However, finding a trade partner may be more difficult than anticipated. Waddell informed the Columbus Dispatch that only one team had shown interest in Laine. Most organizations are taking a break at this offseason stage and are not actively pursuing trades or signings.
Additionally, Waddell faces another challenge: he is unwilling to retain much of Laine's salary. Laine's contract has two years remaining and a cap hit of $8.7 million, making it a tough sell for potential suitors.
Laine's hefty salary has always been a sticking point for the Blue Jackets. Despite his undeniable talent, Laine hasn't consistently performed at an $8.7 million level since his time with the Winnipeg Jets.
During his stint with the Jets, Laine played 306 games, amassing 140 goals and 250 points, including an impressive 44-goal season in 2017-18 when he was just 19. However, since joining the Blue Jackets, he has appeared in 174 games, scoring 64 goals and 138 points. His decline in production and his struggles to stay healthy makes his sizable contract challenging for the Blue Jackets.
