"I got two or three teams engaged right now" - Blue Jackets president provides update on Patrik Laine's imminent exit out of Columbus

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell recently provided an update on Patrik Laine's situation. Laine, who has requested a trade, has been allowed to explore other teams. Waddell confirmed this during an interview on "OverDrive" with Bryan Hayes and Dave Feschuk.

Waddell acknowledged the complexity of Laine's request, saying:

"I've had players request trades before, and sometimes you trade them, sometimes you don't."

Waddell, who joined the Blue Jackets after Laine's request, added:

"He's been very vocal about it, way before I got here, that he does not want to play for the Blue Jackets. I think there's a lot of things that went on in the locker room, and he just doesn't want to be here."

Laine has two years left on his contract with an $8.7 million annual cap hit. This large salary complicates potential trade deals. Waddell noted that while he is in talks with several teams, the high cap hit and the timing make a trade challenging.

"There’s not a lot of movement," Waddell said. "I'm talking to teams every day, I got two or three teams engaged right now."

Waddell also mentioned what would happen if a trade can't be arranged.

"If there's not a deal to be made, he's going to have to come back here to camp," Waddell said.

Late last month, Laine was cleared to return by the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program. He played only 18 games last season and scored six goals and nine points. However, injuries have limited his performance since he joined Columbus in 2020.

Laine's time in Columbus has been challenging, with his goal-scoring declining compared to his earlier years in Winnipeg. In his sophomore NHL season, he scored 70 points for Winnipeg, but his highest points tally with the Blue Jackets is only 56. While Waddell is open to making a trade, he emphasized that it might not happen soon.

Patrik Laine's impressive offseason workout regimen

Patrik Laine is training hard this offseason to attract potential trade interest. His trainer, Dr. Sharif Tabbah, shared a video of Laine doing a single-leg landmine squat with 45-60 kg. Tabbah praised Laine's effort in the gym.

"@patriklaine crushed this! That is not light for this exercise lol."

via Instagram/@doctor_reef

After a break from hockey, Laine's workouts are important to show his fitness. His commitment could impress teams considering trading for him. Laine’s future remains uncertain as the Blue Jackets continue to explore options.