Blue Jackets Must Score Big With Laine Contract
One of the biggest decisions in Blue Jackets history looms this summer, a summer which revolves around restricted free agent winger Patrik Laine. For General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, this is a decision that could alter the course of the Blue Jackets moving forward – for better or worse.
After acquiring Laine from the Winnipeg Jets (along with Central Ohio’s own Jack Roslovic), the Blue Jackets were hopeful that they had picked up one of the top snipers in the league. At first, the return on Laine looked bleak, as he and then-head coach John Tortorella struggled to feel each other out. The team struggled for most of the 2020-21 season, and ultimately finished with the fourth worst record in the NHL.
It’s entirely unfair to pin that outcome onto the shoulders of one player, in particular a player who didn’t even begin the season with the team. But, more was expected of Laine, who seemed to disappear for long stretches of time. Concerns continued into the 2021-22 season as Laine struggled out of the gate, but after missing time due to injury and the death of his father Harri, Laine came storming back and gave the franchise a glimpse into the kind of player he can be, finishing with 26 goals and 56 points, in just 56 games played.
For a long-suffering franchise such as the Blue Jackets, these numbers would put him right near the franchise record for points in a season (Artemi Panarin, 87p, 2018-19), which clearly bolsters the case that Laine is a player the CBJ desperately need. So, the team should throw him the keys to the city, as much money and term as they can, right? For me, no, that cannot happen. This is where it’s important to take a step back, remove all emotion, and look at the big picture.
It’s easy to compare every talented player that comes through Columbus to Panarin. Artemi stole the show on a near nightly basis for the Blue Jackets, showcasing elite playmaking skills while also being a responsible two-way player. He drove the offense, especially on the rush, and made decisions that I don’t even think other NHL players saw as options.
Before Panarin, there was Rick Nash, whose jersey now hangs in the rafters. Nash burst onto the scene as the only first overall pick in franchise history, and quite literally wrote the record books in Columbus. Nash was big, physical, had some of the best hands and finishing skills in the game, and was the face of the franchise for almost a decade.
Patrik Laine is not really comparable to neither player. Laine doesn’t have the glowing personality of Nash, or the play driving skills of Panarin. While he checks in at 6-5, 216 pounds, he isn’t likely going to run someone through the end boards with a huge hit. So in these regards, I don’t see Laine as the center piece of a Cup contending team.
With all that said, Patrik is an elite talent in his own way. We all know about his lethal shot. We’ve all seen the flashy dangles and sneaky passes, that often catch other teams off guard. And, it’s noteworthy that he has worked hard to improve his two-way play, which was evident this season even when he was struggling to find the net. So, surely, Laine is an extremely important piece in this team’s future, one that Jarmo should find a way to lock up long-term. But the dollars in this deal are important, especially with rumors of a potential flat cap for the next several seasons. Imagine losing a Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, or any other of the talented young players coming into this system; because of a top-loaded team.
Laine is the kind of player that will need to be surrounded by talent, to be at his most potent. It’s extremely unfair to call him a one trick pony, but his shot is his biggest asset. Skilled players can free up time and space for him, and he is capable of scoring almost at will when he has time and space. Imagine a power play with him not being the only consistently dangerous weapon. Boone Jenner had a fine year as his center, but is it fair to lean on Boone for that role long-term? Giving Laine a legitimate, #1 NHL center will also be a priority as we move along.
Perhaps the most fair comparison to Laine is a less-physical version of Alex Ovechkin. “The Great 8” has been the premier goal scorer in the NHL since bursting into the league in the 2005-06 season, and Laine brings a lot of the same qualities to the table. That said, Ovechkin would not be nearly the same player he has become over the years, without the talented supporting cast in Washington.
I have a hard time seeing Laine’s contract coming in ahead of the one given to Zach Werenski, at least from an AAV perspective. Werenski has become a do-it-all type of defenseman for the Blue Jackets, who plays consistently nearly half of the game.
For all of the reasons mentioned, I think it’s important for Jarmo Kekalainen to hit this contract on the head. I would love to see an 8-year term, under $9.5m AAV … this seems like the kind of contract that would allow the team to lock down one of the top snipers in the world, while also giving them the freedom to improve other areas of the lineup as they look to become more successful.
Assuming a contract at 8 years, $76m, that would leave the club with just over $13m in cap space, with restricted free agents Adam Boqvist, Nick Blankenburg, and Emil Bemstrom being the only notable names needing contracts. Even with these three signing their next deals, Jarmo would seemingly have flexibility to upgrade other areas of the lineup, via trade or free agency.
We all know that the Blue Jackets have a history of having to overpay for top end talent to come to, and stick around Central Ohio. But in this case, there is mutual interest in a long-term relationship. This could be the turning point for this franchise as they look to build towards Stanley Cup contention, but it’s not as simple as throwing truckloads of money at one player. Laine is definitely a part of the future core of this team, but this deal has to make sense for both sides.