Canadiens acquire disgruntled forward, pick, from Blue Jackets

The Montreal Canadiens apparently think they can fix Patrik Laine.

Montreal acquired the disgruntled 26-year-old forward and a 2026 second-round pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris. NHL Network insider Elliotte Friedman first broke the news .

Friedman reported Monday that Columbus would not retain any of Laine's salary as part of the trade.

Laine requested a move in June after struggling in recent years since being traded by the Winnipeg Jets to Columbus in 2021 , posting less than 30 points in parts of four seasons with the Blue Jackets.

It wasn't always so for Laine, a first round selection by Winnipeg in 2016, who began his career setting several franchise records and finding himself amongst the league's top scorers.

However, injuries played a large part in his sub-standard stretch as of late, as he hit the injured list over two dozen times in his tenures with Winnipeg and Columbus.

But now the Finnish international will have a new opportunity with a young Montreal team in need of veteran presence.

Perhaps another change in scenery will be just what he needs to revive what was once a promising career.