Report: Laine, Blue Jackets reach multi-year extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed forward Patrik Laine to a multi-year contract extension, according Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

The move comes hours before the deadline to accept qualifying offers at 5pm ET on Friday.

The 24-year-old appeared in 56 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, where he accrued 26 goals and 56 points.

#CBJ and Patrik Laine have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract. Details to follow.

Laine was drafted second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL Entry draft, and he played there for four seasons before being traded entering his fifth with the club.

He had a strong rookie campaign and carried it over into his second season in the league, when he recorded a career-high 70 points and led the NHL with 20 power-play goals. Injuries have caused problems for Laine in recent seasons, and he has not surpassed 70 games played in a season since the 2018-19 campaign.

Laine is coming off a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Blue Jackets.

The Finland native has 176 goals and 327 points in 407 career NHL games played.