Columbus Blue Jackets sniper Patrik Laine accepted his one-year, $7.5-million qualifying offer, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The qualifying offer is based on the player's previous salary. So while Laine's prior annual cap hit was $6.75 million, the total salary in 2020-21 was $7.5 million. His qualifying offer will be $7.5 million again next season.
Laine played just one game with the Winnipeg Jets last year before he and Jack Roslovic were dealt for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick.
The 23-year-old's first season in Columbus didn't go as expected. He recorded just 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 contests, the worst point-per-game mark of his career.
Laine was also benched for reportedly making a disrespectful comment toward then-assistant coach Brad Larsen. Larsen has since been promoted to head coach.
