Blue Jackets Sign Patrik Laine to Four-Year Contract

Patrik Laine is staying with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 24-year-old restricted free agent agreed to a four-year contract with the Jackets that will pay him $8.7 million per season. The deal makes him the third-highest paid player on the Blue Jackets roster.

In his first full season with Columbus, Laine recorded 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points in 56 games. It marked the first season in his career that he recorded a point per game.

His best campaign in terms of points came in 2017-2018 while with the Winnipeg Jets. He tallied 44 goals and 70 points while playing a full 82 games.

Patrik Laine has re-signed with the Blue Jackets.

Keeping Laine in the fold was important for Columbus. As a young, talented player, Laine is the type of guy that any team in the league would be happy to have. For the Blue Jackets, he helps them take a step forward in a crowded Eastern Conference.

With Johnny Gaudreau now in the mix as well, this is a team that’s starting to feel dangerous. There are several young teams making a push to become playoff contenders in the East, so it’s hard to say for sure that the Jackets are there, but Laine and Gaudreau make them interesting.

At the very least, the Blue Jackets have a clear path forward. They have two superstar forwards under contract for the next four or more seasons, and with players like Zach Werenski locked up long-term as well, there is a solid foundation being laid in Ohio’s capital.

I can’t remember a time when the Blue Jackets had this type of positive long-term outlook. Whether 2022-2023 marks the team’s return to the postseason or not, this roster is poised to get back to the playoffs sooner than later, and Patrik Laine will be a big part of that.

The future is bright in Columbus. With Laine and Gaudreau leading the charge, no team will be able to sleep on the Blue Jackets moving forward.