When Patrik Laine took the podium to do his first media availability of training camp, one of the first questions was about the trade rumors that followed him all offseason. “I’m here, aren’t I?” said Laine, who wouldn’t really comment on the continued speculation and instead wanted to focus on the upcoming season. That didn’t slow down the rumors though, as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wrote about it in his latest 31 Thoughts column and now David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are still interested.
The Jets are apparently looking for Brett Pesce and Martin Necas in return for the enigmatic sniper, though obviously, trade talks can move in any direction at any time.
Laine, 22, may be inconsistent, but he is also one of the best pure goal scorers in the entire NHL. In 305 career games, he has 138 goals, including a 44-goal sophomore campaign. His current contract, a two-year bridge deal signed in 2019, is due to pay him $7.5MM this season and expires in the summer. He’ll still be a restricted free agent and in line for a huge raise on any sort of long-term deal, something that he appears not to want to sign with Winnipeg.
For what it’s worth, the Hurricanes do have a strong contingent of Finnish players, including their two top forwards Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Laine would seem a perfect fit with those two, who can generate offense at an elite level already. Whether the team would ever be willing to part with enough to make Winnipeg pull the trigger is unclear, given the early reports of what is being discussed.
Pesce, a 26-year-old rock-solid defender is one of the most valuable contracts on the team, given he’s signed through the 2023-24 season at a $4.025MM cap hit. The right-shot doesn’t provide a ton of offensive upside but can be thrown over the boards nearly every second shift to soak up tough defensive matchups on a nightly basis. Necas meanwhile is still waiting for his real breakout after being the 12th overall pick in 2017. The 21-year-old center had 16 goals and 36 points last season but appears to have even more to give as a top-six option. The Jets are obviously not going to take scraps for their star winger, nor should they.
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I wanted my habs to get him but i guess 17 RW is enough
Can we please have Necas, Bean and a number 1 and call it a day?
Jets interested in a young D, Patrick, and a 2nd from Philly?
Not enough for Laine.
Canes fan. No chance they make that deal, mainly because Pesce is a bargain and Necas is on his way up. Laine is a nice player, but the salary makes him less attractive in a trade to the Hurricanes.
Agree fully…don’t see the Canes pulling the trigger on this one.
One of the biggest things the Canes have going for them is the locker room atmosphere. Pesce and Necas both fit in very well. Obviously I don’t know the man, but from what I’ve read and seen I have to wonder if there is a bit too much “me” in Laine’s game. I hope I’m wrong as Laine certainly is skilled and could be a huge impact anywhere.
Jets and Jackets can do a Dubois for Laine deal and call it a day. Everyone can move on.
I hope the Canes dont do it. Hes a FA after this year go after him then if hes needed. They dont have the cap space and an actual starting goalie would probably be more of a benefit right now.
Pesce AND Necas… lol.