- ABC News
- August 19, 2024
Just days after it became public he wanted to leave, Patrik Laine is no longer a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets as the winger was traded on Monday to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris. The Blue Jackets received a 2026 second-round pick in addition to Harris and will not retain any of Laine's salary in the deal. Laine, 26, has two years left on his contract worth $8.7 million annually. Laine's future with the Blue Jackets had been in question for quite some time. The speculation further intensified last week when Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell told TSN 1050 in Toronto that Laine was vocal about not wanting to play for the Blue Jackets anymore. Waddell reiterated Laine's desire to leave in a statement released at the time of the trade. "We want players that want to be Blue Jackets and Patrik made it clear that he thought a change of scenery was best for him," Waddell said....