When it comes to having a top winger in their lineups, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets are in somewhat comparable circumstances.
With head coach Craig Berube leading them into a new era, the Leafs may make Mitch Marner available for trade. The Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine are trying to find a new team for the dissatisfied forward. Might that result in a Leafs-Blue Jackets trade? According to Karine Hains of The Hockey Writers, who wrote a post on June 13, moving Marner wouldn’t be the best-case situation in her opinion.
I’ll just say this for those who think trading Mitch Marner for Laine makes sense: if you’re going to trade a dollar for an older one, you might as well retain the one you already have, Hains wrote. “Moreover, Marner ought to be employed to tackle the problems ailing the team, rather than making a decision that will, at most, see the Maple Leafs stay the same but not get any better.”
According to Hains, the Leafs’ talent would not become any better if they traded Marner for Laine. She thinks Toronto would gain far more by making an effort to sign a player who actually addresses a need. She would rather have a front land with some “grit” up front. Brad Treliving would be gravely mistaken to use Marner in a needless trade, but utilizing him to gain grit up front, stability on defense, or a true number-one goaltender may be acceptable alternatives, according to Hains. “Instead of purchasing the newest item in stock, when you go shopping, you should buy what you need.”
How Did Marner & Laine Become Associated With This Situation?
Laine was selected by the Winnipeg Jets with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, one pick behind Auston Matthews, who is currently the franchise player for the Leafs. Prior to the 2024–25 season, Laine and the Blue Jackets have decided to search for trading partners, according to a June 12 report from Pierre Lebrun of TSN.
Marner for Laine Would Be a Risky Trade for the Leafs
Laine’s $34.8 million contract, which has a $8.7 million cap hit, has two years left on it. With the Winnipeg Jets, he had a great debut year, earning 64 points, and in his second season, he set a career high with 70 points.
Unfortunately, Laine’s injuries and other problems caused his performance to suffer. Since joining the Blue Jackets in 2021, Laine has played in 174 games, scoring 64 goals and totaling 138 points. However, he has missed 117 games because of injury. Although Laine has undeniable promise, Hains stated that the Leafs should proceed cautiously with his acquisition because to his patchy performance and injury history.
Before enrolling in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in January 2024, Laine participated in just 18 games during the 2023–2024 season. After that, he did not play any more. Laine has previously displayed really high-level flashes. Maybe he just needs to go away from his current surroundings and be with better colleagues. Hains views this as a dangerous transaction, though, given Laine’s history of injuries and inconsistent play.
