The Patrik Laine drama is an ongoing sage for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and now it seems like the Minnesota Wild are entering the situation. While the Jackets continue searching for a trade partner for their star forward,

Patrik Laine can speak with NHL teams now, but a softened trade market late in the NHL's offseason could delay Blue Jackets' effort to move him.

The flood of NHL offseason activity has slowed to a trickle, and few notable names are still available in either the free-agent or trade markets. However,

Now that Patrik Laine has been discharged from the Player Assistance Program, teams can talk to him and his agent to try to work out a trade. Since the news broke that he wanted a fresh start with another team,

NHL general managers had more money to spend and it has led to a busy offseason. Tracking this summer's transactions.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine has requested a trade from the team but nothing has come to fruition.