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Laine Given Permission by Blue Jackets GM Waddell to Discuss Potential Trades with Other Teams
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    Laine Given Permission by Blue Jackets GM Waddell to Discuss Potential Trades with Other Teams

    Patrik Laine has permission to speak to other teams as the Columbus Blue Jackets work to facilitate a trade, general manager Don Waddell said in a new interview.

    Speaking with Mark Scheig of The Hockey News, Waddell said he wants to work with Laine on finding a trade but won’t agree to a move unless it benefits the Blue Jackets.

    “I’ve told his representation that we will definitely look at every deal and I’ve given him full permission to talk to teams,” Waddell said. “…just because a player wants to (be) traded, two things have to happen. You have to have a willing partner and you also have to have a deal that we both can accept and agree on. And at this time I don’t have that, so I can’t rule out any possibilities at this point.”

    Laine’s name has been on the trade market for a while, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has previously reported, but those talks were put on hold when Laine entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program on Jan. 28. The 26-year-old has also been dealing with a shoulder injury.

    In the months after Laine entered the program, the Blue Jackets fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and head coach Pascal Vincent and hired Waddell and Dean Evason to take their places.

    Laine was cleared from the program on July 26.

    Waddell told Scheig that he personally has not talked to Laine yet but said Evason has. The three-time 30-goal scorer was limited to just 18 games last season and has two more seasons on his contract with an $8.7 million cap hit.

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    The Columbus Blue Jackets have given defenseman Seth Jones permission to discuss potential trades with other teams, according to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. This news comes after Jones expressed his desire to explore his options and potentially move on from the Blue Jackets.

    Jones, who has been with the Blue Jackets since 2016, is considered one of the top defensemen in the league and has been a key player for Columbus. However, with his contract set to expire after the 2021-2022 season, Jones is looking to secure his long-term future with a team that can offer him a competitive chance at winning a Stanley Cup.

    Kekalainen stated that he respects Jones’ wishes and wants to do what is best for both the player and the team. By allowing Jones to discuss potential trades with other teams, the Blue Jackets are opening up the possibility of receiving valuable assets in return for the star defenseman.

    While it is unclear which teams Jones will be speaking with, there is expected to be significant interest from around the league. Teams in need of a top-tier defenseman will likely be lining up to make their pitch to Jones and his representatives.

    For Blue Jackets fans, this news may come as a disappointment as Jones has been a fan favorite and a key part of the team’s success in recent years. However, it is important to remember that this is a business decision and ultimately, both parties want what is best for their respective futures.

    As the trade discussions progress, it will be interesting to see where Jones ends up and what the Blue Jackets receive in return. In the meantime, fans can only hope that a deal can be reached that benefits both sides and sets them up for success in the future.