Predators Named Top Fit for Patrik Laine in a Trade

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine are reportedly working on a way to trade the sniper this summer. This brings the Nashville Predators into the mix of possible destinations as the team is in a great spot to add talent and need to this offseason to take the next step.

It was discussed that the Predators are the top team that Laine could wind up playing for based on what makes sense hockey-wise. There are a number of reasons for this.

The Predators have over $26 million to work with this summer and that could mean multiple big moves to elevate the team into Stanley Cup contention status for 2024-25. There is opportunity this offseason to do just that with strong forwards and defensemen available via free agency and on the trade block.

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This Laine situation would be through a trade as the Blue Jackets' winger has two years left at $8.7 million AAV. Even though the Predators have the cap space, it isn't likely that the team will be willing to make the trade without Columbus retaining salary. I would be okay with $1.7 million of retention at the very least to get his cap hit down to $7 million AAV for the two years.

If Laine can remain generally healthy, there is no doubt he will contribute offensively, even if his defense is a little lacking. Frankie Corrado noted that Predators' head coach Andrew Brunette would be the right man to get the most out of a skilled player like Laine if he were to play in Nashville the next two seasons. Brunette was behind the bench for Jonathan Huberdeau's stellar season for the Florida Panthers in 2021-22 and behind the Predators' bench for Gustav Nyquist's career year at 34 years old.

Given the years left on Laine's deal, it is less of a risk to bring him in. He will provide scoring as the 26-year-old has 204 goals in 480 career games. The two seasons prior to 2023-24 saw Laine produce 48 goals and 108 points in 111 games for the Blue Jackets who finished 14th and 30th in the league in goals.

With better players around him and if Laine is able to play 70+ games, there is a very good chance the sniper will reach the 30-goal mark again in his career. In all three seasons he has played that many games, he's scored 36 goals, 44 goals, and 30 goals.

Laine is still young and dynamic when he's healthy and in the lineup. He needs a new environment to succeed in and Nashville could be the right spot for the next two seasons at least. The Predators have 19 draft picks in the first four rounds over the next three years, so cost to acquire him won't be an issue.

It's no certainty the Predators can bring in another top player like Jake Guentzel, Martin Necas, Nikolaj Ehlers, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessult, or others. Nashville has a smaller window to get a whole lot better and win while Roman Josi is still at his peak and it doesn't leave a ton of room to stand idle and not get a game-changer. There are a lot of possibilities for the Predators in the coming weeks and it will be entertaining to say the least.

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