Kings Express Interest in Blue Jackets’ Forward

According to Eklund from the Hockey Buzz, the Los Angeles Kings are one of four teams interested in acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Patrik Laine.

Laine was cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on July 26, 2024, after starting the program on January 28. Since then, it appears that the trade talks have heated up on the Laine front.

The Kings find themselves in a tricky spot; they have the young prospects good enough to acquire Laine, but with their team growing older, would GM Rob Blake be open to parting with them?

Additionally, is Laine going to be the driving force in them getting past the first round? That should be the team’s goal, making it deep into the playoffs, and if he isn’t going to move the needle a ton, why would they want to part with the future of their organization?

The Kings are building a team that has more grit and heart, and while Laine doesn’t play that similar style, in the right situation he can score 40+ goals in the NHL. However, that situation is unlikely to be with the Kings.

The Kings should pass on Laine and look to add more impactful players throughout the lineup rather than just in their top six. Acquiring Laine from the Blue Jackets could be a similar outcome to Blake’s trade for Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets.