“As long as he doesn’t come back to Winnipeg” — NHL fans speculate Patrik Laine’s next destination amid Blue Jackets exit reports

Patrik Laine has reportedly asked for a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, sparking fan speculation about his next team. Laine has two years left on his contract with an annual value of $8.7 million. B/R Open Ice posted about Laine’s trade request on X (formerly Twitter) and questioned:

"With news of Patrik Laine reportedly wanting out of Columbus, where do you think the Blue Jackets' forward will end up? 🤔"

Soon fans began sharing their opinions on where he might go.

"As long as he doesn't come back to Winnipeg, I'll be fine with that." One fan said.

"50% of Winnipeg Wants him back and the other does NOT want him back. I’d love to have him on our second considering our second line projected are Perfetti - Namestnikov - Ehlers… put names on the fourth and have Laine replacing! Thoughts?" a fan opined.

"Laine’s play has drifted off a cliff, so, what with all the baggage surrounding him, he wanting out of Winnipeg and now Columbus, etc., will any team take the risk ? He’s a shadow of the player he was." a fan shared.

The NHL community is now eagerly waiting to see where Laine ends up. Here are some more reactions from X:

"His comments are interesting re the locker room. None of will know the root of the issue - him or someone else. Either way, I wish him well. My bet is on the Habs. I don’t want Anderson back." a fan said.

"As long as it's not Dallas,, I couldn't care less where he goes." another said.

"Can see him coming to Montreal and St. Louis being great for him, but could also see Carey Price being a great support and influence on him to be the player we all know Laine can be." one fan speculated.

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Patrik Laine's situation with the Columbus Blue Jackets

Laine has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team's general manager, Don Waddell, is exploring options but won’t retain half of Laine's salary to facilitate the move.

Laine, recently cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program, only played 18 games last season, scoring six goals and nine points. Injuries have hindered his performance since joining Columbus in 2020. In Winnipeg, he scored 28 or more goals each season, including a career-high 44 goals in 2017-18. Laine has 204 goals and 388 points in 480 career games.

Despite recent struggles, Laine's offseason workouts show his determination to improve, which could attract interest from other teams.