Could Laine be a good fit for the Capitals, who are looking to bolster their offense?
The Washington Capitals are looking for help on offense, and Patrik Laine is looking for a change as he and the Columbus Blue Jackets reportedly work on a trade.
Per Pierre LeBrun, Laine has requested a trade out of Columbus, citing the need for a fresh start.
Could he and the Capitals be a potential landing spot?
Laine, the second overall pick in 2016, has showcased his goal-scoring prowess over the course of his career and has shown that he has the potential to be a point-per-game star at the highest level.
The Finn, however, has experienced bouts of inconsistency and struggles in recent years, and last season, he played just 18 games amid time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program while remaining vocal about the importance of mental health.
When it comes to whether or not he'd be a fit in the District, there's a lot to consider.
There's no denying Laine's talent. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound winger has a wicked shot and good hockey sense, and he's shown that he can be a 30-goal scorer and a major threat at the highest level. He's only scored under 20 goals on two occasions: last year, and in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign.
Laine would provide the offense with a new look and add another spark to the power play, which needs to continue to trend in the right direction. Laine could also thrive under second-year head coach Spencer Carbery, who puts a lot of emphasis on youth and pace, and Laine could also take away quite a bit from playing alongside Alex Ovechkin.
Then, there's the other side of the argument. While he has proven to be a key contributor on offense, he has work to do when it comes to improving his play at both ends, and his plus/minus has taken a severe hit during his time with the struggling Blue Jackets.
This is also the second time in his still-young career that he's expressed a desire to part ways with his team.
When looking at Laine, there are some similarities to Evgeny Kuznetsov, who also wanted out of D.C. and struggled to produce despite impressive talent. Washington parted ways with Kuznetsov this past season.
That said, could there be some hesitance with regard to the 26-year-old, who carries a cap hit of $8.7 million for the next two years?
At the end of the day, there is a lot to consider, but Laine is still young and has plenty of upside, and a change of scenery may work wonders. While he wouldn't come cheap, D.C. has flexibility to work with, and he's shown that he can be an X-factor and versatile scorer. He just needs the trust and time to make it happen.
