Canadiens Acquire Patrik Laine from Blue Jackets

The Canadiens have made a big move by bringing in forward Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Along with Laine, Montreal also received a second-round pick for the 2026 NHL Draft, giving up defenseman Jordan Harris in return.

Interestingly, the Canadiens are taking on Laine’s full contract, which still has two years left at $8.7 million per season. Some might think that’s a small price for a player known for scoring, but the situation with Laine is pretty complicated.

There’s been a lot of buzz about how things weren’t going well between Laine and the Blue Jackets. The team’s general manager, Don Waddell, mentioned in a statement that they prefer players who want to be part of the organization. It was clear that Laine felt a change of scenery was necessary.

At just 26 years old, Laine has faced numerous health challenges over the last four seasons, missing a total of 127 games. Last January, he sought help through the NHL and NHL Players’ Association’s assistance program, revealing struggles with mental health. This summer, he even launched an online mental health support program with his wife.

On the ice, things had strained before he stepped away, so it seemed inevitable he would be moving on from Columbus. With such a hefty salary, finding a trade partner was tricky, and Laine and his agent were even given the go-ahead to talk to other teams.

Clearly, Montreal was interested in getting Laine on their roster. Still, the full contract commitment shows general manager Kent Hughes recognizes the risks involved, which is likely why the deal included the second-round draft pick. Harris was a departure for the Canadiens, especially with a lineup already crowded with young prospects.

If everything goes according to plan and Laine returns to form, this trade could turn out to be a major win for Montreal. Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 215 pounds, Laine was initially drafted second overall in 2016. He made a strong impression by scoring 36 goals in his rookie season, followed by 44 the next year. Despite his health issues, he’s managed to find the net 66 times over his last 175 games, maintaining a scoring pace similar to that of Cole Caufield.

Originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, Laine was traded to the Blue Jackets in 2021 along with Jack Roslovic in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round draft pick.