Patrik Laine signs quite the unexpected contract!

Patrik Laine did not file for salary arbitration earlier this week and that’s because negotiations with the Columbus Blue Jackets were going well. So well that on Friday, it was reported by team insider Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that Laine and Columbus have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract.

The deal was later confirmed by the Blue Jackets, who posted one of the epic stylist pictures of Laine to celebrate:

Insiders were quick to share the official announcement that Laine has signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract, worth $8.7 million annually. This comes a bit as a surprise ahead of the qualifying offer deadline. It is quite a chunk of change for the team as Cap Friendly indicated prior to the signing that the Blue Jackets had just $2.3 million in projected cap space for 2022-23.

They will need to make room to respect cap limits. 

Laine has played 101 games as a Blue Jacket and has an impressive 36 goals and 77 points, including 26 goals and 56 points in just 56 games in 2021-22.

Before the arrival of Johnny Gaudreau via free agency, Laine was one of the few stars on the Blue Jackets’ roster.
With Gaudreau in the fold now, Laine has the opportunity to join an exciting team in Columbus.

The future is looking brighter and brighter for the Blue Jackets!