"Caps have no money" "Solid offer": NHL fans react to Patrik Laine's rumored trade possibility to Canadiens

The Columbus Blue Jackets have continued to look for suitable trade packages for Patrik Laine after the forward was cleared to return from the NHL's Player Assistance Program last month. At the time, Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell made it clear that the team was planning to find a suitable trade package that would give Laine a fresh start elsewhere.

Waddell was open about the fact that if a deal doesn't materialize, the two sides could be forced to come to terms with the fact that a trade won't happen. Despite that, both sides want to make a deal happen, and as such a trade remains a priority for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On Thursday, a report surfaced from NHL insider Roger Hicks indicating that the Blue Jackets and the Montreal Canadiens are nearing a deal that would send Patrik Laine to the Habs.

According to the report, the Canadiens have upped the stakes, putting together a sizable offer in hopes of landing the former No. 2 overall pick from the 2016 draft. As a result, it seems to be only a matter of time before the two sides come to terms on an agreement and finalize a trade.

The NHL community was quick to react to the news, with fans seemingly divided on whether or not a trade would actually wind up coming to fruition.

"Caps have no money .. CBJ would have to retain the entire salary or Caps trade a player they literally just got which makes no sense, unless it backstrom, they are literally $10m over the cap," one wrote.

"Solid offer?" another asked.

"Habs are pretty much the only team in the hunt that can afford Laine's contract," one fan added.

Other fans expressed optimism surrounding the deal:

"YESSSS," a fan said.

Others, however, remained skeptical:

"Fake lol," one wrote.

Looking at other trade rumors surrounding Patrik Laine

While the latest indications suggest that Patrik Laine could be headed to Montreal, there are several other teams who are also in the mix for the forward. In addition to Montreal, the Carolina Hurricanes are a team that has been listed as a potential landing spot for Laine for two reasons.

One, Don Waddell was the former Carolina GM, which gives him a unique perspective on the Hurricanes' roster. Additionally, there has been quite a bit of trade talk surrounding Martin Necas, which has further amplified potential trade talk surrounding Patrik Laine.

Another potential landing spot for Patrik Laine is Utah given that the franchise is looking to make waves after making the move from Phoenix. Additionally, the team is sitting on a trove of draft picks, and has enough cap space to absorb Laine's cap hit.

While it's unclear where Laine will go, or when a trade could come to fruition, based on the number of teams who have shown an interest in the young skater, and Columbus' willingness to work out a trade, it seems more a question of when a trade comes to fruition rather than a question of if one comes to fruition.

The big question, in addition to where Laine could land, is whether or not the young standout will be able to find some consistency after playing under 60 games for the past four seasons.