Asking price for Patrik Laine reportedly drops significantly shocking many

"Waddell is still hopeful it's not too late to find a trade partner for Patrik Laine, who asked the club for a change of scenery after a difficult last season in Columbus. Laine is still in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. While the Jackets can trade him while he's still in the program, neither they nor any other club can speak directly to Laine, and Waddell said all interested parties have asked to speak to Laine before putting together a trade package for him. «Teams keep checking in to see if there's anything new,» Waddell said. «I tell them, �You guys have to be comfortable with (Laine), and I can't help you.' I don't know the player personally. I'm not one to try and trick people either, so (we) made him available to chat (when he's cleared).»

The prime time to trade Laine � the NHL Draft and the start of free agency � have both passed, but Waddell remains hopeful. «There really aren't a lot of free agents out there,» he said. «If (teams) have the (salary) cap (space) today, they'll probably still have it tomorrow. I know there are teams that are still interested.»