Report: Jets RFA Patrik Laine to skate with Swiss league’s SC Bern

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Winnipeg Jets' Patrik Laine (29) shoots during practice prior to their first round of NHL playoff action against the St. Louis Blues in Winnipeg, Monday, April 8, 2019. (John Woods/CP)

With the Winnipeg Jets‘ training camp underway and no contract resolution in sight, Patrik Laine will reportedly work with a team overseas to prepare for the upcoming NHL season.

The 21-year-old restricted free agent is planning to skate with SC Bern of Switzerland’s National League, which features former Finnish coach Kari Jalonen behind the bench, according to Finnish NHL reporter Sami Hoffrén.

Jalonen told Hoffrén that the Jets sniper won’t play for SC Bern this season and they’re approaching the arrangement week by week.

Laine, the second-overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, is coming off a disappointing third season in the NHL, finishing with 30 goals and 50 points in 82 games. The glut of his goals were scored in November (18), while he had just 12 in the 70 games afterward.

Despite his struggles in 2018-19, the native of Tampere, Finland has scored 110 goals in his first three seasons in the league, a total matched by only 23 other players in the last 40 years, including fellow 2016 draftee Auston Matthews (111).

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