Major development in the New York Rangers securing former 40 point scorer

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Hunter Bowman
July 13, 2024 (10:55)

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Major development surfaces for the New York Rangers to sign former 40 goal scorer.

The last update on Patrik Laine was he hadn't exited the NHL/NHLPA players assistance program, as of June 30th.

A recent report from Aaron Portzlie of The Athletic, confirms there is still a lot of interest in the Blue Jackets winger and former 40 goal-scorer.

Portzlie also confirmed that teams can indeed trade for Patrik Laine, while he's still in the Player's Assistance Program.

"He is still in the NHL player's assistance program. He can be traded while he is in it, but the teams interested in acquiring him and the Blue Jackets would like to talk to him, but until he is cleared from the program they are unable to speak with him. He is close to being cleared, but until that happens, I don't see a trade occurring," Portzline on Patrik Laine.
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The only thing makes things difficult about any teams signing Laine, is that he hasn't been cleared from the program yet, making it tough for teams to speak to him.

Even with that being said, Laine's current team the Columbus Blue Jackets are not even allowed to speak with him, so unfortunately every team that is interested will have to be patient until he is cleared to return to the National Hockey League.

So, it sounds the New York Rangers can still negotiate with the Blue Jackets to begin the basis of a trade, but nothing has officially been confirmed.