Does it make sense for the NY Islanders to trade for Patrik Laine?

NHL training camp is less than two months away and the NY Islanders have made only two additions to their roster this off-season.

Needing to address the team's goal-scoring scoring woes over the past few seasons, Lou Lamoriello first went out and signed the top European free agent, Maxim Tsyplakov. The 25-year-old Russian spurned about a dozen other organizations, electing to sign with the Islanders for his first foray into the NHL. A 6'3" power forward, Tsyplakov's skillset should transition well to the North American game, but it's never easy to predict with European free agents.

The Islanders also signed Anthony Duclair to a 4-year deal, as he's expected to bring another element of speed and scoring to the Islanders' top-6.

However, the Islanders are still looking for that top-line, scoring winger to play alongside Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat.

Nikolaj Ehlers was a name often mentioned as a player Lamoriello could look to acquire, but all has been quiet on that front recently.

Another name that has come to the forefront over the past few weeks is Patrick Laine of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Last week, Laine was released from the NHL/NLHPA Player Assistance Program after entering in January. While in the program, he was unable to speak with Blue Jackets or other organizations regarding a trade - something he's made known he's interested in.

There have been numerous teams reportedly interested in acquiring Laine, with the Montreal Canadiens seemingly at the head of the rumor mill.

“Patrik’s made it clear that, even before all the changes this summer, he would like a fresh start someplace,” Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell told First Up on TSN 1050 last Thursday. “We will look at it when the time comes – which hopefully is very soon – all the options. Now, I can’t rule out any options, even returning here because it takes two teams to make a trade and if there’s not a trade that makes any sense to us, then we have to just deal with what reality is.”