from TSN,

It's safe to say Patrik Laine is not on the trade block ahead of the March 21 deadline.

In an interview with TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sounded off on trade rumours that have surrounded the 23-year-old pending restricted free agent.

“Yeah it bothers me because people make up s---, that’s what bothers me,’’ Kekalainen said. “I understand that sometimes from conversations you have (with teams) some of it may leak out, and a name gets in there, but this is not a case like that. This is just somebody making s--- up from their own speculation of what we might do. They make it up and hope for the headlines and hope for the clicks. I think that’s unethical. And I don’t have any time for it.’’

Laine, who carries a $7.5 million cap hit this season, has 20 goals and 38 points in 35 games this season. Acquired from the Winnipeg Jets a year ago, he has 30 goals and 59 points in 80 games since joining the Blue Jackets.

continued plus more trade talk...