Patrik Laine Traded to Montreal Canadiens; Blue Jackets Acquire Defenseman Jordan Harris and Draft Pick
In what has been one of the most talked-about trades of the NHL offseason, Patrik Laine has been traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Montreal Canadiens. The Blue Jackets, in return, have acquired young defenseman Jordan Harris and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell commented on the trade, saying, "We want players that want to be Blue Jackets, and Patrik made it clear that he thought a change of scenery was best for him." The deal is structured to maintain financial flexibility for the Blue Jackets, with Waddell adding, "We were able to acquire a good young player in Jordan Harris while maintaining financial flexibility in this deal which was very important to us. We wish Patrik all the best."
The Blue Jackets did not retain any of Laine's $8.7 million annual salary as part of the transaction, a contract that has two years remaining. This move follows Laine's turbulent tenure with the Blue Jackets ever since joining them just one game into the 2020-21 season.
Laine's career highlights include being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, where he quickly made an impact by netting 80 goals in his first two seasons. However, injuries and other setbacks have hampered his performance in recent years. Laine missed nine games early in the 2022-23 season due to a concussion and three additional games in December of the same season.
Further complicating his stint with Columbus, Laine entered the NHL/NHL Players' Association Player Assistance Program in late January, following some on-ice struggles where he posted six goals and nine points in 18 games. Despite these challenges, Laine managed to achieve consecutive 20-goal seasons in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.
The Blue Jackets concluded the 2023-24 season with 66 points, finishing with the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the fourth fewest points in the NHL. The underwhelming performance triggered a reevaluation of the team's roster and future direction.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens have also had their share of struggles, missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. They finished with 68 points in the 2022-23 season and slightly improved to 76 points in the 2023-24 season. The acquisition of Laine represents a significant move aimed at boosting their fortunes in the coming seasons.
For Laine, this trade represents a fresh start with a storied franchise hoping to return to its former glory. The Canadiens are banking on Laine's offensive talent to complement their current roster and potentially lead them back into playoff contention.
Jordan Harris, the 23-year-old defenseman heading to Columbus, brings with him potential and pedigree. Harris had shown great promise at the University of Massachusetts, and his development will be closely watched by Blue Jackets fans and management alike.
This trade underscores the ongoing efforts by both franchises to rebuild and retool their rosters in pursuit of success. For Columbus, it is an opportunity to acquire young talent and future assets, while Montreal takes a calculated gamble that Laine can return to form and provide the offensive punch they desperately need.
Only time will tell how this trade will pan out for both teams, but it is clear that Patrik Laine's move to Montreal and the acquisition of Jordan Harris mark a significant chapter in the evolving stories of these two NHL franchises.