One team likely remains in Patrik Laine sweepstakes

Now that Patrik Laine is out of the NHLPA's Player Assistance Program, the Carolina Hurricanes are closing in on acquiring his services from the Blue Jackets.

The initial rumors had Patrik Laine linked to a bunch of NHL teams. Some of the serious front runners at one point appeared to be the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks. The latest reports state that the majority of these teams have now pulled out of the race, leading one, maybe two teams at most still in the running.

The biggest joke of all were the rumors that had Patrik Laine linked to the Montreal Canadiens, which Sportsnet's Eric Engels referred to as laughable.

Patrik Laine also has a 10-team no-trade list, and with a cap hit of $8.7 million over the next two seasons, it's very possible that the Habs are one of the teams he has no interest in going to, as the pressure playing in Montreal can be unbearable for some players. The likewise can be said about NHL teams not willing to take up such a high salary on their roster, which will likely lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to have to retain a good chunk of Patrik Laine's salary if they hope to get a deal done.

Insider Sammi Silber of The Hockey News mentioned that the Washington Capitals were likely no longer involved in the Patrik Laine sweepstakes due to their cap situation, as they are very close to the limit and wouldn't be able to afford him.

The Carolina Hurricanes are now the absolute front-runners to acquire Patrik Laine. Former GM of the Blue Jackets Don Waddell accidentally leaked some trade information as he was introducing the team's new GM Eric Tulsky.

Based off those comments, it appears that Patrik Laine, who played in only 18 games last season and collected a miserable nine points, could be on his way to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Source: Puck ReporterContender reportedly withdraw from the Patrik Laine trade sweepstakes

Source: HockeyDBPatrik Laine Stats

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