Last season former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent made Patrik Laine a healthy scratch not long after Laine entered the NHL’s Players Assistance Program, Laine through his agent requested a trade. Blue Jackets GM, Don Waddell was not interested in retaining any of Laine’s $8.7M due this season and next. In order to make a deal Columbus needed a team with cap space, enter Montreal which has plenty of space.
The official deal is Patrik Laine and a 2026 second-round draft pick went to Montreal, Columbus received defenseman Jordan Harris. This is a win for both parties, Montreal gets a top-six forward and Columbus gets help for the blueline.
Given the past few seasons in which the Blue Jackets fired Brad Larsen, hired Mike Babcock, fired Babcock, hired Pascal Vincent fired Vincent and long-time GM Jarmo Kekalainen, hired Don Waddell, and new coach Dean Evason you can hardly blame them for wanting to jettison Laine before things got worse.
Patrik Laine never found consistency in Columbus and grew frustrated. The straw that broke the relationship was the healthy scratch which Laine was vocal about to the media. Don Waddell said he wants players who want to be in Columbus and said that he would honor Laine’s request, which he did.
Jordan Harris was drafted by the Canadians in 2018. At 24 years old Harris has been steady in his development and can play a bottom or top-six role. Harris is the type of player who is young and skilled and can play both sides to make a mark in Columbus. Harris will be in the bottom four most nights this season.
Graphic Credit: Montreal Canadiens
