Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas is no dummy. He likes to play the odds and find values that others missed. Last summer, he flexed some creative deal-making when he swiped the reigning Norris Trophy winner for a package of players and picks far below market value.
C’mon, regardless of Erik Karlsson’s first season with the Penguins, giving up only a first- and second-round pick for the top defenseman while trading Mikael Granlund and Jeff Petry without spending additional assets was a brilliant stroke. The NHL trade rumors never predicted the comparatively paltry overall value of what the Penguins sent away for Karlsson.
It was a near-perfect trade. In fact, Dubas seemed to hint after the deal that he was prepared to buy out Granlund if a deal wasn’t reached.
Guess what? Dubas has another opportunity to do the same this summer, acquiring top talent while shedding valuable but unwanted assets and a minimal expenditure of future assets. However, this time, it will be the mirror opposite. It won’t be an older player at the top of his game but a younger player who hit the bottom.
Patrik Laine.
The 26-year-old pure sniper right wing has not flourished with the Columbus Blue Jackets. A brave trip through the NHL Players’ Assistance program washed away most of this season, and he scored nine points in 18 games. In parts of four seasons with Columbus, he has just 64 goals in 174 games.
In his first five seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, Laine sprang for 140 goals over 304 games. He can shoot like few in the game and has three 30-plus goal seasons on his resume, including 44 in 2017-18.
It’s been a while since Laine was the top sniper in the NHL, but he has the talent. And it would seem he again has the desire after completing the program. This week, he and his agent discussed a trade out of Columbus for Laine to get a fresh start elsewhere.
Dubas said last week at the NHL Draft Combine that his goal was to urgently stockpile picks and prospects while Sidney Crosby and the Penguins core were still around to mentor the young players. While acquiring Laine might run counter to that ambition, it may not do so destructively, and it may provide the Penguins with an opportunity to again part with superfluous veterans.
Just like the Karlsson deal.
Penguins Trade Fit
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