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Blue Jackets looking to add significant help for Patrik Laine this offseason

Published May 7, 2021 at 11:44
BY COLTON PANKIW
According to TSN analyst Darren Dreger, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen will do his best to add a top level centerman to help out Patrik Laine for the 2021-22 season.

Laine, 23, has mostly struggled in his first season with the Blue Jackets since being acquired in a trade from the Winnipeg Jets earlier this year. In 43 games, the Finnish sniper has just 10 goals and 18 points, numbers that over a full season would easily be the worst of his career. However, it appears Kekalainen isn't going to give up on him, and is instead looking to give him somebody to play with. Given how weak their current roster is down the middle, adding a number one center would be a great add for the Blue Jackets if Kekalainen is able to make it happen.

The Blue Jackets have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this season, many due to drama involving head coach John Tortorella and a number of his players. One who has not meshed is Laine, who has been benched on multiple occasions and even spent time on the fourth line. The good news for Laine is that Tortorella is without a contract for next season and given how the team performed this year, it would be a major surprise to see him back. Perhaps he is able to turn things around with a new bench boss next year.


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