Patrik Laine was supposed to be had in a hockey trade at one point. Now that has changed. So of course, with that hefty contract with a pair of years hanging out there, the Columbus Blue Jackets may shifted their asking price to picks and prospects for the one time 44-goal scorer.

The Blue Jackets are likely to seek draft picks and prospects in a trade for Patrik Laine as opposed to a roster player after their other offseason moves, per @Aportzline pic.twitter.com/ZaBEDu1Zza

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 25, 2024

A couple months ago–advantage Hawks. Loaded up after a busy free agency, there would have to be some maneuvering but that’s hardly a tough ask for Kyle Davidson. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline was on TSN 690 and reported that with everything Columbus took on, they’re now looking for prospects and draft picks.

Worth a call? Maybe–but it’s far more complicated than that.

Patrik Laine Still in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program

Laine entered the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program back in January and remains. This doesn’t hinder a trade but it does limit conversations with him should other teams be interested. But to go further into it, would the Blackhawks be likelier to do a deal now that they have ample pieces to send over?

Portzline indicated that Blue Jackets should be more competitive, saying that “who knows that the return is on that” when it comes to a player who can impact things now or prospects and picks. A trade is going to happen according to Portzline but for exactly what is a bit murkier.

So that return would likely involve some younger players who are on the cusp of being NHL ready, perhaps even a Lukas Reichel but there’s still plenty there to figure out. The financial movement would be a little here and there but hardly an impediment. It’s likely to reason that if the Blackhawks are getting the guy who can put up 30-40 goals a season, freeing up the prospect logjam makes a lot of sense.

He’s a top six forward and would add some firepower to a now improved top six. Taking on that $8.7M AAV though would to me, lower the return, but he did have six goals in 18 games last season, averaging out to 27 if he played a full season.

The Hawks certainly have what it takes to get a deal done. But it’s about as clear as it was a few months ago when the same question was asked with a different price tag attached.