Patrik Laine has found his new home.
The Montreal Canadiens announced they acquired Laine and a 2026 second-round draft selection from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Jordan Harris. Columbus will not retain any of Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit for the next two seasons.
The Finnish forward played in only 18 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2023-24 season, posting just nine points (6g, 3a) — well off his pace of 52 points (22g, 30a) in 55 games from the 2022-23 campaign. He entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in late January and then had shoulder surgery in June.
The 26-year-old Laine requested a trade from the Blue Jackets this summer. His contract, per Puck Pedia, holds a modified 10-team no-trade clause and he did not have the Canadiens on his list so he did not need to waive it to complete Monday’s move.
“Patrik’s made it clear that, even before all the changes this summer, he would like a fresh start someplace,” Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said in July. “We will look at it when the time comes – which hopefully is very soon – all the options. Now, I can’t rule out any options, even returning here because it takes two teams to make a trade and if there’s not a trade that makes any sense to us, then we have to just deal with what reality is.
“[Laine’s agent] Andy Scott told him multiple times that we will make sure we look at everything and know the situation, and we know Patrik’s feelings and we can find the right fit, certainly we will do that. But, if not, we’ll have to just deal with it.”
The second-overall pick from the 2016 NHL Draft started his career with three consecutive 30-or-more goal seasons, including a career-high 44 with the Winnipeg Jets during the 2017-18 campaign. His productivity has waned since then, amassing only three 20-goal-plus seasons over the last five years.
“I’m obviously super excited to go to Montreal,” Laine told Sportsnet. “I think they have a good thing going over there. Obviously, great organization – new, really great head coach. A lot of young talent and I feel like I’m at that point in my career where I can guide these young guys since I’ve been around for a few years now and seen a lot of things. Hopefully, I’ll be helpful in the locker room and on the ice and bring my expertise and the Cup to Montreal.”
Harris has played parts of the last three seasons in the NHL with the Canadiens. He got into 56 games last year, recording 14 points (3g, 11a).
The Canadiens have also signed major parts of their young core, Juraj Slafkovsky and Kaiden Guhle, to long-term extensions this offseason. Montreal has not qualified for the postseason for the past three years.
NHL.com’s Dan Rosen believed the Washington Capitals could have been in the mix to acquire Laine before Montreal secured the big winger.
