Penguins Blog: What Could a Laine Trade Look Like?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have an open spot for a winger in the top-six. Not only does the lineup have an open spot, it has a need for more goals. And that’s why a Patrik Laine trade, no matter how improbable, should be on the table.

The team finished 18th in goals for last season, and any hope to improve will necessarily mean more goals. Certainly, the Penguins need to defend leads better, but goals–power play goals and even strength goals–are the paramount need that remains unsolved.

The NHL free-agent frenzy hasn’t left much meat on the bone. Like piranhas in the Amazon finding dinner, general managers used the raised cap and descended upon July 1 with ferocity. There’s perhaps one free agent left who could help the Penguins lineup, Tyler Johnson, and that’s about all.

At the 2024 NHL Draft, Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas was firm that the team sneaking into the playoffs holds little value to him. He was tacitly writing off this season in favor of building for the future; the language was surprising and undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows among the team.

DUBAS QUOTE

And that’s the first obstacle that makes a Penguins-Laine trade nearly impossible. The Columbus Blue Jackets, per their GM Don Waddell, want future assets in the form of prospects and draft picks.

The Penguins aren’t giving those up at the moment.

Case closed, right? Wrong. Here’s where some investment strategy could pay off handsomely for the Penguins if they’re willing to gamble.

The gamble would be that Laine could have a bounce-back season. He’s surely got the talent. He’s only 26 (which should put him in the Penguins wheelhouse anyway) and a strong season could earn the Penguins a return on their investment.

For example, if Laine is worth a prospect and a second-rounder (that’s pure speculation), and has a good season beside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, now he’s worth much more next summer. Or he’s worth a nice contract extension as a 27-year old who can fill the net.

There are only five teams with enough cap space to absorb Laine’s full $8.7 million cap hit. So, unless the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, or Utah hockey club step to the plate, Waddell will need to be flexible with salary retention and return.

We can also cross a few of those teams off the list. Detroit is saving its pennies to sign Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, a pair of youngsters who have earned healthy deals. Importantly, after signing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit’s top-six is set.

The Calgary Flames are headed for a rebuild–a tear-it-down type.

Unless Utah or San Jose leap forward, the field could be wide open, and that is Dubas’s opportunity. Laine would be a reclamation project, but one with a reasonably good chance of succeeding. Dubas could turn his trade investment into a profit or have a talented player for the long haul.

What will it cost?