Former New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton, now serving as the executive vice president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens, has been linked in trade rumors to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine.
The Canadiens have been associated with Laine since last season, and interest has grown since Laine was cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program two weeks ago. The former 40-goal scorer had been in the program since January to address mental health issues.
Laine played just 18 games for the Blue Jackets last season, recording six goals and nine points before entering the program on January 28. Initially set to return from a fractured clavicle sustained in December, Laine chose to seek help instead of returning to play. He missed the rest of the season and requested a trade out of Columbus during the offseason.
However, new Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell is seeking a “hockey trade” for Laine, who has two years remaining on his contract with an $8.7 million average annual value (AAV).
According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Waddell is not interested in just draft picks and prospects as part of the return for Laine. He wants a regular lineup player without retaining a significant portion of Laine’s salary. This could be challenging given that most teams have limited salary cap space at this point in the offseason.
In an interview with Brian Hedger of the Columbus Post Dispatch, Waddell acknowledged that retaining some salary might be necessary to facilitate a trade.
“We might end up eating some money. If I wanted to eat half, I could’ve traded him by now, but that’s not my first choice,” said the Blue Jackets general manager.
While the Rangers could be a positional fit for Laine, the financials don’t align at this time. However, there are other teams that might be able to make a Laine trade work.
Former Rangers GM could try to land Patrik Laine for Canadiens
Does Gorton and the Canadiens make sense here?
The Canadiens are aiming to speed up their rebuild, similar to the one Gorton managed with the Rangers for several years. With Montreal looking to add a top-six forward after finishing 26th in the NHL with an average of 2.83 goals per game last season, acquiring a proven scorer like Laine, who has hit 20 goals six times and exceeded 28 goals four times, becomes an attractive option.
This connection between Laine and the Canadiens is why he’s being discussed in NHL trade rumors.
The Canadiens could have traded for Laine earlier, but uncertainty about his return to the ice caused delays. Gorton and his team would likely want to have a conversation with Laine to gauge his mindset before pursuing a trade.
Although absorbing Laine’s full $8.7 million cap hit isn’t ideal, Montreal can manage it once Carey Price and his $10.5 million AAV are placed on LTIR (long-term injured reserve). At 26, Laine could be an intriguing addition to a top-six forward group that includes young talents like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky.
If a deal between Montreal and Columbus is to be made, the Canadiens could offer less if they take on Laine’s entire salary. However, if Columbus is looking for a “hockey deal,” they might not be interested in veterans like Christian Dvorak or Joel Armia. Gorton might have a better chance of landing players like Alex Newhook, Josh Roy, or one of Montreal’s promising young defensemen if Columbus retains some of Laine’s salary.
While the Minnesota Wild have also been rumored as a potential destination for Laine, their cap situation is tight, making it difficult for them to acquire him without some creative maneuvering.
In contrast, the Canadiens have a clearer path to making a trade for the talented but often-injured right wing. Keep an eye on Gorton, who has a reputation for making bold trades, as this situation develops.
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