The Penguins pulled the biggest trade of the summer last season fairly late in the cycle with the early August acquisition of Erik Karlsson. 2024’s big late summer target is now officially open for business with the news that Columbus forward Patrik Laine has exited the NHLPA’s Player Assistance program and is available to talk to NHL teams about his future.
Patrik Laine has been officially cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. pic.twitter.com/cWt6wj5hdC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 26, 2024
Another wrinkle in the mix is that Laine is recovering from shoulder surgery.