While it might be a big risk, the Detroit Red Wings should roll the dice and sign unrestricted free agent forward Patrik Laine.
After missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season, Red Wings fans have endured a tough offseason, which, among other things, will more than likely see them lose future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane and veteran captain Dylan Larkin skating with another team.
Kane, who is 27 years old and spent the past three seasons as a Red Wing, is still an Unrestricted Free Agent who, according to reports, won’t be back, while Larkin, who is from Waterford, Michigan, has this summer expressed his demand to be traded.
For a team such as the Red Wings looking to desperately snap that playoff futility streak, it’s going to be difficult if Larkin does end up to leave to make up for the 50 goals, and 124 points which last year was scored between these two players.
Detroit added some toughness and scoring depth this summer with the acquisitions of forwards Keegan Kolesar and Viktor Arvidsson but they still need more offense if they want to challenge for a wildcard spot.
While Laine might have had his past struggles, now is the perfect opportunity to sign the 28 year-old Finn who with 224 goals and 422 points in 537 games has shown that despite his wild inconsistencies can still produce points.
Red Wings Should Sign UFA Forward Patrik Laine
Patrik Laine Can Provide That Offense the Wings Need
Laine, who when selected 2nd overall in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets, was looked upon as a future star, has besides for Winnipeg also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens in what could best be described so far as a polarizing career which has seen his stock drop due mainly to inconsistent play and injuries.
Last year, in his second season with the Habs, Laine played only five games when in late October he needed surgery after suffering a core muscle injury which was said to keep him out for three to four months. In the season’s final month and playoffs, Laine was healthy but for whatever reason didn’t play.
Obviously, this is an important year for Laine to show that he still has the hunger to be an impact NHL player, and the Wings should sign him to a one-year contract which includes an assortment of incentives for scoring a certain amount of points.
Laine Has A Lot To Prove This Season
As already mentioned, Laine is definitely at a crossroads in his NHL career. Upon being drafted by the Jets, Laine played four full seasons where he scored 138 goals and 247 points. Laine’s best season came in his sophomore year when he showed that elite talent by scoring 44 goals and 70 points.
Following that fourth year, Laine went public in demanding a trade by saying that he wants a fresh start. Rumours were that there was friction between Laine and team captain Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele along with coach Paul Maurice.
Eventually Laine was traded on January 23, 2021. Laine got his wish and was involved in a multi-player deal which sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
During what was four seasons playing in Columbus Laine battled consistency and friction head coach John Tortorella who made news by benching the star forward and on some occasions not being afraid to give limited ice time.
Never one to be afraid to speak his mind, Laine once again went public in his demands to be traded only this time it was from the Blue Jackets.
“I feel like we were just doing the same thing year after year,” Laine said. “I was tired of losing and just giving up when it’s December to start focusing on next year. I’m not going to do that. That’s frustrating as a player when you’re trying to win and some people are, you know, not like that.”
Besides inconsistency, Laine also battled numerous injuries which effected his stats as a Blue Jacket.
“I don’t think at that point, any changes that were made (in Columbus) really moved the needle at all for me. I just knew as a person that I needed a new start somewhere else, more so as a person than as a hockey player.”
Laine would on August 19, 2024, get traded to the Canadiens where he would spend two years with his first seeing the Finn score 20 goals along with 33 points in 52 games.
Minnesota Wild Showing Interest
The Minnesota Wild, who last season finished seventh overall with 104 points, believes that a scorer such as Laine could make the difference in them being a serious Stanley Cup contender.
Earlier this summer, the Wild went after former New York Islanders forward Anders Lee who eventually signed with the Utah Mammoth. The Wild, who are looking for more firepower are according to reports interested in signing Laine who is coming off a 4-year contract worth $34.8 million which worked out to a 8.7 cap hit.
As mentioned earlier, Laine will more than likely end up getting a one-year contract loaded with incentives. Despite being injury prone and his bouts with consistencies and twice already demanding to be traded, Laine is still drawing a lot of interest as a UFA forward.
Main Image: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
