Rumour: Patrik Laine to become the face of the Seattle Kraken!

This trade rumour surfaces and gosh, it makes a lot of sense!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 3 years ago
Rumour: Patrik Laine to become the face of the Seattle Kraken!
Zuma Press

We have heard it loud and clear for the past months : it is believed that the Winnipeg Jets and Patrik Laine are poised to part ways, especially since recent speculation mentioned that the top forward would dare to not show up at camp if he’s not dealt this offseason.

This has prompted many rumours and speculations to surface on his case, the latest suggesting that Laine could end up getting trade to the Seattle Kraken. 

Now that’s a new one, we are all ears! 

According to Kevin Wiebe of Sportsnet, the Jets could indeed attempt to move Laine to the Kraken if unable to sign him to a new contract. The 22-year-old winger is set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer and many are already worried about his desire to stay in The Peg. 

Wiebe believes few teams could afford to pay Laine a hefty long-term salary or the type of return the Jets would seek. What’s different for the Kraken is that as the new team enters the league this coming summer, it won’t be encumbered by the salary-cap constraints faced by the other clubs.

And why not build a strong roster around a great player like Laine, who could become the face of the franchise in Seattle? Here is how Wiebe puts it: 

"Kraken GM Ron Francis is a patient individual, though there could be some temptation to bring someone like Laine into the fold to be a star the organization can build around."

While Wiebe cannot predict how contract negotiations will go between Laine and the Jets, the feeling hasn’t been a great one on that front. We all know it feels like there are some unresolved issues between Laine and the Jets, which could lead to a trade. 

And the Kraken surely becomes a great landing spot for the young forward.  Laine has been seeking very adamantly some first-line minutes, he who mentioned more than once his unhappiness with his role amongst the team.

He wouldn’t face that problem in Seattle, now would he? 

Let’s keep an eye on this one and in the meantime, imagine Laine in Kraken’s colours… We bet he'd look good in Seattle. 

In his fourth season in the NHL, Laine recorded 28 goals and a career-high 35 assists for 63 points in 68 games.

Source: Sportsnet