Canadiens acquire F Patrik Laine from Blue Jackets in trade

The Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Patrik Laine and a 2026 second-round draft pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris.

The trade brings Laine, 26, to a Montreal team positioning itself for a playoff push after their defeat in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final was followed by three consecutive last-place finishes in the Atlantic Division.

Laine, a native of Finland, only played in 18 games during the 2023-24 season due to a clavicle fracture and a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He tallied six goals and three assists in his final season with Columbus.

The Blue Jackets acquired him from the Winnipeg Jets early in the 2020-21 season. Laine was a rising star in his time in Winnipeg, with his most successful season being in 2017-18, when he played in all 82 games and recorded a career-high 44 goals and 26 assists for a total of 70 points.

Laine has accumulated 388 points (204 goals, 184 assists) in 480 games between Winnipeg and Columbus.

Harris, 24, has played in parts of three seasons with the Canadiens and has tallied 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 131 appearances.