Trade #2 - Patrik Laine
Canadiens Receive: | Blue Jackets Receive: |
|---|---|
Patrik Laine | Jordan Harris |
2026 2nd Round Pick |
This one is probably a little controversial, since Patrik Laine is a polarizing player. Either you see the offensive upside and elite shot, or the lack of defense and occasional lackadaisical play. There are also the perceived off-ice issues and the rocky nature of his departure from his last two teams.
Laine was part of the 2016 NHL draft, and there was genuine conversation on whether the Toronto Maple Leafs would pick Auston Matthews or Laine first overall. Toronto would take Matthews, which would turn out to be the correct decision in the long run.
But the first two years were pretty neck-and-neck between Laine and Matthews. Matthews had that legendary NHL debut, and out-scored Laine as rookies, but Laine actually out-scored Matthews as a sophomore, and outplayed Matthews head-to-head in one of the most thrilling rookie showdowns ever.
However, cracks began to show, and the relationship between the Jets and Laine, and the production began to slow. After just four seasons and diminishing returns, Laine was traded from the Jets to the Blue Jackets.
In Columbus, a different issue began to arise. In the four seasons with Columbus, the most games Laine played in a season were 56.
However, Laine did produce very well when he did play, scoring at a point-per-game pace in 2021-22 and 2022-23. But the defensive woes continued, and his last season in Columbus was only 18 games long.
It was clear that Laine would not play in Columbus again, but his stock was at an all-time low. A player that has very high upside and whose value is as low as its ever been? Sounds perfect for Gorton, Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
After a pre-season injury, Laine made his debut for the Canadiens on December 3rd. And he scored in the most Laine way. From the dot on the powerplay. And he kept scoring. And kept scoring.
Despite playing just 52 games, Laine scored 20 goals and finished 4th on the team for goals. He also finished 4th in power-play goals in the entire league, despite playing 20-30 games less than everyone around him.
His production began to slow later in the season, as he dealt with some injuries which would keep him out of the end of the playoffs.
But Laine wasn't just the only thing the Canadiens got out of the trade. The Blue Jackets had to add a sweetener for the Canadiens to take Laine, and a second-round pick isn't nothing. We won't know what will happen for a long time with that draft pick, but remember, Lane Hutson was a second-round pick.
The Canadiens gave up a young, promising defender in Jordan Harris for Laine. This isn't too much of a price for the Canadiens, as they have a plethora of young defenders and a crowded blueline. What the Habs needed was scoring, which Laine brought.
Unfortunately, Harris started struggling with Columbus' established blueline, and only played 33 games last season. He still has potential, but was definitely excess goods in Montreal.
Laine still has one more year on his contract, and time will tell whether he will resign. It does seem that both team and player fit well, and would like to continue. Laine is still just 27 years old, which fits Montreal's window, and he brings much-needed scoring.
If Laine resigns and continues putting pucks in the net, this is a slam dunk. Not only is Laine a great offensive weapon for the Habs, but they didn't give much up to get him compared to Dach and Newhook.