Blue Jackets GM Provides Update on Patrik Laine's Future in Columbus

It was a season filled with disappointment for the Columbus Blue Jackets and perhaps nobody felt this more than forward Patrik Laine. The Finnish sniper was acquired during the season from Winnipeg but never found his legs with his new team. Regardless, don't expect an offseason trade, Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen confirmed Laine isn't going anywhere for at least two more seasons.

The Blue Jackets have team control on the restricted free-agent and Kekalainen had this to say about Laine's future:

Kekalainen says with two more years of team control, it's "self-explanatory" Patrik Laine will be key part of #CBJ future. As for Laine's season: "I am pretty sure that nobody is more disappointed in Patrik Laine's year than Patrik himself." Expects a bounce back as he's just 23.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) May 10, 2021

Kekalainen says you have to give some young players a "hall pass" if they had a tough year given everything that went on with COVID and protocols. "I think you have to give them a fresh start and a new opportunity to show what they can do in a normal year." #CBJ
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) May 10, 2021

Laine finished the season with 21 points in 45 games in Columbus and was a -29 rating. That's impressive for all the wrong reasons and he was regularly butting heads with then head coach John Tortorella throughout the season. With Torts gone now, Laine is looking forward to a fresh start next season, and the same can be said for fellow new Blue Jacket Max Domi. Torts isn't an easy coach to play for and nobody on Columbus felt this more than those two forwards.

The team will try hard to land a #1 center this offseason and have already been linked to Jack Eichel. While the Sabres disgruntled forward won't be the only option available on the trade market, he's certainly one of the more intriguing names. Keep an eye on Columbus, with the expansion drafts, a will to make moves and a bold GM looking for a new coach, there's lots going on with the Blue Jackets.