Confirmed with Link: Patrik Laine and 2026 2nd round pick acquired from the Blue Jackets in exchange for Jordan Harris

[Paddy17]

Great deal - this will be the most offensively talented team I’ve seen in a long long time

And think about it... we have friggin' Demidov coming in next year! Ivan Demidov!

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I don't know if it has been said in this thread but Habs were the only team willing and able to trade for Laine without retention.

 

[Lockin17]

Laine is now our tallest player...

Love that trade, kind of took me off guard getting a 2nd on top of that.

Good luck to Harris though, best for him.

 

[BargainBinSpecial]

Quite the plot twist in the all encompassing PLD saga.

Yup, considering PLD was traded for Laine straight up. MTL still ends up with one.

 

[Habaneros]

 

[nyhabsfan]

The 2 most important tasks this summer were adding a top 6 forward and trading away some of our dmen

Hughes added Demidov and Laine, and traded Kovacevic and Harris

Awesome job

Hague also looks like a stud.
Can't wait until training camp

Looking ahead; possible lines
Caufield---Suzuki-- Demidov (give it time)
Liane--Dach---Slaf (Slaf is the smallest on that line)
xxxx--- Newhook--Roy
Deputy---Beck---Tuch

Hague, 2 2025 1sts and a few others so competition will be great!

Backend
Ghule, Huston, WiFi, Logan, Rienbacher, Struble

Fowler
Monty

Looks like the beginning of a very competitive team to this guy who is being following my beloved Habs for over 50 Years!!!!!!!!

 

[Shred]

The word "obviously" should be banned from press conferences. Needless to say, any statement that is prefaced with that word could have been left unsaid.

I think he seems smarter than the average hockey player and did a good job answering the lackluster questions. I'm optimistic, got a good feeling about this guy. Thought it made so much sense to get him to Montreal the whole time.

 

[BargainBinSpecial]

I don't know if it has been said in this thread but Habs were the only team willing and able to trade for Laine without retention.

Hugo got that second because CLB didn't want to retain. The Jackets just wanted to get rid of Laine, and as soon as possible.

 

[ReHabs]

I don't know if it has been said in this thread but Habs were the only team willing and able to trade for Laine without retention.

This is why so many of us were so keen on Laine. It was an optimal decision to take advantage of the opportunity.

Laine at 50% had many suitors, Laine at 100% had only one or two.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

Suck it Dryden!

 

[Scintillating10]

It's us getting the 2nd

Laine + 2nd
for
Harris

Harris for a 2nd I can see. It's about even. But that's a lot of money for 55 points. He's just under 9m for 2 years. Going to take us out of free agency next year. Especially a guy injury prone, terrible defensive and coming out of abuse program.

Hughes must plan on righting Laine, retain half and flip him at deadline. Getting a major return,

 

[BargainBinSpecial]

The word "obviously" should be banned from press conferences. Needless to say, any statement that is prefaced with that word could have been left unsaid.

I think he seems smarter than the average hockey player and did a good job answering the lackluster questions. I'm optimistic, got a good feeling about this guy. Thought it made so much sense to get him to Montreal the whole time.

He seems super excited to change scenery. Something on that CLB team feels rotten. Journalists kinda wanted him to spill the beans, but he just said good words about that franchise. Although, it didn't feel sincere. Hopefully, the beef is over and he turns it around.

 

[Vachon23]

OH!!!! I forgot! No more Burrows! This day just keeps on getting better and better.

MSL was already running the PP the past years

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'm hoping that the environment MSL has fostered and the low acquisition cost will give Laine cover to find his game if he's not consistent.

Yeah. Hopefully it works out but my expectations are low. To me this is a depth move with some upside. I’m not expecting much but would love to be surprised. For what we paid it’s worth the risk.

 

[overlords]

How the f*** do you have a job in sport media and can't speak basic english for shit

There are two hockey related gifs I really lament not being able to track down anymore. Your post reminded me of the one where Carey Price had the interview with Luc Gelinas ( I think) and his terrible english, and Carey ends up walking away with this completely bewildered look on his face

 

[BLONG7]

Shut up Eric you f***ing puppet.

These guys, Engels, Friedman, Dreger types think they know what's going on and we all know they don't know any more than any of us who can easily speculate and get stuff right or wrong......

But they get paid to do this stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 LOL

 

[Habs10Habs]

For those of you that are still against, or are having doubts. It's looks like HuGo along with Marty did do their due diligence on Laine. Even going as far as getting permission to see his medical reports.

I didn't expect anything less. But it's good to see that we have a management team, that doesn't do things half assed.

 

[Rapala]

I cant think of a better coach or management group than the ones we have now to ensure the spotlight and media don't get to Laine. From Winnipeg to Columbus, Laine hasn't really been in a market with a healthy locker room or off ice situation. Let's see what he can do when he's put in the right situation to succeed.

Yup I agree.
If Laine can't find a way to fit in with our group he won't find it anywhere.
He's going to have to find his game and put out both ways.
Our Game as Hughes calls it is a team first approach.
I hope it works out for him.

 

[BargainBinSpecial]

Harris for a 2nd I can see. It's about even. But that's a lot of money for 55 points. He's just under 9m for 2 years. Going to take us out of free agency next year. Especially a guy injury prone, terrible defensive and coming out of abuse program.

Hughes must plan on righting Laine, retain half and flip him at deadline. Getting a major return,

I think that's the plan. They tried hard but UFAs didn't sign here as usual. Laine is a gamble and Kent will try to maximize his value à la Monahan. This is how you build a franchise. I mean I have never seen another GM pull moves like this. BargainBin tried and got Armia out of it, but Kent is on another level. Stock up on high picks by going after top young players who have hit slumps and forcing the hands of other teams.

 

[Sagikev]

And think about it... we have friggin' Demidov coming in next year! Ivan Demidov!

A REAL top 6 is a possibility as soon as this season if we stay healthy and most our players take a step forward... A real top 6 is almost guaranteed as soon as next season. Time to be excited folks, hopefully everything works out

 

[jj cale]

It's just so nice and a relief to finally have a competent management team that has vision and a plan instead of the lateral moves, bad contracts, bad trades, bad drafting and throw something at the wall and hope it sticks philosophy hoping to just sneak into the playoffs garbage management we had been saddled with for far too long.

Fellow Habs fans................this team is finally going somewhere.

 

[Andy]

I think that's the plan. They tried hard but UFAs didn't sign here as usual. Laine is a gamble and Kent will try to maximize his value à la Monahan. This is how you build a franchise. I mean I have never seen another GM pull moves like this. BargainBin tried and got Armia out of it, but Kent is on another level. Stock up on high picks by going after top young players who have hit slumps and forcing the hands of other teams.

Monahan, Dach, Newhook, Laine, Matheson all traded to the habs in 3 seasons. That is so impressive especially when you look at what we gave up in total to get these players.

Not to mention all the first round picks.

 

[Habs13]

Can't wait... drop the puck! Man, if we get the Winnipeg version of Laine, we are golden!

 

[Lockin17]

i would try this as a 3rd line

Laine-Newhook-Armia

 

[ReHabs]

Harris for a 2nd I can see. It's about even. But that's a lot of money for 55 points. He's just under 9m for 2 years. Going to take us out of free agency next year. Especially a guy injury prone, terrible defensive and coming out of abuse program.

Hughes must plan on righting Laine, retain half and flip him at deadline. Getting a major return,

This summer has nothing left to spend on, so Laine is clearly not an issue. His cap hit and salary are functionally irrelevant.

Next summer will see Dvorak, Armia, and Savard off the payroll + Carey Price enter his final year. We can sign their replacements and even a big name UFA next summer without much of a problem.

The Habs can also use buyouts on Anderson or Gallagher if they really feel like it would be worth the effort.

Cap space isn’t our problem, it was talent. But with Laine, Denison, Hutson and Reinbacher not yet on the roster… it seems that the talent issue is being addressed.