the back line after losing Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers in quick succession. Laine would certainly fetch a big return.

After scoring 36 and 44 goals his first two seasons, Laine had his worst season in 2018-19 (50 points in 82 games, -24 plus/minus). He rebounded this year, with 63 points (28 goals, 35 assists) in 68 games and a +8 rating as he seemed to offer better effort defensively.

Laine will never be great two-way forward, and beyond own-zone exits with the puck there are analytics that will tell you he is not a particularly good driver of offense for his team.

But Laine is a rare breed of goal scorer, with a shot at a rare career mark if he maintains close to his current pace, and he’s just 22 years old (23 on April 19, 2021).

Almost exactly a year ago, Laine fueled trade rumors by expressing frustration with playing on Winnipeg’s second line. The two-year bridge deal he signed in 2019 expires after the 2020-21 season, at which point he’ll be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent. A $6.75 million cap hit and a $7.5 million salary next season might be a thing for some teams who might ordinarily have interest.

If Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is open for big business this offseason, and taking offers for Laine, these five teams could make a bold move for the young Finnish winger.

5 teams who could make a trade offer for Patrik Laine

5. Calgary Flames

Calgary won the Pacific Division in 2018-19, spurred by an offense that tied for second-best in the league in goals per game (3.52). This year, with mostly the same players but an early coaching change after Bill Peters resigned in November, they fell to 20th in the league in scoring (2.91 goals per game). Another playoff letdown has brought trade speculation around star left winger Johnny Gaudreau, but the depth on the right wing after Elias Lindholm leaves something to be desired.

Center Sean Monahan was a poster boy for Calgary’s scoring drop-off this year. After posting 82 points over 78 games in 2018-19, he tallied 48 points in 70 games this year. He’s also young (26 on Oct. 12), with a modified no-trade clause that kicks in for 2020-21. Two-way center Mikael Backlund has a no-trade clause with a list of 10 teams to which he’d accept a deal. Monahan has cap hits of $6.375 million for the next three seasons, while Backlund has cap hits of $5.35 million through 2022-23.

So the money side could work nicely for Calgary to get Laine, the Jets would get a center in Monahan or Backlund, and the Flames would not be committed to Laine for as long right off the bat (though a contract extension would be inevitable).