Patrik Laine makes a surprising decision that benefits the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are now very close to the cap

The Athletic's Aaron Portzline has reported on Saturday evening that Laine has elected to forego filing for salary arbitration, which is great news for the Blue Jackets, who currently have just $2.34M in available cap space with 2 RFA's remaining (Laine, along with Emil Bemstrom.

There are a few things to factor in here. The Jackets are reportedly working try try to move winger Gustav Nyquist and the final year of his deal, worth $5.5M. In theory, that would give Columbus enough room to pay Laine's qualifying offer ($7.5M x1). Since the Jackets currently have 24 players signed through next season, they could simply waive someone or send someone down from the NHL roster who is waiver exempt to make the necessary room to re-sign Bemstrom, who is coming off of his ELC and should be relatively inexpensive.

Another possibility here is that the negotiations between Laine and the Blue Jackets have gone better than expected and the two sides could be nearing an extension, which would negate the need for salary arbitration. Either way, the Jackets will need to clear some salary, so a Nyquist deal is still likely. Either way, something to look out for on the Patrik Laine front.