"Come to Toronto, we can fix him": NHL fans in a frenzy as Don Waddell reiterates Patrik Laine's intention to get out of Columbus

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine remains steadfast about his desire to leave the club to get a fresh start elsewhere.

Blue Jackets manager Don Waddell was recently quoted by BR Open Ice, stating:

“He’s been very vocal about it way before I got here that he does not want to play for the Blue Jackets.”

While it’s no secret that Patrik Laine wants out of Columbus, the recent comments set off a storm of fan comments. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting fan reactions related to Waddell’s latest update on Laine.

“Come to Toronto, we can fix him,” one fan opined.

“Trade Trouba for him? Please? I’ll throw in a couple pucks for free,” another fan chimed in.

“Why would anyone what to play for the Blue Jackets?” this fan commented.

However, some fans showed genuine interest in the situation. Here are some choice comments from such fans:

"Poor CBJ fans. All they want is a decent team but nobody wants to stay there," this fan weighed in.

"Hopefully the Habs are one of those three teams," another fan commented.

"Most def Vegas is one of those teams," a fan posted on social media.

It remains to be seen if and when the Blue Jackets can accommodate Patrik Laine’s request. Since arriving in Columbus, Don Waddell has been busy retooling a disappointing Blue Jackets club that failed to make the playoffs last season.

While the club would benefit from having a talented goal scorer like Laine in the lineup, trading Laine would ultimately benefit all sides in the long run.

Patrik Laine may have no choice but to stay in Columbus

Waddell recently appeared on TSN’s OverDrive to address the Patrik Laine situation.

"This is a different situation than any that I've really dealt with,” he said.

The comments are interesting considering Waddell is among the most experienced NHL executives. After a long tenure with the Carolina Hurricanes, Waddell transitioned to a new role in Columbus.

That transition involved inheriting the Laine trade request. Waddell added on the matter:

“I've had players that have requested trades, and sometimes you trade them, sometimes you don't.”

Waddell expanded on his comments:

“This is different because it's harder to bring him back knowing the situation. But saying that, that might be the option. We're into the summer, he's got a high cap hit for two years. I'm talking to teams every day, I've got two or three teams engaged right now, we'll see where it goes."

The lack of uncertainty hangs over the team like a dark raincloud. Still, Waddell is trying to make the best of the situation.

"I can try to do it, but if there's not a deal to be made, he's going to have to come back here to camp, and we'll welcome him back and try to make the best out of the situation," he concluded.

All sides involved would like to resolve the matter sooner rather than later. But it seems that Patrik Laine and the Blue Jackets may have no choice but to stay together for the foreseeable future. Unless something can be arranged with another team, the Blue Jackets should make the best of the situation with Laine in the lineup next fall.