Just when you think you’ve exhausted all options on the trading block, the surprise of an addition can throw everything else out the window.
This week, that surprise came in the form of the Columbus Blue Jackets winger. Patrick Laine requesting an exchange out of Ohio. Reports from Columbus are that the new GM Don Waddell willpower honor The Finnish sniper’s request.
It’s a surprising name that will suddenly be available this summer. It’s safe to say that many teams will be interested in the 6’5″, 205 lbs. model. shot with the right. The Minnesota Wild would do well to include themselves in that group of teams.
Bill Guerin has has not been shy about your desire to replace Marcos Johansson on the second opposite line Mats Zuccarello. In the second half of the season, the Wild formed a dominant top line of Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Meand Matt Boldy. The only problem was that it was the only line they could count on to score.
If Minnesota is true to its open wishes To compete for a playoff spot next year, adding secondary scoring will be bhttps://hockeywilderness.com/news-rumors/minnesota-wild/the-wild-should-gamble-on-alexander-holtzs-upside-r30055/e primordial. There are some options in free agency. However, as we have pointed out here With everyone turning their attention to the offseason in April, it’s a short pool of talent.
That is why we have highlighted multiple trade candidates over the last month that Minnesota could target instead of a free agent addition. While a trade requires the Wild to part with assets they wouldn’t have in free agency, they have a group of talented prospects. Continuing to recruit players who won’t impact the team for a handful of years doesn’t help convince Kaprizov to sign a long-term deal next summer.
Now could be the time to trade futures for impact players. We have already traveled this path identifying scorers similar as Nikolaj Ehlers, Reilly Smithand Alejandro Holtz. However, none of them have Laine’s advantages or the exact strengths that Wild desperately needs.
Laine is a natural goal scorer. His game has some weaknesses and the six-time scorer of 20 goals fills the net like few others can. Wild fans don’t need anyone to tell them this, but in case you’ve forgotten, Laine used to destroy Minnesota during his days in Winnipeg.
Laine checks almost all the boxes the Wild should be looking for with the current gap in the top six. While he imposes himself physically on the ice, Laine doesn’t play a tough game. It shows in his defense, although fancy statistics say he has improved there over the years. However, Minnesota doesn’t need to focus on adding a two-way player to its forward group.
Their aforementioned top line will always draw the most attention, while the bottom six of their group, when healthy, feature plenty of defensive-minded forwards. As currently constructed, the Wild can afford to add an offensive threat to their second line because of how easy it should be to isolate his minutes.
It’s easy to overlook Laine’s lack of 60-foot game because his strengths are so impactful. He provides a powerful shot that he can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. His quick release and one-shot ability from the right side would be a perfect addition to Minnesota’s top power play.
On the ice, there’s no doubt that Laine should be at the top of the Wild’s target list. However, some off-ice obstacles are why Laine is suddenly available.
First, there is its availability. Health has been an issue for the first two.North Dakota general election. He hasn’t played more than 67 games since the 2019-20 season. And while he has been extremely productive in those limited games (he scored at a clip of 30 goals during his four seasons in Columbus), the sheer number of missed games deflates his value.
Then there are his struggles outside of physical injuries on the ice. Last season, Laine only played in 18 games before. departure the Blue Jackets to seek mental help from the NHL’s Player Assistance program. While no one can blame a player for seeking the help he needs, there is no doubt that the unknown factor of his current status will prevent some teams from pursuing him in the coming weeks.
Finally, there’s his contract, which still has two seasons remaining with an annual cap hit of $8.7 million (and teams shouldn’t ignore his actual salary of $9.1 million). While Columbus could retain a small percentage of that, it’s still a tough number for most teams given the question of how many games the right winger will play each season.
However, none of that should deter the Wild, given the current state of their roster. Laine is only 26 years old. If he returned to his past form as one of the league’s top scorers, they would suddenly have the type of player they don’t possess in their prospect pool. Laine has the potential to make old-time Wild fans feel great. Marian Gabori he’s back.
Columbus will have suitors with much more cap space than the Wild asking for his services. However, Minnesota is among the few teams with playoff hopes that could make that deal work. Money would be tight, but the Blue Jackets have expressed their desire to start competing for a playoff spot again.
While the Wild would certainly need to include futures, they have a player on the trade block at a position the Blue Jackets desperately need. If Columbus is interested in Philip Gustavssonhis $3.75 million cap hit would be enough in exchange for Laine fitting into Minnesota’s salary cap.
Would a trade focused on Gustavsson and futures be enough for the Wild to jump ahead of the asset-rich Chicago Blackhawks or the upstart Utah? “Some things?” Maybe.
Regardless, Guerin should do his best to be as creative as possible when adding Laine. If he really wants to return to the playoffs next season, his free agent options would be small ripples on a pond. Laine is the kind of splash the Wild need to make that leap next year.