Patrik Laine's contract situation won't deter Blue Jackets from plans ahead of draft weekend

After a bounce-back 2021-22 season, Columbus Blue Jackets pending RFA forward Patrik Laine will be looking for big payday, and hopefully a multi-year contract.

There hasn't been much progress on a new contract for the 24-year-old and Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen doesn't believe it will distract or deter the team from their plans during the upcoming entry draft in Montreal.

The Blue Jackets have until Monday, July 11th to issue a qualifying offer of $7.5 million for one year to retain Laine's RFA rights. The Tampere native is also eligible for salary arbitration this year and if contract talks continue to drag on in the next couple of weeks, there's a real possibility that Laine and his camp will go down that route.

In 56 games this season, Laine put up 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists), 24 penalty minutes and was a minus-seven.

Source: theScore.

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks NHL Department of Player Safety Makes Official Ruling On Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes

2 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Canadian Team Unexpectedly Places 6-Foot-3 Enforcer on the NHL Waiver Wire

2 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Elliotte Friedman Hints at Trade of 30 Million Dollar Defenseman to Canadian Team

5 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

5 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

8 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Terrifying Scene for Carolina Hurricanes Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov as He Blacks Out on the Ice

21 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

22 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Quinn Hughes Ejected: Suspension May be Coming for the Reigning Norris Winner

MORE STORIES