Laine's future in Winnipeg in doubt after his agents' latest comments

Some interesting news coming out of Winnipeg, Manitoba on Thursday, as TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun has reported that Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine's camp has suggested that a trade might be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Though Laine has been the subject of much trade speculation, dating back to his most recent contract negotiations prior to the 2019-20 season, Laine's agents Mike Liut and Andy Scott remain very clear that the 22-year-old sniper has not requested a trade from the organization, but that it may very well be in the best interest of both sides to explore the possibility.

Laine's angst toward the organization for not providing him with consistent top-line minutes has been well-documented over the past two seasons. He clearly believes that a player with his pedigree and scoring history deserves to play top-line minutes with high-end players, such as Jets number one center, Mark Scheifele.

Unfortunately for Laine, head coach Paul Maurice disagrees. Maurice believes that it's the coach's job to determine how to best utilize his players in order to maximize production throughout the lineup, which is not exactly music to the ears of the Laine camp.

Liut and Scott have approached Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and engaged in discussions about how best to address the situation and, according to LeBrun, the Jets GM will not trade Laine just for the sake of trading him, adding that the trade would also have to make sense for the Jets.

LeBrun closed the segment with a quote from Laine's agent (Scott) which would indicate that there is likely only one outcome in this scenario.

"There is a clear understanding on both sides about where this is probably headed".

Laine is set to enter the final season of his two-year, $13.5M contract ($6.75M AAV), at which point he will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. If Laine makes it to arbitration, he will then be able to take a two-year deal, at the conclusion of which he would enter the free agent market as a UFA, so obviously there is some concern over that picture coming to fruition.

In 305 career NHL games, Laine has racked up a total of138 goals and 247 points (.81 points per game).

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