Laine: 'There's no rush' to sign contract extension

Patrik Laine is not sweating the fact that he remains without a contract extension heading into the 2018-19 season.

The Winnipeg Jets sniper still has a year remaining on his entry-level deal and, as such, is preaching patience.

"It's not something we need to hurry because I still have a contract," Laine said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti "But obviously that's something I want to do at some point and they want to do. But there's no rush.

"I really don't care," Laine said. "There's no rush, really. I can do it next summer or this summer. I don't mind."

While the former second overall pick doesn't appear pressed to sign an extension, he did admit that when the time comes he'd prefer to put pen to paper on a long-term deal.

"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 said. "I want to stay there for sure. That's something I want to do and hopefully, they're thinking the same way."

Given that the 20-year-old has tallied 80 goals in his first two NHL seasons - only Alex Ovechkin has more in that span - it's safe to say the feeling is likely mutual on the Jets' part.

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