There is again a buzz around Patrik Laine – a new NHL team has emerged

Patrik Laine is still without a new NHL contract, even though July is already coming to an end. Nevertheless, the Finnish player’s name continues to come up in trade talks, and potential options have increased.

One of the teams mentioned is the New York Rangers. The Athletic reporter Vincent Mercogliano assesses that Laine could fit into the team’s lineup.

– He will likely have to settle for a one-year prove-it deal, and such a contract fits well with the New York Rangers’ operational model. However, GM Chris Drury‘s level of interest remains unclear.

The Rangers acquired Pavel Dorofeyev for their offense during the summer, but the team may still be in need of more finishing power. In that case, Laine could be an option with relatively low risk involved in acquiring him.

Last season was difficult for Laine. An injury limited his playing time to just five games. After the Olympics, he watched both the end of the regular season and the playoffs from the stands as a healthy player.

The modest season has also affected the forward’s market value. For this reason, he is expected to have to accept a one-year prove-it deal, where his salary could increase through performance bonuses.

Discussions surrounding Laine have also mentioned the Minnesota Wild. According to The Athletic reporter Joe Smith, the team is among those that have shown interest in the Finnish player.

Since then, the Wild has strengthened their offense with Maxim Shabanov and Blake Coleman. However, their attributes differ significantly from Laine’s strengths, so the team cannot yet be ruled out of the potential options.