According to multiple reports, Patrik Laine has officially been cleared from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program by its doctors.
The news comes in the middle of a trade request from Laine that still stands active since last June. He is also recovering from clavicle/shoulder surgery that cut his 2024 season short in December. He entered the program five weeks after he sustained the injury, focusing on his mental health.
Laine will re-enter the active roster on the Blue Jackets, where he will be expected to report to training camp in September. However, because of the trade request, new general manager Don Waddell is upfront about the interest in Laine form multiple teams. Now that he is cleared, teams can now speak to Laine regarding his interest in the teams, the current state of his health, and expectations for him.
Implications Moving Forward
Trade talks didn’t materialize, as it was widely reported teams wanted to speak with him before acquiring him, which was not allowed before he was cleared. With him cleared, trade talks can commence now. Among interested teams include the Kraken, which Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman named a team to watch. Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic also reported the Wild are another team to watch in preliminary discussions.
Injury concerns still linger around, which may force Waddell to retain a portion of Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit in a trade so that it appeals for both sides on the financial aspects. Said injuries limited Laine to just 18 games last season, even with him averaging around a point per game in the two preceding years. When he’s healthy, he’s a top line winger, but he hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Laine is under contract for two more years, and has a 10-team no-trade list with him. Any team that is wanting to trade for him is likely going to be asked for draft picks or prospects to complete such a deal. Waddell also expressed that Laine wanted a “fresh start” elsewhere, though he didn’t commit to a trade if it wasn’t in the best interests of Columbus to move him.
Trade discussions aside, it’s still great news to hear that Laine has been cleared to return to action from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. We at Shady Sports Network wish him the best as he continues his journey in the NHL.
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