NHL Mock Trade: Patrik Laine heading to the Anaheim Ducks

3 months ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

The Columbus Blue Jackets are open to moving Patrik Laine after the Finnish forward asked general manager Don Waddell for a change of scenery earlier this offseason. Laine was recently released from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and continues to recover from shoulder surgery. His availability for training camp in September is unknown at this time. Laine has two seasons left on his contract at $8.7 million and recorded nine points in 18 games last season. Recently, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic suggested the Anaheim Ducks could be a potential destination for Laine, who could excel on a rebuilding team with limited media exposure. NHL Mock Trade: Laine to the Ducks for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and prospect Yegor Sidorov.The Blue Jackets are only moving Laine in a hockey trade and the Ducks are one team who could add his salary without having Columbus retaining any money. Pat Verbeek has over $21 million in cap space and adding Laine to his offense could help push the Ducks into the playoff picture, should he rekindle his old habits.Vaakanainen would give the Blue Jackets a former first-round pick who still has some untapped potential and could eventually develop into a reliable top-four defensemen in Columbus. Sidorov is a 2023 third-round pick and has been lighting up the WHL the past couple of seasons. Sidorov scored 50 goals in 66 games last season for the Saskatoon Blades and is likely the type of high-ceiling prospect Waddell is after in any Laine deal.photo credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports...

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