With the exception of a few significant re-signings, the Montreal Canadiens had remained rather quiet during this off-season. On Monday, they acquired Patrik Laine via a deal from the Columbus Blue Jackets to make their off-season debut instead of signing a free agent. The Habs sent defender Jordan Harris to Columbus in order to acquire him. Montreal was also awarded a second-round pick in 2026.
Laine scored 36 goals in his first season with the Winnipeg Jets and 44 the following year, but he hasn’t been able to match those totals since. In 2018–19, he scored 30 goals for the final time.
During his three-and-a-half-year tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets, when he played a high of 55 games, he did participate in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He only appeared in 18 games the previous season. He might find it easier to play the game again with a change of location and a close-knit team like the Canadiens.
When it came down to make the final decision to target Sebastian Aho in the summer of 2019, Marc Bergevin had Laine available to sign to an offer sheet. In an attempt to reestablish the Finnish sniper as an offensive weapon, the Canadiens recruit him five years later.
With two seasons left on his deal worth $8.7 million a year, he will be the highest paid player on the Canadiens team in 2024–25. The agreement does not include any pay retention.
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