The Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Patrik Laine in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday afternoon, along with a second-round pick.
In return, the Tricolore gave up defender Jordan Harris to the Blue Jackets.
Patrik Laine has been cleared to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, it was announced in late July. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell took the opportunity to confirm that the team would continue to explore trade options for Laine, who had already requested a trade from Columbus.
The forward had joined the player assistance programme in January while recovering from a broken collarbone suffered a month earlier.
As for Jordan Harris, he scored eight goals and collected 24 assists in 131 NHL games, all with the Bleu-blanc-rouge. He was selected in the third round, 71e in total, by the Canadiens during the 2018 NHL Draft.
“We want players who want to be a part of the Blue Jackets, and Patrik has made it clear that he feels a change of scenery is best for him,” Don Waddell said in a statement. “We were able to acquire a great young player in Jordan Harris while maintaining financial flexibility in this deal, which was very important to us. We wish Patrik all the best.”
Laine, 26, had nine points (6-3) in 18 games with the Blue Jackets last season.
In eight NHL seasons, the 6-foot-5 (1.96 m), 204-pound (92 kg) player scored 204 goals and added 184 assists in 480 games with the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Jackets.
The Tampere, Finland native was drafted second overall by the Jets in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.