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Patrik Laine trade: Who among Canadiens & Blue Jackets won the exchange?
Finnish forward Patrik Laine is now a member of the Montreal Canadiens, Sportsnet reports.
The Columbus Blue Jackets sent Patrik Laine and a second round pick to the Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris. The Blue Jackets did not retain any money. The deal was basically Laine for Harris, and the second-round pick was sent to Montreal as a "thank you" for taking on Laine’s entire cap hit.
In short, the Habs win this trade hands down; and this deal could be the steal of the century for the Montreal Canadiens.
If Laine returns to any form similar to the one he showed in Winnipeg, as a 40-goal scorer, the Habs would have nabbed one of the best wingers in the NHL at a bargain basement price.
But it’s also worth pointing out that Laine is a huge question mark at this point of his career. He is coming off shoulder surgery to repair a broken clavicle. He hit the injured list in mid-December 2023, then suffered a setback while rehabbing in late January 2024. He eventually missed the remainder of the season as he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Monday’s deal allows Laine to get another fresh start. Joining the Habs relieves an immense amount of pressure off his shoulders since he will no longer be expected to produce at an elite level.
Instead, Laine will be looked upon to contribute as much as possible. Because expectations are quite low, he should get a chance to slowly ease back into the NHL game.
Who won the Patrik Laine trade?
It’s too early to call this trade as there are many moving parts to it; but from the looks of it, the Canadiens have an edge. They got a top six winger and a second round pick in exchange for a depth defenseman.
Harris was a third round pick for Montreal in 2018. Standing at 5-feet-11 and weighing 180 pounds, Harris is a bit undersized considering his limited offensive upside. He spent the last two seasons with the Canadiens and in 56 games last season, he scored only three goals and accumulated 14 points.
As it stands, Harris should play in Columbus’ bottom pairing unless he gets sent down to the AHL to start the season.
As for Laine, he should immediately jump into the Canadiens’ top six. While his health may be a concern, the Habs would need to assess where he stands physically. If he requires more time to get back into shape, he could start the season in the minors on a conditioning stint.
It remains to be seen if Laine returns to form this season. Nevertheless, the Habs win this deal without either player playing a single shift. The second round pick alone should be enough to tip the scales in their favor.
But if Laine flourishes, the Habs will come out as bandits, robbing the Blue Jackets blindly.
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