Welcome to Montreal, Patrik

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has gone three for three with big acquisitions over the last three offseasons.

First, there was Kirby Dach at the 2022 NHL draft, which shook the audience. Then Alex Newhook just ahead of the 2023 Draft, in hopes of adding some speed and versatility to the lineup. And now, after what has been a relatively quiet offseason, Hughes cooked up quite the trade, bringing in a massive piece for the top six.

Patrik Laine brings a blend of size, skill and smooth skating for a big man, but he also brings another lethal weapon to the Canadiens lineup. He can shoot the puck with the league's best from anywhere in the offensive zone in an array of different ways. His one-timer on the power play is particularly dangerous, but he can pick corners from a standstill and deke with the best of them before using his quick release to flip the puck past the goalie.

Jordan Harris will be missed, there is no denying that he played a big role with the Canadiens, bringing a level of confidence and poise beyond his years. Unfortunately for Harris, he fell victim to the Canadiens immense left defence depth. The Blue Jackets have got themselves a very good player, though Laine is a huge addition for the Habs.

Laine brings the whole package

With Laine, the Canadiens have a shoot-first mentality winger, whose frame makes him the biggest forward on the team. At 6'5" and 216 lbs, the former second overall selection in the 2016 draft, will provide the team with a dual threat of goal scoring. Cole Caufield, if anything will benefit from teams trying to take away Laine, so he should find more opportunity.

Montreal hasn't had the option of icing two lines with the ability to score nearly every shift. Teams will have to gameplan for two high-quality goalscorers and even on the best of nights, there is a good chance that Caufield and Laine will both keep the goal light on. Montreal's biggest need heading into the offseason was adding an elite talent to the team, they did that with Laine and hopes are that Ivan Demidov will be another next year.

If Laine wants a spotlight, then he has got it and, he will be appreciated by the Bell Centre faithful, who has longed for elite goalscoring talent. If Winnipeg and Columbus didn't make a fit, that is totally fine, Montreal has some great support pieces that will benefit Laine. At just 26 years old, Laine is in his prime and with health and determination to get back to his scoring ways, the Habs are in for a treat.