By Justin Wiggins -
Just when you think you’ve exhausted all options on the trade block, the surprise of one addition can completely throw everything else out the window.
This week, that surprise came in the form of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine requesting a trade out of Ohio. Reports from Columbus are that new GM Don Waddell will honor the Finnish sniper’s request.
It’s a surprising name to be suddenly available this summer. It’s safe to say many teams will be interested in the 6’5”, 205 lbs. right-handed shot. The Minnesota Wild would be wise to include themselves in that group of teams.
Bill Guerin has not been shy about his wish to replace Marcus Johansson on the second line opposite Mats Zuccarello. In the second half of the season, the Wild formed a dominant top line of Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Matt Boldy. The only problem was that it was the only line they could count on for scoring.
If Minnesota is true to its outspoken wishes to compete for a playoff spot next year, adding secondary scoring is going to bhttps://hockeywilderness.com/news-rumors/minnesota-wild/the-wild-should-gamble-on-alexander-holtzs-upside-r30055/e paramount. There are a few options in free agency. However, as we’ve pointed out here since everybody turned their attention to the offseason in April, it’s a scarce pool of talent.
That’s why we have highlighted multiple trade candidates over the past month that Minnesota could target in lieu of a free-agent addition. While a trade requires the Wild to part with assets they wouldn’t have to in free agency, they have a talented prospect pool. Continuing to draft players who won’t impact the team for a handful of years does not help their case in convincing Kaprizov to sign a long-term deal next summer.
Now might be the time to trade away futures for impact players. We have already gone down this path, identifying scorers such as Nikolaj Ehlers, Reilly Smith, and Alexander Holtz. However, none of them have Laine's upside nor the exact strengths the Wild desperately need.
Laine is a natural goal scorer. His game has a few weaknesses, and the six-time 20-goal scorer fills the net like few others can. Wild fans don’t need someone to tell them this, but just in case you forgot, Laine used to destroy Minnesota during his Winnipeg days.
Laine checks almost every box the Wild should be looking for with the current hole in their top-six. While physically imposing on the ice, Laine doesn’t play a hard-nosed game. It shows in his defense, although the fancy stats say he’s improved there over the years. However, Minnesota doesn’t need to be focused on adding a two-way player to their forward group.
Their aforementioned top line will always garner the most attention, while the bottom six of their group, when healthy, boasts a host 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 insulate their minutes.
It’s easy to overlook Laine’s lack of a 60-foot game because his strengths are so impactful. He brings a powerful shot that can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. His quick release and one-timer ability from the right side would be a perfect addition to Minnesota's top powerplay.
On the ice, there is no question Laine should be at the top of the Wild’s target list. However, some off-ice obstacles are the reason Laine is suddenly available.
First, there is his availability. Health has been an issue for the former 2nd overall pick. He hasn’t played more than 67 games since the 2019-20 season. And while he’s been extremely productive in those limited games (he scored at a 30-goal pace during his four seasons in Columbus), the chunk of games missed deflates his value.
Then there are his struggles outside of physical injury on the ice. Last season, Laine only played in 18 games before leaving the Blue Jackets to seek mental help in the NHL’s Player Assistance program. While nobody can fault a player for seeking the help he needs, there is no question that the unknown factor of his current status will keep some teams away from pursuing him in the coming weeks.
Finally, there is his contract, which still has two seasons remaining at an $8.7 million annual cap hit (and teams shouldn't ignore his actual $9.1 million salary). While Columbus could retain a small percentage of that, it’s still a tough number for most teams to work with, 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 status of their roster. Laine is only 26. Should he return to his past form as one of the best goal-scorers in the league, they suddenly would have the type of player they don't possess in their prospect pool. Laine has the potential to make Wild fans of old feel as though prime Marian Gaborik had returned.
Columbus will have suitors with much more cap space than the Wild calling for his services. However, Minnesota is among the few playoff-hopeful teams that could make such a deal work. The money would be tight, but the Blue Jackets have voiced their desire to start competing for a playoff spot again.
While the Wild would undoubtedly 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 Filip Gustavsson, his $3.75 million cap hit would be enough in return for Laine to fit under Minnesota's salary cap ceiling.
Would a trade centered around Gustavsson and futures be enough for the Wild to vault ahead of the asset-rich Chicago Blackhawks or the new Utah “Somethings?” Perhaps.
Regardless, Guerin should try his hardest to get as creative as possible in adding Laine. If he’s serious about returning to the playoffs next season, his free-agent options would be small ripples in a pond. Laine’s the type of splash the Wild need to make that jump next year.
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