TSN: Pierre LeBrun said that there has been some rumors around the league lately that Patrik Laine wouldn’t show up for training camp if he wasn’t traded by then by the Winnipeg Jets. reached out to Laine’s camp for clarification. They deny the speculation and added that he hasn’t asked for a trade.
“Having said that, his agents also made clear that it’s fair to say that given that Laine knows his name has been in trade discussions as we’ve talked about here, and given that his usage in the lineup the last couple of years has been a constant topic of conversation, the fact that he doesn’t get consistent first-line minutes, his agents Mike Liut and Andy Scott do confirm that it probably would be mutually beneficial to both the player and to the team if Patrik Laine is traded and that there is clear communication between them and Kevin Cheveldayoff, the GM of the Winnipeg Jets, about this.
Now I spoke to Kevin Cheveldayoff on this day. And he reiterated that he’s looking at all options when it comes to trade and that Patrik Laine remains a big part of the organization. What I would say, not Cheveldayoff, is that he’s not going to just trade Patrik Laine for the sake of it, that it’s going to have to be something that makes sense for the Winnipeg Jets. But I will say this, as Andy Scott, the agent for Patrik Laine, said to me, there is a clear understanding between both sides about where this is probably headed.”
Murat Ates: Last season:
“Patrik Laine, even strength GAR/60, via Evolving Hockey: 0.201
Blake Wheeler, even strength GAR/60, via Evolving Hockey: 0.200
The expected numbers (and all past seasons) tilt way in Wheeler’s favour but: 1. Time and 2. Wheeler obviously doesn’t shoot like Laine does.”