Confirmed Trade: [MTL/CBJ] Patrik Laine, '26 2nd for Jordan Harris

[notbias]

To Columbus: I like your team and your fans. I really hope Harris is a good player for you.

It's hard to contain my excitement for this deal though.

I've never seen people so happy with a cap dump before.

 

[Tanknation]

Obviously now Laine has tremendous value. Worth at least three firsts

They way it has been going for the Habs, they prob will at trade deadline.

 

[Bond]

Fair trade.
If Laine bounces back it becomes a win for the Habs.
If he doesn't, it's a win for the Blue Jackets.

Fixed it lol

 

[Master P]

sure worked well in Columbus huge market.

I guess a small market like Montreal will be just what he needs then.

 

[Viqsi]

Who cares? Dvorak is gone at the end of the season. Armia is gone also if he does nothing. If he plays like he did at the end of the season he will either be traded or kept to make up the 3rd line. Gallagher will likely be bought out when the cap hit is less.

I only bring it up because of the number of times we were told we absolutely would have to take on those contracts to trade Laine. In the end it doesn't much matter, but, well, some folks are determined to crow no matter what.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Sorry but what reality are we talking about here?

Never wanted to be in Montreal because of the press

 

[Whalers Fan]

I suppose while we're on the theme of celebrating "ha ha we were right all along" type takes it could also be pointed out that Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher are still Montreal Canadiens. Indeed, for that matter so are Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak.

Armia and Dvorak are pending UFA's, so will be gone at the end of the season at the latest.

Habs are probably stuck with Gallagher and Anderson for the remaining three years of their contracts. Those contracts were the turds Bergevin left in the toilet when he was run out of town.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I've never seen people so happy with a cap dump before.

the guy is ppg in CBJ and we got him for nothing what do you expect the reaction to be , zero risk for us even if Laine poops the bed its a nothing burger for us

 

[WarriorofTime]

He'll score a lot of goals the first year and everyone will get excited and then the cycle will repeat. That's my prediction.

 

[kylbaz]

It's a gamble I would have taken. He can still be a point per game player but can also only play 20 games.

 

[Viqsi]

If he doesn't, but Harris becomes a top-pairing defenseman, it's a win for the Blue Jackets.

Not holding my breath on that one.

 

[HuGo Sham]

the Laine to Nashville thread is pure gold..
you know who you are

 

[Stealth JD]

Bahahaha…Laine & a second for a scrub.

Laine truly had no value at that cap hit.

 

[Cynick]

I think St. Louis is exactly who Laine needs right now. Just have a hunch that he's going to help Laine find his game again.

 

[Xirik]

What’s your point?

points!

 

[Rafafouille]

Was laughed at 2 weeks ago for saying he had no value in a trade proposal that had Washington giving up a first. Now gets traded with a 2nd for a guy worth a 3rd or 4th.

He comes with his load of problems, questionable attitude but what isn't questionable in any way is the talent. Have to assume coach Vincent vouched for him if Hughes pulled the trigger so there's that. Hopefully this becomes another Kovalev for Balej. Sky high talents, work ethic questioned. Kovalev was a superb player for us, if Laine becomes Kovy#2, I'd be ecstatic. If not, free 2nd rounder for cap space we don't need. Too much congestion at D so Harris was expendable.

 

[knight23]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1825621077457813635

It's a right peak.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Idk seems fine for Montreal to try

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Never wanted to be in Montreal because of the press

Yeah we really miss out on players like PLD who want to shy away from responsibility lmao.

 

[Crede777]

Yikes... I don't like Laine much as a player/playing style but WTF is Columbus doing?

Short of doing the player a massive favor, they didn't need the cap space to sell a 2nd. Retain half and get a small asset if you really want him out.

Over the past 4 seasons, Laine has averaged less than 44 games per season and scored at a 31G/66PT pace. Guy is clearly overpaid for what he is right now and was clearly a cap dump at his current cap hit.

Solid enough deal from Montreal's perspective, though I don't think they ripped off Columbus.

Not sure why Columbus didn't retain salary on the deal and give up less to move him. Can't imagine they have any use for the cap space they freed up this upcoming season and I guess we'll see how they utilize that next year.

Because they're retaining on Wennberg and Boqvist which means they have 1 retain slot left which they're holding for Elvis.

Also they're paying Mike Babcock, Brad Larsson and Pascal Vincent. Ownership may have told Waddell no more dead money for a while.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Never wanted to be in Montreal because of the press

Not even remotely what was reported

 

[Stephen]

It's for 2 years.

Even if he stinks and leave after 2 years, the trade becomes Harris for a 2nd draft pick.

How is this a big fail?

Only downside for the Habs here is the opportunity cost on whatever they could have signed with the money they allocate to Laine. It’s not much, it’s not nothing but that’s what they’ve given up.

 

[jrom]

wow this could be very good for montreal, if laine can return to form.

I have a question for habs fans, is it likely that they play both dach and newhook top 6 with one being RW, or are they gonna go Suzuki-Newhook-Dach down the middle.

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf made great progress over the second half of the season. If Laine - Newhook - Dach can turn it up than that gives montreal a good offensive second line. Laine can really excel as a goal scorer if he can find his footing

not to mention the price wasn't too bad neither is the term of laine if this doesn't pan out, all around good trade for montreal IMO

Suzuki / Dach / Dvorak / Evans as center Line (before injuries…)

 

[Melrose Munch]

Good deal for Montreal

Laine needs to bounce back this year or he'll be on the way out.

 

[Davo Ikinzom]

I only bring it up because of the number of times we were told we absolutely would have to take on those contracts to trade Laine. In the end it doesn't much matter, but, well, some folks are determined to crow no matter what.

Why are you calling out MTL fans? You thought Laine was gonna return a 1st.