Report: Jackets will listen to offers for Laine, Provorov
It appears the Columbus Blue Jackets are open for business.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen is willing to listen to trade offers for forward Patrik Laine and defenseman Ivan Provorov, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.
Teams are also very interested in captain Boone Jenner, but the Blue Jackets are highly unlikely to move him, Dreger added.
Laine's season has been riddled by injuries and inconsistent play, as he's been limited to just six goals and three assists in 18 games. The sniping winger also had an unsuccessful stint playing center.
The 2016 No. 2 pick averaged 37 goals per 82 games during the first four seasons of his career with the Winnipeg Jets. Since joining Columbus during the 2020-21 campaign, he's averaged 30 goals per 82 contests but hasn't played more than 56 games a season. The 25-year-old is signed through 2025-26 with an $8.7-million cap hit.
Provorov, meanwhile, was just acquired this offseason from the Philadelphia Flyers as part of a three-way trade involving the Los Angeles Kings. He's recorded 23 points in 46 games for Columbus while logging 22:48 per contest. Provorov has produced strong underlying offensive numbers, but his defensive metrics have been poor.
The 2015 No. 7 pick is under contract through next season with a $4.725-million cap hit. The Kings retained $2.025 million annually as part of the trade.
Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins requested a trade earlier in January.
Forward Jack Roslovic is the only pending unrestricted free agent on the club's roster.
The Jackets entered Thursday sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference for the second consecutive season.