Top 3 trade destinations for Patrik Laine as he clears NHL Player Assistance Program

On Friday, Patrik Laine was cleared to return from the NHL's Player Assistance Program. While details regarding why he was in the program have remained scarce, there has been plenty of talk regarding the forward's future. Of course, it's also important to note that in addition to being in the NHL Player Assistance Program, Laine is also recovering from shoulder surgery.

Given that he had expressed his desire for a fresh start, the expectation is that the Columbus Blue Jackets and Laine will work to find a suitable trade destination. Of course, there's still a chance that Laine winds up either being bought out by the team if it can't trade him, or staying with the team.

Based on comments from Columbus GM Don Waddell, it sounds unlikely that a buyout will happen, with the team instead working to find a trade for Laine. If a trade doesn't materialize, however, Waddell suggested that the two sides may have to accept that a trade isn't going to happen for the time being.

While in that situation something could come to fruition once the season starts, for now, the team is focused on finding a solution before the start of training camp.

Top three trade destinations for Patrik Laine after clearing NHL's player assistance program

#3: Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have a history of acquiring defensive forwards, which Laine certainly isn't. However, with the loss of Teuvo Teravainen to Chicago, and the loss of Jake Guentzel to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Hurricanes need goal-scorers.

Because of that, Patrik Laine may be a perfect fit. Prior to playing just 18 games last season, Laine logged 56 points with 26 goals over 56 games in 2021/22, and 52 points with 22 goals in 55 games in 2022/23.

#2: Montreal Canadiens

When the news broke that Patrik Laine had been cleared to return from the player assistance program on Friday, a number of fans predicted that he would land with the Canadiens, and for a good reason.

With the Blue Jackets reportedly looking to acquire draft picks and prospects for Laine, it's clear that the Canadiens have exactly the kind of assets the team is looking for. Given that, it seems likely that the Habs are high up on the list of potential teams Laine could land on.

#1: San Jose Sharks

Not only is Patrik Laine in need of a fresh start, but so are the San Jose Sharks. After acquiring Macklin Celebrini and a number of other prospects in the draft, it's clear that the Sharks are in rebuild mode.

Because of that, this could be the perfect landing spot for Laine given that he will have a chance to help mould the new identity of the team. It also certainly helps that the Sharks are in need of goal-scorers, and Laine, when healthy, has shown he can average right around a point per game.