Canadiens Land Patrik Laine Via Trade With Blue Jackets

Canadiens Land Patrik Laine Via Trade With Blue Jackets

This one isn’t really a secret given the fact that Patrik Laine and the Blue Jackets both mutually agreed to a divorce. It was always about finding the right trade partner. A Laine trade finally went down today and Columbus found a team that would take on his entire $8.7 million cap hit.

Since the Canadiens are taking on the full cap hit, they are also receiving a second round pick along with Laine. Defenseman Jordan Harris is the only piece heading to Columbus in return.

Frank Seravalli over at Daily Faceoff was the first to report the news:

Patrik Laine has been traded to the #Habs.

Details:
To #GoHabsGo: Patrik Laine, 2026 2nd Rd Pick
To #CBJ: D Jordan Harris

First to report: @renlavoietva.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) August 19, 2024

The fact that Columbus isn’t retaining on this deal at all obviously decreased the return. The fact that the Blue Jackets had to give up a second round pick along with Laine to make this happen says everything you need to know. For Montreal, you understand why they’re taking the risk. He’s a great finisher and that caliber of shot is just hard to find.

Laine doesn't have a microstat card from 2023-24, but here's what it looked like in 2022-23.

Huge upside here for the Habs. pic.twitter.com/qmVVp7mumN

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 19, 2024

Harris, 24, on the surface, appears to be an up-and-coming D with potential. The problem is he’s an RFA next year and doesn’t exactly have a ton of raw stats to suggest he should get a big deal. A logical player to lump into a deal like this.

Jordan Harris, acquired by CBJ, is a young two-way puck-moving defenceman who has played effective hockey on Montreal's third pairing. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/TK1OlOoe6x

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 19, 2024

Three Patrik Laine Trade Destinations

I just hope this works out but I’m skeptical it won’t. Are we sure this is the right market for Laine after he’s coming out of the player’s assistance program?

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