Patrik Laine to the Tampa Bay Lightning? Why Florida Could Be His Perfect Fresh Start

Originally written for Tampa Bay Sports Journal.

Patrik Laine to the Tampa Bay Lightning could be an intriguing match as the Finnish winger searches for a fresh start. With Laine already skating in Florida, could Tampa Bay – or the Florida Panthers – offer the opportunity he needs to revive his NHL career?

Could Patrik Laine Find His Next Opportunity in the Sunshine State?

Patrik Laine is spending part of his summer skating in South Florida while his NHL future remains uncertain.

The 28-year-old Finnish winger is still looking for his next contract after an injury-shortened season, and several teams have been mentioned as possible destinations.

But maybe Laine won’t have to travel very far to find his next opportunity. Two teams in the Sunshine State could be intriguing options: the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

A Fresh Start for Laine

There has never been much doubt about Laine’s offensive talent.

Selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, Laine scored 36 goals and 64 points as a rookie. Overall, he has recorded 224 goals and 422 points in 537 NHL games.

His shot remains his biggest weapon. The questions have been about consistency, defensive play, and, more recently, staying healthy. 

Due to injury, Laine appeared in only five games with the Montreal Canadiens last season, recording one assist.

That makes his next decision especially important.

His previous four-year contract was worth $34.8 million. This time around, however, finding the right hockey situation may be more valuable than simply searching for another huge contract.

The Panthers Connection

The Florida Panthers are an obvious possibility.

Laine is already skating in Fort Lauderdale, has a close relationship with the Panthers captain and fellow Finn Sasha Barkov, and previously played for Panthers head coach Paul Maurice in Winnipeg.

He has also spent time this summer skating with NHL players, including Panthers defenseman Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad and former Lightning Mikhail Sergachev. 

There are plenty of familiar faces, but the Cats would have to get creative financially to make a deal work. It is still not confirmed whether Brad Marchand will be fully recovered for the start of a new season. This gives Laine a chance to join the two-time Stanley Cup champions.

But it also brings us to the other NHL team in the state – the Bolts.

Laine to the Tampa Bay Lightning?

The Tampa Bay Lightning could be an extremely interesting fit for Laine.

Tampa Bay has cap flexibility (over $3.2 million for the next season), and from a hockey perspective, there are several ways the Lightning could use him.

The first combination that immediately comes to mind is:

Patrik Laine – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov.

Just imagine Laine finding open space while Kucherov has the puck.

Kucherov’s vision and ability to draw defenders toward him could create exactly the type of opportunities Laine needs to use his biggest weapon – his shot.

Point brings speed, skill, and the ability to attack through the middle. The only question about this potential trio is the defensive outlook. Who’s going to cover them at the back, considering the Lightning’s overall issues? 

In any case, on paper, that could be a dangerous combination.

But there may be another line that makes even more sense.

Hagel – Cirelli – Laine?

Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Patrik Laine

That might be the combination that could really help refresh Laine’s career.

Cirelli and Hagel bring something particularly valuable for a player like Laine: tremendous defensive awareness.

Both can pressure the puck, track back defensively, win battles, and handle difficult matchups. Putting Laine alongside two responsible two-way forwards could give him more freedom to concentrate on what he does best.

Instead of expecting Laine to become a different player at 28, Tampa Bay could build a line to help compensate for some of his defensive weaknesses while maximizing his greatest strength.

Find open ice. Get into a shooting position.

And score goals.

Then think about the power play.

Put Laine’s one-timer into a Tampa Bay setup featuring Kucherov, Point, and Victor Hedman, and suddenly opposing penalty kills have another major shooting threat to worry about.

The hockey fit is certainly intriguing. 

The bigger question is what Laine wants financially.

Maybe Laine Is Listening, Too

There is also a funny personal twist to this story.

While Laine has been skating in Fort Lauderdale, I posted a few reels on social media, showing him on the ice. I did a little unofficial promotion of his hockey services – basically reminding NHL teams and other media that a player with his shot and scoring history is still available.

Apparently, the message reached the right people.

Patrik Laine himself liked a recent reel. And so did his wife.

Of course, an Instagram like doesn’t tell us anything about where Laine will sign. But it was interesting to see both react to a reel centered around his current situation and search for another NHL opportunity.

Maybe the sales pitch isn’t that complicated anyway.

Laine doesn’t need to prove that he can shoot the puck. Everybody in the NHL already knows that.

What he needs to prove is that he can stay healthy, be consistent, and help a team win.

Fit Over Money?

At this point in his career, Laine may need the right opportunity more than he needs another huge contract.

That means being flexible.

A shorter, team-friendly deal with a contender could allow him to get healthy, rediscover his game, and rebuild his value.

Play well. Stay healthy. Score goals.

Then worry about the next big contract.

The Panthers offer Barkov, Maurice, familiarity, and the fact that Laine is already training in South Florida.

The Lightning could offer something completely different: Kucherov and Point as elite offensive partners, or Cirelli and Hagel as two-way linemates who could create the perfect balance around him.

Either way, the Sunshine State could be an ideal place for Patrik Laine to refresh his NHL career.

The rumor mill has linked him to other teams as well, but the most interesting question is right here in Florida.

Panthers or Lightning?

And Patrik, since you saw the reel…

What would you choose?

Patrik Laine is with the Florida Panthers in Fort Lauderdale, while Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point are in Tampa. Photos by Daria Mironova.