Turning Blue
At the same time, a very similar story was unfolding with Columbus and their young centre, Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois was taken one place below Laine in 2016 and also had a good start to his career, which had quickly petered out.
It was clear that both young players needed a change of scenery, and so the Jets sent Laine and Jack Roslovic to the Blue Jackets for Dubois and a third round pick. It was a move looking to jump-start both young players careers, and either help push Winnipeg over the hump to further playoff success, or for the Blue Jackets to see any sort of success as a franchise.
To say Dubois time in Winnipeg was tumultuous would be an understatement. His time as a Jet was marred with questions on his output and drive. He would eventually sign a big deal in Los Angeles, only to not make it past one year before being dealt to the Washington Capitals.
Laine's time in Columbus was slightly better, while the team was much worse. The Columbus Blue Jackets have never been a particularly good team, despite all efforts and good drafting. The closest the team has been to good was when they loaded up as a low seed in the playoffs and knocked off the best regular season team of all time in Tampa Bay, and nothing else of note.
Laine's time in Columbus was odd to say the least. He hasn't played more than 56 games in a single season as a Blue Jacket, however, his numbers while he plays have been pretty great. His first full season in Columbus he scored 56 points in 56 games, and was just 3 points below a point-per-game in his next season.
Last season was basically a wash. Laine only played 18 games, due to a myriad of injuries and off ice issues, and it was clear once again that Laine needed a change of scenery.