Patrik Laine in 'no rush' to hammer out new deal with Winnipeg Jets
'I want to stay there for sure ... hopefully they're thinking the same way,' sniper says
Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine isn't concerned about his contract as he enters the final year of his entry-level deal.
"It's not something we need to hurry because I still have a contract," Laine told reporters Thursday during the NHL's European player media tour.
"But obviously that's something I want to do at some point and they want to do. But there's no rush."
Laine, 20, said he and the Jets have had no major discussions on a new deal and that he is fine waiting until after next season to work something out.
"I really don't care," he said. "There's no rush, really. I can do it next summer or this summer. I don't mind.
"It's always easier if it's long term so you don't have to think about doing a new contract for a while, and I'm happy where I'm at," Laine added.
"I want to stay there for sure. That's something I want to do, and hopefully they're thinking the same way."
Laine carries a salary-cap hit of $925,000 this season before potentially becoming a restricted free agent.
The Finland native was second in the league with 44 goals and added 26 assists in 82 games last season. He contributed five goals and seven assists in 17 playoff games before the Jets were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
Laine, the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, had 36 goals and 28 assists in 73 games during his rookie season.