Restricted free agent Patrik Laine is once again stating his holdout from signing a new contract with the Winnipeg Jets isn't all about money. In a new interview with a Finnish media outlet, Laine makes it clear he wants top line minutes along side Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele.
"When you're having contract negotiations, one thing always is who are you playing with. With the merits I have, somewhere else I'd have an opportunity to play with the best players. Everybody who understands hockey knows that," Laine told Finnish sports reporter Pekka Jalonen.
Laine seems to be unhappy with the linemates he's been given over the last three year. The article states he's spent a lot of time with Bryan Little, who has assisted on just 11 of Laine's 110 goals.
"There are top lines and then there is our line. But I play with the guys I'm told to play," Laine added.
Laine is currently in Switzerland training with SC Bern of the National League. He has stated he intends to stay there until his contract dispute is resolved. It's highly unlikely he would play any games with the team as that would be risking injury, which would greatly impact his bargaining position.
It's been rumoured that Winnipeg's last offer to Laine was a bridge contract worth less than $6 million per season.
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