Patrik Laine has left the NHLPA assistance program, what will a trade look like?

Washington Capitals

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan has been busy this offseason. The team is attempting to stay competitive while Alexander Ovechkin remains on the roster.

Still, following their first-round exit in four games to the New York Rangers, it became clear that they needed to add more talent to the roster to attempt to return to contention following the franchise's first Stanley Cup win in 2018.

MacLellan has added centers Pierre Luc-Dubois, Andrew Mangapiane, and goaltender Logan Thompson in three separate moves to replace the outgoing Anthony Mantha, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Darcy Kuemper; who were all lost in separate deals over the last year.

Despite adding on Center depth, the Caps could still use another scoring winger to play on the other wing across from Ovechkin with Dubois down the middle, and multiple members of the media are speculating the Capitals might be looking at Laine as that solution.

Laine has molded himself over the past few seasons into more than just the straight goal scorer he became known as during his first few seasons in the league. He's worked to balance out his play with solid playmaking skills and a better eye for passing the puck.

He totaled 138 assists in 174 games as a Blue Jacket over four seasons. He could work well next to a pure goal scorer like Ovechkin in the right system.

Determining what kind of return the Capitals might send back is tricky. They have some cap space to work with, assuming TJ Oshie retires or is put on LTIR, around the $4.5 million range, without making any other moves.

The Capitals also own eight draft picks in the first five rounds of next year's NHL Entry Draft, on top of having an underappreciated prospect corps. Without making any other moves, the Jackets would likely have to retain half of Laine's salary for the final two seasons on his contract or accept a bad contract in return.

Let's say the Capitals ask Columbus to retain half of Laine's remaining salary, for argument's sake. This request would likely add an additional asset or two. If the reports are accurate, Waddell is looking for picks and prospects in return.

I imagine the Capitals would likely send a mix of two third, fourth, or fifth-round picks and a middle-end prospect in their pool. Interesting names in the mix include Ryan Chelsey, Vincent Iorio, and Joaquim Lemay. Any proposal would depend on the handling of the Caps' salary cap situation, however, further speculation is difficult.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are looking to reload following their deep run into the postseason this past year, but have been faced with a high level of roster turnover. And, the departure of General Manager Don Waddell to Columbus.

Gone are Max Comtois, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dylan Coghlan, Brady Skjei, Stefan Noesen, Brett Pesce, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jake Guentzel from last year's roster.

While new GM Eric Tulsky has done a solid job of bringing in new talent following these significant departures, adding Laine to this already-stacked contender could be what both parties need to take the next step.

It's no secret that Martin Necas is working his way out of Carolina, and there's been speculation from day one of Don Waddell's tenure in Columbus that he may look to acquire Necas to add to the forward depth for the Jackets.

A straight up swap of the two players would likely work for both franchises, and I see it as the most likely outcome given their perceived closeness in value. Necas is a relatively young forward who has been a 0.66 PPG player during his career, and I feel that he would gel well in the top six of Columbus' lineup.

Montreal Canadiens

The Habs are a fellow rebuilding Eastern Conference team looking to emerge from the rebuild that followed the franchise's Stanley Cup Finals run in 2021.

The Canadiens have a wealth of talent in young forwards but could use additional scoring in their top six aside skaters, including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Alex Newhook, and former first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovský.

While it's evident that the Habs would not be willing to part with any of their top prospects like Michael Hage or Ivan Demidov, they are notable for possessing nine picks in the first four rounds of the NHL Entry Draft next spring. If Waddell is seriously looking for prospects on top of picks, he may try to look at other skaters like Owen Beck or Sean Farrell in Montreal's deep prospect pool.

Anaheim Ducks

The newly rebranded Ducks are always willing to make a splash during the offseason. They have continued to work themselves out of their long term rebuild and put themselves back into playoff contention.

They have amassed a fortune of young talent that has positioned the Franchise well for the future. Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger are just a few of the names currently on the roster that will be looking to make an impact immediately in the 2024-2025 NHL season.

While Anaheim General Manager Pat Verbeek has done an excellent job mixing veteran presences like Radko Gudas and Frank Vatrano through the Ducks' lineup, Laine would be a solid add for them in their top six.

They have an abundance of cap space that could be utilized to take on the entirety of Laine's deal without the Jackets needing to retain any salary.

While this may come with a smaller return, likely just a mix of fourth or fifth-round picks from the Ducks, Waddell might be satisfied with this kind of move to get Laine's over $8 million contract off the books.

If the Ducks are looking at the Jackets to retain some of the salary, look for Don to ask for a young D-man from the Ducks' deep prospect pool.

Regardless of who ends up being the partner for Laine, I would expect him to be traded quickly this week following the eventual re-signing of Cole Sillinger.