Patrik Laine has officially requested a trade from CBJ: Target for the Habs?
According to renowned Pierre LeBrun, forward Patrik Laine has officially requested a trade, and it's significant for the Montreal Canadiens.
This is a major development in the trade market.
Laine's name was already frequently mentioned in discussions, but now it's confirmed. He will be traded by Columbus, and it remains to be seen where he will play next season.
So, a very big name is entering the NHL trade market.
Patrik Laine traded to the Montreal Canadiens? A possibility to watch for Kent Hughes
He could certainly interest Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens, given his profile is similar to Kirby Dach's. Both are incredibly talented players who have been hampered by injuries.
Laine could be appealing to the Habs because he will likely be cheaper to acquire compared to a Martin Necas or a Trevor Zegras, and he possibly has the highest potential among these three players.
Patrik Laine, 26 years old, 6 feet 5 inches, and 215 pounds, was the second overall pick in 2016.
In the past few seasons, he has recorded:
- 9 points in 18 games
- 52 points in 55 games
- 56 points in 56 games
Additionally, he has consistently produced at a 30-goal-per-season pace.
We should also remember his two phenomenal early NHL seasons, during which he scored 36 goals (at 18 years old) and 44 goals (at 19 years old).
These are remarkable achievements, and such talent does not suddenly disappear.
Patrik Laine is under contract until 2026, with an annual salary of $8.7 million, so the Blue Jackets might need to retain some of his salary to maximize his trade value.
A situation to watch closely.
| POLL | ||
Would you trade the 26th overall pick, Justin Barron, and Owen Beck for Patrik Laine? | ||
| Yes | 170 | 23.5 % |
| No | 553 | 76.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
