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Columbus Blue Jackets Gm Don Waddell provides an important trade update on Patrik Laine

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Maverick Mitchell
August 18, 2024 (10:14)

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Photo credit: Inside the Rink

With the Columbus Blue Jackets conforming that Patrik Laine has requested a trade, GM Don Waddell has opened up on the difficulties he is facing dealing with this unique situation.

It is hard for Waddell due to the fact that it is going to be his first season as the Blue Jackets GM, so not knowing the Laine situation in depth and also not knowing him personally makes him come from an outsider perspective that creates challenges.

This is a different situation than anything I've ever dealt with. I've had players that have requested trades, sometimes you trade them and sometimes you don't. I don't know Patrik, I wasn't here last year... There were things that went on in the locker room... He's been very vocal about it way before I got here that he did not want to play for the Blue Jackets...

This is different because it's harder to bring him back knowing the situation.

Waddell did address the fact that he is very much comfortable bringing Laine back despite his wishes, if he doesn't get an offer he feels is right, he won't deal him, period.

"That might be the option," said Waddell. "Because we're into the summer, he's got a high cap hit ($8.7 million) for two years... I'm talking to teams every day. I've got two or three teams engaged right now, and we'll see where it goes. But at the end of the day, like I told his representation, 'I can try to do it, but if there's not a deal to be made, he's gonna have to come back here to camp and we'll welcome him back and try to make the best of the situation.'"

Laine is a former 40+ goal scorer in the and has yet to produce and translate this kind of talent with the Blue Jackets. in is his short time in Columbus, he has not played a full season in 3 years, but has still managed to be close to a point per game player, he has scored 54 goals and 60 assists in 118 games.

Do you think that Laine Will get dealt before the season starts?

Source: NHL Trade Rumors
Blue Jackets GM Opens Up On Dealing With "Different Situation" Of Patrik Laine

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18 AOUT \| 27 ANSWERS Columbus Blue Jackets Gm Don Waddell provides an important trade update on Patrik Laine Will Patrik Laine be dealt before the season commences?
Yes	21	77.8 %
No	6	22.2 %
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