Star winger Laine and 2026 pick traded to Montreal Canadiens for defenceman Harris
CTV
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired star forward Patrik Laine and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenceman Jordan Harris.
After nearly a year of challenges on and off the ice, Patrik Laine is ready for a fresh start.
Laine was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, along with a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft, in a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenceman Jordan Harris.
The move comes after he broke his clavicle last December and then spent six months in the league's player assistance program to address his mental health issues.
"When you're not enjoying whatever you do, you're probably not going to be able to perform, and that's where I've been at," said Laine in a video call with media from Florida. "I haven't been enjoying myself for a while, but now I'm happier than ever, off the ice, obviously. I've done a lot of work on myself to get me back to this point where I'm actually super excited about playing, in a new place, with new teammates, in a new city."
Laine broke his clavicle on Dec. 14, then had an undisclosed setback delaying his recovery from the injury on Jan. 27.
He entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program the next day, saying on social media that he wanted to prioritize his mental health, and was cleared to return on July 26.
