Blue Jackets’ Laine cleared to return from NHLPA player assistance program

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine has been cleared by doctors to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday.

Laine, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered during the 2023-24 season, entered the program on Jan. 28.

“After careful consideration and discussion with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being,” Laine said on social media at the time. “Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself.”

Laine suffered a tumultuous season before entering the program, limited to just six goals and three assists in 18 games before breaking his clavicle in mid-December.

Despite being cleared to return to the Blue Jackets, his status in Columbus is still very much to be determined after reportedly requesting a change of scenery. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports that teams who are interested in acquiring Laine wanted to be able to speak with the player before engaging in trade talks, which was not possible while he was receiving assistance.

New Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell declined to comment on the matter, Portzline further reported.

Laine, 25, was selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets at the 2016 NHL Draft but was traded to Columbus in 2021 as part of the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg. In 480 career regular season games, Laine has recorded 204 goals and 184 assists for 388 points.