Laine to train with SC Bern in Switzerland

Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine will train with SC Bern of the Swiss league during his contract stalemate, the team's head coach Kari Jalonen told Sami Hoffren of Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat.

Laine is there strictly for training purposes: "He won't play for us this season," Jalonen said.

Jalonen, the former bench boss of the Finnish national team, coached Laine at the 2016 World Championship.

Laine is one of the many restricted free agents around the league without a contract. That list shrunk by one yesterday after Mitch Marner signed his deal, which could provide a ripple effect throughout the NHL.

Laine's countryman and fellow RFA Mikko Rantanen has taken a similar route, skating with Storhamar Dragons of the Norwegian league.

The Jets sniper was inconsistent last year, scoring 18 of his 30 goals during a 12 games stretch in November. He said last month he's "prepared for anything" and will play "somewhere" this season.