Columbus Blue Jackets sign Patrik Laine to four-year, $8.7 million-AAV contract
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Patrik Laine to a four-year contract extension annually worth $8.7 million, according to multiple reports.
Laine, 24, scored 26 goals and 56 points in 56 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2021–22 regular season. He finished third on the team in total points, behind only Jakub Voracek and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Finnish reporter Antti Mäkinen was the first to share the news of Laine’s new deal. The Athletic‘s Aaron Portzline subsequently reported Laine had signed a “multi-year” contract.
Daily Faceoff‘s Frank Seravalli confirmed Laine agreed to terms on a four-year contract carrying an average annual value of $8.7 million.
Patrik Laine’s new deal with #CBJ is 4 years x $8.7 million. Buys one year RFA and three years UFA.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 22, 2022The Winnipeg Jets originally selected Laine with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. The 6’5″, 216-pound winger has scored 176 goals and 327 points in 407 career regular-season games with the Jets and Blue Jackets.
The Jets traded Laine and Jack Roslovic to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois early in the 2020–21 season. During the 2021 off-season, Laine signed a one-year contract to remain in Columbus.
With Laine under contract until 2026, the Blue Jackets now have only two restricted free agents still to sign this off-season: Emil Bemstrom and Trey Fix-Wolansky.