Laine Gets Offered A Deal...But It's Not What You're Expect- 7/21/22

Remember, don't shoot pucks at the messenger, I have no control over this!  

It was just posted by Aaron Portzline of the Athletic that, and I quote from his Twitter Post: "Thread:  A big couple days for #CBJ Re:  Patrik Laine, who has until 5 p.m." Friday to accept a one-year, $7.5M qualifying offer.  Funny world, isn't it, where the Blue Jackets have made an offer they hope Laine will refuse - at least initially. 1/7"  As you all know I like to take the numbers from a trusted source, but put my own spin on the analysis.  

I think it would be interesting for Laine to accept this offer.  He had a very good season last year, with a 12 game point streak, during his 56 game 2021-22 NHL Season, with a total of 26 goals and 30 assists.  56 points for a player isn't bad at all, but when you put it up against Johnny Gaudreau who the Blue Jackets just signed a week ago exactly, it's less than half his total before the playoffs.  This 115 to 56 comparison of points has made thee Laine situation very interesting.  As I've been saying for a while now, and Aaron Portzline also said in his thread today on Twitter, Laine's injury record isn't clean.  Very sadly he missed some games due to his fathers sudden passing, which no team, fan or blogger would hold against any player.  However, we must remember that when this happened, he was not playing.  Laine missed over 25% of the total season due to two injuries, one in November and another which happened in April and he never returned from.  I want to see Laine and Gaudreau play together as much as any Season Ticket Holder, believe me.  With that being said we also have to look at how well the pieces of this puzzle work for us.  Why?  Think back a couple years to another star player, a goaltender, we still have.  Joonas Korpisalo was at his peek and we kept him as a backup for Elvis Merzlikins.  At the time it was necessary, due to the tragic death of our backup Matiss Kivlenieks.  However, now we have him as a recovering goaltender, post hip surgery, on a 1 year, $1 Million deal.  We couldn't trade him and signing him was better than him walking away.  

Now, this might shock some of you, but I disagree with Portzline.  I think Laine is worth between $8 and $8.5 Million.  Where I disagree with how this deal could work in the Blue Jackets favor.  If by some luck Laine does accept this deal (which I don't because I think he is worth more and Knows he is) we can re-sign him to another deal, no problem.  I don't think he's going to want to leave Columbus and we can get a good, long deal done.  However, if many fans are truly about the business of this franchise and winning a cup, as opposed to being attached to the players, maybe testing Laine on a shorter deal is the way to go.  Maybe we should make sure the magic we think will happen between Laine and Gaudreau actually does?  Maybe we should make sure Laine can play the full season plus playoffs, before we sign another high time and cap space player long term?  I know some may disagree with this, again I have a Laine shirt and I would like to see him stay, not for one year but many.  I'm just pointing out the "elephant in the room" if you will.  I'll be following this very closely though and keeping you up to date tomorrow as to what happens.  Remember, if Laine is given a longer contract, someone has to go.  Further, there are plenty of other signings which need done.  The off-season is far from over, as is the excitement it holds 5th Laine!             

Go CBJ!

Source:  Aaron Portzline Tweet on 7/21/22 Thread 1/7 Only.  

"Thread:  A big couple days for #CBJ Re:  Patrik Laine, who has until 5 p.m." Friday to accept a one-year, $7.5M qualifying offer.  Funny world, isn't it, where the Blue Jackets have made an offer they hope Laine will refuse - at least initially. 1/7"