Laine Trade Goes Down; Blue Jackets & Canadiens Hook Up

The Pittsburgh Penguins were probably not a serious contender for Columbus Blue Jackets sniper Patrik Laine, but from the outside, it sure seemed to make good sense. The NHL trade rumors came to an end Monday afternoon, but instead of the Penguins getting the potentially high-total scorer, it was the Montreal Canadiens who gave up very little to get the trade done.

Multiple reports indicate the Columbus Blue Jackets sent Laine and a second-round pick to Montreal for young defenseman Jordan Harris.

Montreal Hockey Now: LAINE SURPRISE! Canadiens Trade for Former 40-Goal Scorer

To put the Canadiens’ offer in context, Harris, 24, was among several defensemen set to battle for ice time this season and was projected as a seventh d-man, if not an AHL defender.

And Columbus included a second-round pick to make it happen.

Last season, shoulder injuries and entering the NHL player assistance program limited Laine to just 18 games. He scored six goals with nine points. Reports indicate Montreal will absorb all of Laine’s $8.7 million salary cap hit in each of the next two seasons before Laine’s contract expires.

Laine projects to play on the Canadiens’ second line, but that’s secondary to the young team in the midst of a rebuild, adding a former 40-goal scorer.

For Columbus, the saga ends. Laine played four seasons in Columbus but didn’t deliver on the immense promise for which they acquired him. Laine scored only 64 goals over the last four seasons. The Blue Jackets remain in rebuilding mode under new president of hockey operations/GM Don Waddell.