With the 2023-24 season officially winding down and the Stanley Cup set to be awarded in the coming days, the other 30 NHL teams have entered the offseason with a focus on improving for the 2024-25 season.
Already, significant transactions have begun to surface. For some time now, it has been confirmed that star forward Patrik Laine has formally requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets to seek a fresh start with a new organization. The team's management has agreed to facilitate his move during the summer.
As he is soon to exit the player assistance program with medical approval, his career will continue under different skies.
According to rumors, several teams have already contacted GM Don Waddell to express their interest. It is widely assumed that GM Kent Hughes, who is actively seeking to bolster the Canadiens' offense for the upcoming season, is among those who have reached out to Columbus. However, according to journalist and insider Elliotte Friedman on his recent "32 Thoughts" podcast on Sportsnet, the Seattle Kraken should be closely monitored, as they are reportedly aggressive in pursuing Laine and could be considered the frontrunners at this time.
This information aligns well, given that GM Ron Francis has been actively seeking offensive talent for some time. Thus, their interest in the enigmatic sniper makes sense.
