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

[LOFIN]

Who cares about his next contract? You don't have to try to keep him long term for him to have value as a rental.

Let's just speculate for fun, and go way beyond to the future. If he's a success in Montreal, it probably isn't outlandish to think that he would sign a reasonable contract extension if he's finally in his happy place after 10 years in the league.

 

[Whalers Fan]

Columbus paid this guy $9mil to play <20 games last year and got out of the contract with zero retention. They are the clear winners of this deal. They will still suck but no retention is crazy.

It's almost impossible for the Habs not to come out winners in this trade, regardless of whether it works out for Columbus. The early 2nd round pick for Jordan Harris was probably a slight overpay by the Jackets, so at worst all this cost Montreal was some unused salary cap space if Laine completely flops. If Laine can turn things around, the Habs get a useful top6 forward still in his prime who can either be re-signed in two years or traded for some assets.

 

[Tuggy]

Let's just speculate for fun, and go way beyond to the future. If he's a success in Montreal, it probably isn't outlandish to think that he would sign a reasonable contract extension if he's finally in his happy place after 10 years in the league.

I don't think it's crazy to think to that. I watched his full 26 minute interview (which you can find here Laine ‘super excited’ for new opportunity in Montreal | Montréal Canadiens ) and I get the feeling his focus is more on trying to win. He is saying all the right things and seems like he's in a good head space.

 

[CBJx614]

But what good is that capspace going to do for them in the next two years? And vice versa, how does the Laine caphit hurt the Canadiens during the next two years, when they are essentially just trying to make the playoffs? Even if they miss the playoffs this year, it won't be a disaster as long as it's close.

Waddell said he was contacted by a few teams right after the deal looking to get some cap relief. By moving 9M off the books and not having an immediate need for the money they could potentially take on a bad contract and make up for not getting much back on the Laine deal.

Cap space is still an extremely valuable commodity around the league. There's multiple teams who aren't under the cap right now.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Let's just speculate for fun, and go way beyond to the future. If he's a success in Montreal, it probably isn't outlandish to think that he would sign a reasonable contract extension if he's finally in his happy place after 10 years in the league.

Sure, but my point is that he doesn't have to re-sign with the Habs for him to be a valuable asset. A player with his offensive abilities @4.35M could earn a huge haul at the deadline from a contender with a mediocre PP.

 

[I Hate Philadelphia]

It's almost impossible for the Habs not to come out winners in this trade, regardless of whether it works out for Columbus. The early 2nd round pick for Jordan Harris was probably a slight overpay by the Jackets, so at worst all this cost Montreal was some unused salary cap space if Laine completely flops. If Laine can turn things around, the Habs get a useful top6 forward still in his prime who can either be re-signed in two years or traded for some assets.

His prime?? His best numbers were 6/7 seasons ago and he's never come close to even sniffing his numbers from his best season in 2017-18. Let's be real here.

 

[LOFIN]

Waddell said he was contacted by a few teams right after the deal looking to get some cap relief. By moving 9M off the books and not having an immediate need for the money they could potentially take on a bad contract and make up for not getting much back on the Laine deal.

Cap space is still an extremely valuable commodity around the league. There's multiple teams who aren't under the cap right now.

This is true, you can try to pick up a few more picks doing that.

 

[Hins77]

His prime?? His best numbers were 6/7 seasons ago and he's never come close to even sniffing his numbers from his best season in 2017-18. Let's be real here.

He is still only 26 years old. And had pace of 28, 32 and 38 goals the last 3 seasons. If he can be healthy, a 30 goalscorer will be more than Welcome.

 

[LOFIN]

His prime?? His best numbers were 6/7 seasons ago and he's never come close to even sniffing his numbers from his best season in 2017-18. Let's be real here.

Yeah, because he has been injured, not because his play has dramatically dropped off. His goal scoring pace hasn't been the same since Winnipeg, but he was actually pacing for more points over 82 games with Columbus than what he actually scored in Winnipeg over 82.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but he seems to have the top speed but lack in explosion/acceleration?

Yeah I would agree with that. He's faster than he looks because he takes really long strides. His problem is general intensity/drive. Patty always struck me as a player who needs to play "pissed off" to be effective. Unfortunately that doesn't go well with weak mental fortitude.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

We shall see, good luck

 

[Miller Time]

Only habs fans?

Seems to be... Go read any trade thread involving Habs.

They are flooded with those types of posts.

There are in particular a few posters who seem to lurk/troll every single Habs related thread and post the same crap in every one. It's a weird obsession.

 

[frederixx]

Habs will be paying $20mil for Laine, Gallagher and Anderson to score a combined 35-40 goals

They can easily afford it and still have some money left. It's like laughin at Warren Buffet for eating a 50$ burger. They only have money coming off the books starting next year.
I guess we could make fun of their actual roster and how they are a lottery team (for now), but certainly not how Hugues is managing his finance

 

[waffledave]

There is almost zero risk in this for Montreal. I don't understand people trying to find problems with this trade. It's virtually no downside with massive potential upside.

 

[Eco]

I'm not sure how people can think this is bad in any way for the Habs.

We'd have accepted a 2nd for Harris straight up, but add in a former #2OA pick with his size and shot and absolutely nothing to lose after being miserable in Columbus and then entering the Player Assistance Program?

This is a homerun for Hughes and just another step in the right direction to get us back in mix for playoffs and ultimately the SCF.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Hughes has really done a terrific job as the Habs GM

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Yeah, because he has been injured, not because his play has dramatically dropped off. His goal scoring pace hasn't been the same since Winnipeg, but he was actually pacing for more points over 82 games with Columbus than what he actually scored in Winnipeg over 82.

Also I doubt hughes gets bent in any Laine contract negotiations. Not really worried about that , (sorry i quoted the right person but the wrong post of yours)

 

[Voight]

Lineup:

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Laine - Dvorak - Demidov
Newhook - Dach - Roy
Evans - A.Koivu - Armia

Laine play first line and second line

Laine/Caufield/Slafkovsky are the team.

Montreal have very talented team.

Montreal will reach the playoff race.

Highly highly doubt Koivu will be in the NHL this year.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Montreal just needs to get a star goaltender and I think they're set.

 

[ZDH]

This isn't going to go well...

Practically no risk though so whatever.

 

[SensontheRush]

Gross trade for CBJ.

Harris is not a reliable NHLer. Was very clearly a weak-link on MTL and is an addition by subtraction.

 

[Eco]

Montreal just needs to get a star goaltender and I think they're set.

Give us a few more years to grow and get all this young talent more time to grow.

Fowler has the potential to be that star Goaltender, and by the time he's ready, we should be done with Gally, Christian, and Anderson's bloated contracts.

 

[Voight]

Going in the player assistance program definitely hurts player’s value. It shouldn’t but it does. Hopefully this doesn’t discourage players from entering the program.

As does peaking at 20 yet still being paid like an elite forward at 26.

 

[Petes2424]

You make it sound like he scored 14 on average over full seasons. If Laine stay healthy it's unlikely he doesn't get 30+, if he score 14 and get injured then it's bad luck. There's some risk factor for Montreal but not his goalscoring ability, it's the least of Laine's problems.

Those are full seasons for him. We’re not talking one, two or even three years. He hasn’t played a full season in a very long time.

That’s who he now is. There’s nothing to suggest that’s gonna change. It’s like he just doesn’t enjoy playing the game. No shrink is gonna change that. Even now, wanting another fresh start.

There’s huge questions with him.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I don't think it's crazy to think to that. I watched his full 26 minute interview (which you can find here Laine ‘super excited’ for new opportunity in Montreal | Montréal Canadiens ) and I get the feeling his focus is more on trying to win. He is saying all the right things and seems like he's in a good head space.

I could be wrong but I don't think I am. Fans think Montreal was a bad option but I think it's a great fit for both Laine and the Habs. He's not coming here to be on an island by himself (like Drouin).

Laine knows what is expected coming to Montreal and he wanted to come. That means a lot and I agree, he seems very focused on what he has to do as a player to produce and also how to fit within the Habs core.