July 26, 2024 2:02 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine was cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Friday.
Laine joined the program on Jan. 28 after a delayed recovery from a fractured collarbone he sustained in a Dec. 14 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said Thursday that the team is considering all options regarding Laine, who previously requested a trade from Columbus. Since Laine last played, Waddell has taken over as general manager and hired Dean Evason as the team’s coach.
“Patrick has made it clear even before all the changes this summer that he wanted a fresh start somewhere,” Waddell told TSN 1050. “Right now, we’re not ruling out any options, including coming back here, because it takes two teams to make a trade and if there’s no trade that makes sense for us, then we’ll just have to face reality.”
“(Laine’s agent) Andy Scott has repeatedly told Laine that we’ve looked at everything, we’re monitoring the situation, we understand Patrick’s feelings, and if we can find the right person, of course we will. But if we can’t, we’ll just have to deal with it.”
Laine, 26, had nine points (six goals, three assists) in 18 games last season.
Laine has recorded 388 points (204 goals, 184 assists) in 480 regular season games with the Winnipeg Jets (2016-21) and Blue Jackets since being selected second overall by the Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft.
