Blue Jackets' GM On Patrik Laine: 'You Hope For The Best, But...'

Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell shared his thoughts on the trade that sent Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens with Aaron Portzline of The Athletic on August 19 , making it clear he will be better safe than sorry by moving on from the disgruntled forward.

Waddell, who took charge of the Blue Jackets after the franchise traded for Laine, shed light on the complexities of the situation and potential challenges that influenced the decision.

The deal sent Laine and a 2026 second-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris and, according to Waddell, helped avoid a potentially difficult situation brewing in the locker room.

“It solves what potentially could have been an issue, knowing that the player didn’t want to be here, and his teammates knew that, too,” Waddell told The Athletic. “I don’t know how it would have gone if he had to come (back to Columbus).

"You hope for the best. But how things were last year (for Laine in Columbus), I’m not sure that would have been the case.”

Laine’s tenure with the Blue Jackets had been marked by injuries and inconsistencies. He played only 18 games in the 2023-24 season, missing significant time due to a fractured collarbone and a stint in the NHL/NHL Players’ Association assistance program. Laine’s best season with the Blue Jackets came years ago, in 2021–22, when he scored 26 goals and 56 points in 56 games.

Laine's frustration was evident when he was scratched from the lineup for a game against Philadelphia, a decision made by former coach Pascal Vincent, which Laine later described as “the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me,” per Portzline's story.

The decision to trade Laine aligns with Waddell’s broader strategy of cleaning house, moving on from players who have struggled with injuries or inconsistency, including Adam Boqvist, Alexandre Texier, and Jake Bean.

By trading Laine, the Blue Jackets have freed up $18.2 million in cap space, putting them in a strong position heading into the season in case they can keep retooling their roster. According to PuckPedia , the Blue Jackets have the third-largest projected cap space entering next season.

Related: Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine Stuck in Limbo With Lack of Clarity