Patrik Laine is still sitting in free agency, and the market around him has been quieter than anyone probably expected. But the silence doesn’t mean nobody is looking. At least two teams have kicked the tires on the 28-year-old winger and are weighing whether he’s worth the gamble this season.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said clubs have checked in on Laine more than once, though nobody has been ready to jump. Calgary has explored the idea, but LeBrun said it is waiting to see more from its young players before making a move. The Detroit Red Wings have also discussed Laine internally, although that situation appears to be on hold.
One reason Laine could still appeal is the kind of contract he might be willing to take. LeBrun suggested a performance-based deal where only the base salary would be guaranteed, which would soften the risk for any team interested in adding him.
That sort of setup could make him a low-risk depth addition, and in the right scenario he could even turn into a deadline trade chip for a prospect or a draft pick. Given Laine’s age, it’s a little surprising more teams haven’t already pushed harder.
There may also be a fit issue from Laine’s side. On the FAN Hockey Show on September 28, Elliotte Friedman said Laine has a preference about where he wants to play. Friedman said some of the teams that reached out were outside the area Laine prefers, and Laine felt they weren’t the right fit.
For now, his next stop remains unclear with the season approaching. Michael Bunting signed with the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, which suggests there is still a club out there willing to see a free agent winger as an answer. Darren Dreger reported that the Flyers added Bunting because they needed a “spark,” and maybe it will take another team in a similar spot, dealing with injuries or pressure, to get serious about Laine.
Health has been the biggest issue. Over the last five seasons, Laine has played in just 186 of a possible 410 games. But when he has been available, the production has still been there: an average of 32 goals and 66 points per 82 games.
In Other News...
Red Wings Make Two Changes As Pressure Builds Early
The Red Wings are heading into their home game against Ottawa still searching for that first win, with Dylan Larkin and Marco Kasper expected back in the lineup after the team has already been tinkering with its forward combinations. Alex DeBrincat has been part of those recent line changes, a sign that coach Derek Lalonde is trying to find a spark early before the seasons frustration starts to snowball.
Off the ice, Detroit has also been reshaping the front office in ways that could matter down the road. Kris Draper is stepping into the director of pro scouting job, while Jesse Wallin is set to lead amateur scouting, and the club added Mark Leach from the Maple Leafs to the scouting staff. It is a reminder that while the immediate pressure is about ending the skid, the Red Wings are also making changes with an eye on how the organization evaluates and builds its roster moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Quietly Made A Front Office Change That Could Matter
A quiet front-office shuffle is taking shape in Detroit, with Mark Leach on his way back into the organization after previous stints as an amateur scout for both the Red Wings and the Dallas Stars. The move comes with assistant general manager Kris Draper taking over pro scouting duties, while Leach is set to work alongside head of amateur scouting Jesse Wallin in some capacity connected to the amateur side.
It is also one of the first notable personnel decisions made under interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, which gives the change a little more weight than a standard staffing tweak. In a league where the line between drafting well and building the right support structure can be thin, the Red Wings are clearly adjusting who handles which part of the evaluation process, even if the full ripple effect will take a while to show. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Face A Real Simon Edvinsson Contract Standoff
Simon Edvinssons next contract has become one of the more interesting early tests for Detroits front office, and the gap is real enough to keep the conversation moving. The Red Wings have been working from a long-term framework with one of their most important young defensemen, but the two sides have not landed on the same number, which is exactly the kind of wrinkle that can complicate a deal even when both sides still have time to sort it out.
Edvinssons camp is believed to be pushing for a richer, longer commitment, while the Red Wings are trying to balance upside, age and cap planning as they build around their core. The talks are still open, but the fact that other clubs have taken notice only adds to the pressure, and this one feels like it could linger until Detroit decides how far it is willing to go to lock in a player it clearly values. [Read more 🡒]