Winnipeg restricted free agent Patrik Laine has arrived in Switzerland and has started training with SC Bern of the National League. Laine is intending to stay with the club until contract negotiations with the Jets come to some sort of resolution.
The team is noting that it is "highly unlikely" that Laine will actually play any games with them, as he would risk injury and potentially ruin contract talks with Winnipeg. The training is to ensure he remains in as good a shape as possible and is ready to go once a new deal is signed.
It appears that the two sides are still a ways apart on an agreement. There are reports that the last offer from the Jets was a bridge contract worth less than $6 million a season. Based on other recent contract announcements, and given Laine's ability to score goals in bunches, it's not surprising that this didn't appeal to him or his agent.
Laine is not the only RFA the Jets need to sign. 22-year-old Kyle Conner is still without a contract. He'e coming off a career year where he scored 34 goals and 66 points. Winnipeg has about $15.5 million in cap space to get both under contract.
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Translation: Patrik Laine is training until further notice #SCBern, due to the unclear contract situation with the
@nhljets. It is unclear how long Patrik Laine will stay in Bern.
